The pens lineup, as-is, is simply more pretender than legitimate contender. The roster, prior to 9’s IR status, was soft (i.e. in terms of top 6 winger + bottom six contributors). Now that 9 is out, this softness is even more exposed. The current version of the Pens can be described as somewhat old and under-sized. My biggest gripe w/ the previous regime is the consistent absence of size and ELC youth… especially at forward position. Apparently the Pens brass hasn’t heard about ELC’s.

So as it stands, the team needs to trade assets in order to get them in return. God knows there’s no-one in the “forward pipeline” that is NHL ready. In looking at “returnable assets”, IMO, the only players on PGH’s roster that fit the bill are 14, 16, 19, 58, 3, and 7. The obvious trade candidate is 7; he’s an UFA and will most likely walk away at seasons end. Trade 7 now for a returnable asset (at wing). If the stable of youngsters at the AHL level is worth the hype, then trading 7 is agnostic, since these kids are capable of plug-and-play. A team needs to trade from a position of strength in order to close the gap on respective weaknesses. I would strongly test the market return for 14, 58, 3, 16 and 19. At the same time, I’d try everything up my sleeve to find a take for 4 AND would immediately waive 27 and 38. PGH needs 12 forward contributors…no dead weight roster spots.

Remember when LAK traded Schenn + Simmonds for Richards, ___________ and 2nd, or Jack Johnson and 1st for Jeff Carter?? Worked fairly well for LAK. My point is that status quo will not work for PGH; GMJR needs to be bold and brilliant (although I’m not sure if he’s capable of the latter)….

On a similar note, 47 should never be a healthy scratch, and his name should not be considered in trade talks. IMO, his ceiling is better than 3; better size, physicality, mobility, puck skills/ passing. As others have noted, 47’s size on the blue line is welcoming in PGH. The rest of the league is 6ft. +, but again the Pens didn’t get that memo. On size, I’d love to see a 6’3 winger (or two) upfront as well. It would be nice to see size take the puck to the front of the net instead of stopping along the half-wall and dishing to a trailer.

Anyone suspect 87 is physically hurt, as opposed to emotionally drained by 9’s absence? 1 goal in the past 11 is “off-pace”. What I find more disturbing, which leads me to believe he’s injured, is that his game is solely on the perimeter, along the wall. No puck possession, no drive to the net, no shots…. although a ton of dishing the puck to teammates or to open space…. Certainly not the $8.7M cap hit 87.
- out_of_market

wow... either your trolling by saying 47 has a higher ceiling than 3, or your really ok with egg on your face. despres ceiling in a solid 2nd pair guy.. and he aint definately gonna make it. 3's is a numer 1 man. duh

Sutter for Perron
Despres for Kassian

Perron-Sid-Hornqvist
Kassian-Malkin-Bennett
Kunitz-Goc-Downie
Comeau-Spaling-Megna

Dont mind the specific line combos....Everyone happy?

We keep Letang, our 1st, Pouliot, Harrington, etc....and just make two legit hockey trades for roster players to better balance the roster. If we were dead set on keeping Despres, we could trade futures for N. Foligno instead of the Kassian deal.

Then re-assess at the deadline if Goc is fine at 3rd line center or if we should sell off some futures for Vermette.

Sutter for Perron
Despres for Kassian

Perron-Sid-Hornqvist
Kassian-Malkin-Bennett
Kunitz-Goc-Downie
Comeau-Spaling-Megna

Dont mind the specific line combos....Everyone happy?

We keep Letang, our 1st, Pouliot, Harrington, etc....and just make two legit hockey trades for roster players to better balance the roster. If we were dead set on keeping Despres, we could trade futures for N. Foligno instead of the Kassian deal.

Then re-assess at the deadline if Goc is fine at 3rd line center or if we should sell off some futures for Vermette.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Gtfo

wow... either your trolling by saying 47 has a higher ceiling than 3, or your really ok with egg on your face. despres ceiling in a solid 2nd pair guy.. and he aint definately gonna make it. 3's is a numer 1 man. duh
- ChrisMS

He won't outplay Maatta, but 47's ceiling is top pairing. He is way more athletic than anyone not named Kristopher in our D and is as big as Borts. He was playing like a number 2 two years ago, and was again last year before Bylsma started hating him. He's always played better with a bigger role too. If he gets a chance with someone competent next to him you'll see.

Sutter for Perron
Despres for Kassian

Perron-Sid-Hornqvist
Kassian-Malkin-Bennett
Kunitz-Goc-Downie
Comeau-Spaling-Megna

Dont mind the specific line combos....Everyone happy?

We keep Letang, our 1st, Pouliot, Harrington, etc....and just make two legit hockey trades for roster players to better balance the roster. If we were dead set on keeping Despres, we could trade futures for N. Foligno instead of the Kassian deal.

Then re-assess at the deadline if Goc is fine at 3rd line center or if we should sell off some futures for Vermette.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kassassassin would cost more than just Despres...

wow... either your trolling by saying 47 has a higher ceiling than 3, or your really ok with egg on your face. despres ceiling in a solid 2nd pair guy.. and he aint definately gonna make it. 3's is a numer 1 man. duh
- ChrisMS

I am in the corner with out-of-market. I would like to see Despres paired with Ehrhoff for a couple games, they have been used with each other on occasion. I think Ehrhoff would be the best fit for Despres. They have similar games, would compliment each other and be a physical pairing.

Kassassassin would cost more than just Despres...
- kaptaan

I think you underrate Despres, but I guess you feel the same about Kassian.

I've come to the conclusion that Sid needs a tireless worker like Hornqvist to make him go. Kunitz seems to have lost a step because that used to be his forte. Kunitz disappeared last year too at the end of the year.

