Mattaa + 1st + roster player or prospect not called sprong or zach. for duchene and will butcher. kappa
- martox

Duchene is a strong possibility. I'd send Määttä + for him easily.

sure it is
- martox

Nope it isn't

Duchene is a strong possibility. I'd send Määttä + for him easily.
- Barnaby36

We need to save our first so we can have a 1st+ prospect not named Sprong trade with Vegas for Manson.

Pro Hockey Rumors‏ @prohockeyrumors 21m21 minutes ago
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George McPhee Confirms Vegas Has Completed At Least Six Trades

I've been harping for a duchene trade for the past month like crazy. He's the perfect fit for the pens.

I think if we offer maatta, a first, and a decent prospect (hopefully not sprong), that should be enough to get duchene and maybe some retained salary considering they don't care about it with their rebuild. Maybe they would bite on sheary after a successful season with Crosby. When sheary isn't with Crosby, he can barely stand on his two feet. I wish I had a compilation video of how many times he tripped and fell this season lol. I don't value sheary that much at all and he's gonna want paid.

I've been harping for a duchene trade for the past month like crazy. He's the perfect fit for the pens.

I think if we offer maatta, a first, and a decent prospect (hopefully not sprong), that should be enough to get duchene and maybe some retained salary considering they don't care about it with their rebuild. Maybe they would bite on sheary after a successful season with Crosby. When sheary isn't with Crosby, he can barely stand on his two feet. I wish I had a compilation video of how many times he tripped and fell this season lol. I don't value sheary that much at all and he's gonna want paid.
- rbaurle51

I'm on board dealing Sheary in a package for an upgrade at F or Top 4 D. I don't think he'll be worth his next contract, even on a bridge deal. Away from Sid, he is worth even less.

I'm on board dealing Sheary in a package for an upgrade at F or Top 4 D. I don't think he'll be worth his next contract, even on a bridge deal. Away from Sid, he is worth even less.
- buckster2342

Sheary is one of those guys whose trade value is nowhere near his value to the Pens. But I do see your point, once he makes about $3M, he isn't amazing value.

Then again, I think we all have differing opinions on him after that playoff run.

Pro Hockey Rumors‏ @prohockeyrumors 21m21 minutes ago
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George McPhee Confirms Vegas Has Completed At Least Six Trades
- stowerkraut

Very curious how many 1st they will have. Though starting from scratch in a weak draft they need as many as possible to develop a system.

What about a package of Sprong+Rust+1st for Brodie... Would you pull the trigger on that?
- j.boyd919

When coming up with trade scenarios, please try to be realistic.

3 pieces of garbage =/= stud.

Sprong is not an NHL player now and there is no indication that his game is complete enough to be a top 6 player. I know he is "our guy" so fans have him penciled in as a Calder Trophy finalist, but he is far from a "can't miss" prospect.

Speaking of not top 6 talent, Rust is a nice player, but bottom 6 players are a dime-a-dozen in the league. That's why he was exposed and that's why he won't have much value in a trade.

And please, again, our first round pick is #31. It was a second round pick just last draft. There is a HUGE dropoff after the first 10-15 picks. Yes, it is another chance at striking gold, but it's not as valuable as you think it is.

If you think the Flames are looking to swap defensemen for forwards, the conversation for Brodie starts with guys like Guentzel or maybe even Kessel, not middling prospects, middling players, and middling draft picks. YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO GET.

We need to save our first so we can have a 1st+ prospect not named Sprong trade with Vegas for Manson.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Regardless. Trading Sprong along with Maatta for MD (like someone suggested here) would be silly. They had that three center model that landed them exactly 1 cup in 6 years and a two center model with suddenly better depth at wing that got them 2 in the last 2 years. If Sprong is used as trade bait with Maatta for one player in return, it better be for something more than a 3rd line center (top pair scoring defenseman preferably) or it will make them as financially handcuffed and inflexible as when Staal was there. The Pens don't need another $6+ million Center.

When coming up with trade scenarios, please try to be realistic.

3 pieces of garbage =/= stud.

