Sprong could very well be the next Phil Kessel. Why trade him away for an expensive, 3rd line, one year rental center?

Man, PIT fans really think all of their prospects are the next great one or something.

Sprong has all the tools and has now dominated scoring in the Q while becoming a complete player. Don't think he's already the next Kessel automatically, but he has huge upside. Pens will not give him away in a deal for a rental of any kind.

Why trade sprong, who might be a top six this year to fill a 3rd line center? He's pretty much a lock to be an NHLer, just a matter of how good. He's projected to be very good and Bozak is a rental that makes more than than PIT would like to pay for 3C. Bozak is a good hockey player, but not what the Pens need. They need a lockdown center for PK who puts up a few points, and can overachieve with Hornqvist and Kessel moving up and down the roster. The don't need a proven scoring line center and would much prefer filling with a guy with more than a single year left before UFA. Bozak gives no return at season end where Sprong and Hagelin both have more time and could be traded for more permanent roles if need be.

Also TOR doesn't have room for the last great winger prospect we traded them. Kaspanen and others are ready for the NHL, but can't crack that roster. Nether Hagelin or Sprong would be very useful to them at this time, except as more assets to trade.