Don't think it is the right move to spend almost 4M to your 3rd pairing when your 3rd line is Meyers-Eller-LOC. I don't think Bean-Schenn would be a huge upgrade over JJ-Malinski till example, while it would carry over double the caphit. Would be willing to part ways with more assets for half retained Crosby also, he is still top10 centers in the league.

I know it's Sidney Crosby, but idk if a 35 year old commands that kind of a price...

I fully agree, I think it’s a bit much, but just trying to make it sufficient for the conversation. Probably drop the 2025 1st, but Crosby is exactly what they need right now. That’s a lot of retention to take on so it would be expensive. Those 1sts are 100% quite late consider that.

Hagel fetched two firsts and two roster players, so this is just one first more plus what ever is the difference between Katchouk and Raddysh compared to Olausson, Newhook, Merkley. Doesn't seem that much of an overpayment when you compare Hagel and Crosby as players, as the term is the same.

That's not really a fair comparison. TB has proven to give up whatever assets it takes to conveniently keep their window open. Hagel trade was an overpay at the time, but he proved to be worth it, fortunately for them.

Yeah, not really comparable players, but the situations are comparable. The point I'm making is that if you can get key players for cheap cap hit, the price is going to be astronomical. What probably will reduce the payment is Crosby's NMC, so if Crosby decides that he wants to only play for Colorado, the new management in Pittsburgh probably respects it and keeps the trade modest, but not disrespectfully low.

Hagel was so expensive bcuz he was young, had potential and most importantly, was on an AMAZING contract. Sid is the 5th greatest player of all time but he's 35 and makes $8.7M...

That's true, I feel like Colorado is one of the only places he would be willing to move to, aside from maybe Boston.

He is half retained here. Don't know about you, but I'd say Crosby on 4,3x2 is more valuable than Hagel with 1,5x2. I don't think the age matters here, Crosby carries the risk of career ending injury, but at time it wasn't sure if Hagel's season was just a fluke.

Trade Girard in a better deal and go cheaper on that third pairing and no reason to think a Toews extension couldn't be done. On paper that should be more than enough for Crosby. Arguably too much at this point. The Pens however would still probably refuse it if Crosby wasn't interested in moving without him even needing to mention his NMC. He just means that much to the organisation.

Crosby NMC clause will limit the return.

If he wants out it's time for a tear down and I don't think the team would play hardball.

A 1st, a conditional 1st and a guy like newhook or a younger prospect and a roster player sounds right