I think the deal is somewhat fair, but my guess is EDM would be looking to add, not make a lateral move.

Kane been in a slump the past 17 games Jake is what a 1 p/g Kane is what .6p/g so it is add. I would say. With not a huge cost

In a vacuum, I'd do this deal as EDM even if the pick were a 2nd. Outside of said vacuum, I'd still be tempted but would likely decline.

Pens are not trading Jake for a worse, older player and mediocre pick...

In what way is this fair and a "lateral" move? Kane isn't even close to making the type of impact Jake does. Jake has him basically doubled up in 5v5 production and overall production. This is a huge no from Pittsburgh.

Well first, you're not going to get another Jake in return for Jake, so if the Pens are forced to move you'll need to really keep your expectations in check. The Pens would be getting a legit top-six winger on an affordable hit for a few years. A player less expensive than Jake currently is, so the Pens would have room to fill out the lineup.

When I say "lateral" I'm saying that swapping players is not likely what EMD is looking to do. They're already top-heavy, so they need to ADD not swap. Is "swap" a more palatable word for you?

The drop from Guentzel to Kane is pretty significant. More than a 3rd. Probably more than a 1st

Well they're very different players and again, anyone who thinks the Pens are going to get a Jake-level forward in return is out of their minds. I'm not sure I agree completely with your tweaking. Kane is cost-controlled for another two years beyond this and that's significant value for a legit top-six forward. Now, maybe jump the 3rd to a 2nd or throw in a good prospect if they have one and I think we're close.

The truth is I wouldn't want Kane simply because he's very injury-prone, so I'm not discussing this seriously, but more-so the concept. If the Pens have to move Jake and it winds up being more of a hockey trade like this proposal, the futures part of a deal like that will not be as sexy.

Regardless, to my initial point, this trade doesn't make much sense for EDM. They need to add, not swap. Swapping only marginally improves things for them.

I agree Edm is not a destination for Guentzel. They don't need scoring, they need defense and goaltending. I see Van as a better option for Guentzel. Get a good prospect, a NHL winger, and a pick. If the Pens got Kuzmenko or Hoglander and could get them right, they could replace 60%-70% of Guentzel, get a good prospect and a pick. Van would lose a good prospect and a 1st but would gain a 30-40% boost in productivity.

There are other teams as well that make sense, but Edm is not really one of them. Kane is too large of a step down and they don't have any very interesting prospects.

Kane is more of a move like Smith. A solid tier below Guentzel