VAN takes that trade and runs away before the Pens GM sobers up and realizes what a huge mistake he made.

Edmonton has no interest in DeSmith.

I mean the biggest asset in the trade going to the Canucks is the 2nd. Poulin has shown nothing in his time in the AHL or NHL. Garland would be a solid middle 6 forward, no? I don't think he's bad, is he? I mean the only reason Canucks want to trade him is for cap space, right?

Personally I believe that Garland is good player but his cap hit is a little high, given that Bjorkstand got less I'd happily take it

Bjorkstrand is a bad comparison. The Jackets were over the cap signing Gudbranson and Gaudreau. Canucks are not

what is that trade to Winnipeg?? why would the pens do that? who is Logan neaton?

also pens would never do the VAN trade, I mean we fired hextall already

The Rust trade is a loss for the pens, but also Rust has a NMC.

That Vancouver deal is good for Pittsburgh. Garland is a strong producer at 5v5. He has 29 goals and 78 points over the last two seasons at 5v5. That would rank him 3rd on the Pens behind Crosby and Jake.

garland with that contract is not worth Poulin (former 1st round pick who will have a strong case to make the team next year) and a second round pick.

I'd take garland for a 2nd with 1mil retained.

That's where we differ. I just don't think Poulin has much value coming off a lost season where he only played 15 games. So I wasn't worried about losing him in the trade.

he might not become the top 6 winger with great scoring that us pens fans hoped, but at least he can easily be a smart 3C player who can make plays. he certainly has value imo.

WPG trade gets us out of paying Rust 5 million for the next 5 years while he still has a bit of trade value. If he's willing to waive NMC, obviously. Neaton is a flier, considering we have no goalie prospects left in the system. Take him or leave him, I don't really care.

I don't put as much stock into Poulin as you, I guess. May or may not be an average bottom 6 player, but I'm leaning towards not considering he hasn't shown us much so far and just took a year off/away from developing his game.

Rust trade is a loss in the short term but my goal was trying to move Rust while he still has some trade value. But you're right - it's all contingent on him waiving the NMC. I just see that $5 million salary becoming an issue before the contract expires.

Lowry at least brings something to the table, and it feels like either POJ or Ty Smith will have to be moved and felt like WPG would probably be more interested in the more proven NHLer.

We will see what the new management thinks, but utilizing POJ and Smith on cheap deals next season will allow them to spend on an impact forward. Rust's last few seasons will definitely be bad value, but we will be in rebuild mode then so it really won't matter.

it is ok, we have different opinions on Poulin, I guess time will tell...

but for the rust trade, honestly makes no sense. hear me out: as goalie prospect we have blomqvist who is very high on the goalies prospect lists and should be a stud. as far as rust goes, he had a down year this year sure but he alone is a better player than Lowry plus adding poj who is a perfect 3D on cheap contract makes no sense if you are in the win now mode. yes I get the contact won't be great towards the end but we should not care cuz geno and Sid will retire and we will be starting our rebuilding process by then.