I also think Sid's game isn't what it was before the head trauma's. He used to be much more active in front of the net. Driving the net. He just doesn't seem to do that with as much frequency. Obviously still a great player but somewhat different player.

I couldn't be more impressed with Hornqvist. The guy never stops. There were about 3 or 4 guys that showed up for the last two games and he was one of them.
- madmike71

Based on what stats? He had 35 goals last season, 17 points in 19 games this year! I understand he s 35 years old... I understand that as players get older they may modify their style of play, but to the "kuni haters" on this thread ... Are you going to point out every time he goes a game without a point as evidence of his "slowing down" ... I can't believe we re having this discussion ... Plain and simple ...KUNITZ IS NOT THE PROBLEM!!! Please stop this nonsense

If the Oilers have any brains, they will be after impact players. No more 2nd/bottom pairing D men or 3rd line/bordering on 2nd line forwards. Only two players they would be after is Sutter and Pouliot, and likely the latter. This is why I think Edmonton will trade Eberle who would be a fantastic addition to the Pens. You can tell the kid has given up on this team and Sid would turn his career around.

I'm sorry, but i just can't see trading Sutter right now. He has been one of the Penguins best players these first 20 games, and doesn't look like he's slowing down. I like the idea of Perron, as it think he'd be a perfect fit for replacing Dupuis, and is that young winger that could be a long term solution at the wing. I think a 2nd and Dumoulin gets the deal done.

Based on what stats? He had 35 goals last season, 17 points in 19 games this year! I understand he s 35 years old... I understand that as players get older they may modify their style of play, but to the "kuni haters" on this thread ... Are you going to point out every time he goes a game without a point as evidence of his "slowing down" ... I can't believe we re having this discussion ... Plain and simple ...KUNITZ IS NOT THE PROBLEM!!! Please stop this nonsense
- Brianandr1

Yeah, that's right... I hate Kunitz.

All I said was he used to work and skate like Hornqvist and now he doesn't. Watch Hornqvist, he never stops. That used to be Kunitz.

I'm sorry, but i just can't see trading Sutter right now.
- cap1681

True dat. When you're looking for solutions to solve problems, you don't go trading solutions to other problems (overall depth) away. That's just trading problems, not solving problems.

Apparently Kapanen has 10 points ( 6g, 4a) in 11 games in the Finnish league and sundqvist has 7 points in 14 games. He only had 16 points in 51 games last year.

Kassassassin would cost more than just Despres...
- kaptaan

In reality, no he wouldnt. Despres is a 1st round talent who is playing like it right now. His ceiling is unreal and you'd be hard pressed to find many pens fans willing to trade him, just like Kassian. Kassian is buried in the bottom 6 right now and Despres is buried on the bottom pairing. Both have nasty dispositions, and both could thrive in better situations.

Sutter for Perron
Despres for Kassian

Then
2nd + Dumo for Vermette, Cogliano, or whoever best fills the void of Sutter if needed.

Personally, I would do either of the following trades w/ the Oilers:

Sutter for Perron
Dumoulin + non-1st round pick for Perron

I know everyone wants Eberle or Yakupov, but I just don't see the Penguins being willing to send the assets to get either of those players out of Edmonton. Perron is a solid player & signed for next season as well (is, same term as Sutter). He'd be my target if I was the Pens GM.

I'm sorry, but any trade including Sutter is short sighted. Marcel Goc is good, but I have my doubts that he can contribute as much as Sutter has offensively. Even if he was paired with Bennett. I don't think you can trade from a position of weakness. It doesn't make sense.

Apparently Kapanen has 10 points ( 6g, 4a) in 11 games in the Finnish league and sundqvist has 7 points in 14 games. He only had 16 points in 51 games last year.
- drummer829

I'm excited for Sundqvist, hope he makes the jump to the NHL in the next year or 2

Personally, I would do either of the following trades w/ the Oilers:

Sutter for Perron
Dumoulin + non-1st round pick for Perron

I know everyone wants Eberle or Yakupov, but I just don't see the Penguins being willing to send the assets to get either of those players out of Edmonton. Perron is a solid player & signed for next season as well (is, same term as Sutter). He'd be my target if I was the Pens GM.
- s0rcerer1984

The only thing that helps the Pens in this situation is Yakupov is just driving his value farther and farther down with every game. The guy looks terrible... bad system, bad coach, huge expectations... I think he was put in a position to fail from the get go...BUT that being said.. I thinkt he Oilers front office is stubborn and probably STILL want a king's ransom for a struggling no. 1 pick.

The only thing that helps the Pens in this situation is Yakupov is just driving his value farther and farther down with every game. The guy looks terrible... bad system, bad coach, huge expectations... I think he was put in a position to fail from the get go...BUT that being said.. I thinkt he Oilers front office is stubborn and probably STILL want a king's ransom for a struggling no. 1 pick.
- j.boyd919

Put yourself in the Oil perspective. You have a former 1st overall, tons of potential yet to materialize, you struggle to get any decent UFA's for a good value. If you gave away that player for a young Dman who isnt tied up very long, it is not good asset management.

From the Pens POV, why would they move valuable pieces for someone who might be good?

Put yourself in the Oil perspective. You have a former 1st overall, tons of potential yet to materialize, you struggle to get any decent UFA's for a good value. If you gave away that player for a young Dman who isnt tied up very long, it is not good asset management.

From the Pens POV, why would they move valuable pieces for someone who might be good?
- sammy87

Oh I agree, he's got potential but hes not being used right... I dunno, Edmonton just seems like a badly run organization. They have so much talent, but can't seem to get the right things moving.