Team: 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 17, 2024

Published: Mar. 18, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Obviously Bunting is not Jake Guentzel, but he does bring a style that the penguins have missed since having Patrick Hornqvist, and that's worth it's weight in Gold IMO.

Drew O'Connor and Valtteri Puustinen have really grown into their shoes this season and I think that with an equally young/quick 3C it could form a very good line.

That question becomes do either Sam Poulin or Vasili Ponomarev posses that ability? If not, I think that's one place a trade comes in during the summer to really try and find a young 3C candidate.

I know Lars Eller is older, but he's absolutely proved his worth this season and IMO is someone that should stay.

I think as most have said Smith will get traded, one year left on his deal and could still push for 40pts this season. He straight up just isn't a fit on the penguins, but I think in the right system (like Vegas) he would be a valuable piece for a playoff push.

Rakell is someone else that I think the penguins could try and move in the summer, i'm not sure who the realistic replacement there would be, but I think it could be a possibility.

I'm truly not sure where you look to replace Guentzel. Obviously 40 goal guys don't grow on trees. The UFA options aren't plenty, and I'm not sure where you can look for trades so i'd be open and curious to hear various thoughts.

I think trading to Lundell could be in the books, FLA to me seems like they will be extremely cash strapped *assuming* that Montour and Reinhart both get their paydays. I think a third with DOC and Puusty could be a really solid line.

Chatfield and Skjei would be huge upgrades to the blue line, I'm sure CAR will make a move to re-sign at least one of them, but they do have a lot of UFA and RFAs to get locked in so naturally someone will lose out.

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