Sprong is not an NHL player now and there is no indication that his game is complete enough to be a top 6 player. I know he is "our guy" so fans have him penciled in as a Calder Trophy finalist, but he is far from a "can't miss" prospect.

Speaking of not top 6 talent, Rust is a nice player, but bottom 6 players are a dime-a-dozen in the league. That's why he was exposed and that's why he won't have much value in a trade.

And please, again, our first round pick is #31. It was a second round pick just last draft. There is a HUGE dropoff after the first 10-15 picks. Yes, it is another chance at striking gold, but it's not as valuable as you think it is.

If you think the Flames are looking to swap defensemen for forwards, the conversation for Brodie starts with guys like Guentzel or maybe even Kessel, not middling prospects, middling players, and middling draft picks. YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO GET.
- T-Train

Brodie isn't a stud. He's the 3rd best defenseman on the Flames.

I'm waiting for the reply someone is feverishly working on that justifies the Penguins spending over $24 million for 3 centers (Crosby, Malkin, Duchene) and when adding in Letang and Kessel's cap hits put them at over $38 million for 5 players. Is Shero GM again?

Regardless. Trading Sprong along with Maatta for MD (like someone suggested here) would be silly. They had that three center model that landed them exactly 1 cup in 6 years and a two center model with suddenly better depth at wing that got them 2 in the last 2 years. If Sprong is used as trade bait with Maatta for one player in return, it better be for something more than a 3rd line center (top pair scoring defenseman preferably) or it will make them as financially handcuffed and inflexible as when Staal was there. The Pens don't need another $6+ million Center.
- NJPensfan

The problem wasn't that they had 3 good centers, but that the best wing they were able to get out of the minors was Tyler Kennedy.

The problem wasn't that they had 3 good centers, but that the best wing they were able to get out of the minors was Tyler Kennedy.
- Tojo.

Yup and now they have the young wingers from the system and they'll need to sign them. Tying up big money in a 3rd line center isn't how you go about doing that. Also, the other problem was because they were center poor, they couldn't afford to go out and get the help at wing because good FA wingers are expensive.

After they tie up lose ends at forward this off-season, any extra money they have should go into shoring up the defense. As surprisingly good as they are with cap space right now, Duchene is a luxury they can't afford.

I'm waiting for the reply someone is feverishly working on that justifies the Penguins spending over $24 million for 3 centers (Crosby, Malkin, Duchene) and when adding in Letang and Kessel's cap hits put them at over $38 million for 5 players. Is Shero GM again?
- NJPensfan

The difference is the amount of affordable talent on the wing and in net that allows them to make that kind of splurge at center if they choose during the 2 years left on Duchene's contract.

Yup and now they have the young wingers from the system and they'll need to sign them. Tying up big money in a 3rd line center isn't how you go about doing that. Also, the other problem was because they were center poor, they couldn't afford to go out and get the help at wing because good FA wingers are expensive.

After they tie up lose ends at forward this off-season, any extra money they have should go into shoring up the defense. As surprisingly good as they are with cap space right now, Duchene is a luxury they can't afford.
- NJPensfan

You can argue for the money being spent better on defense, but that's preference, not necessity.

Duchene only has 2 years left on his deal. They do not have a big raise to pay to a wing before that. They can also create more cap space for those 2 years just by letting a guy like Hagelin go. So it's certainly affordable.

Let's put it this way, who is your 3C. I'll bet he costs at least 4M. So we're only talking about a 2M difference and only for 2 years. If they fit it this year they certainly can next year with no big names up for new contracts.

You can argue for the money being spent better on defense, but that's preference, not necessity.

Duchene only has 2 years left on his deal. They do not have a big raise to pay to a wing before that. They can also create more cap space for those 2 years just by letting a guy like Hagelin go. So it's certainly affordable.
- Tojo.

Honestly, I could see us getting retained salary out of the deal with duchene and then Rutherford going after maybe shatts or someone like that with the money we have available. You never know the hell the guy is gonna do

The difference is the amount of affordable talent on the wing and in net that allows them to make that kind of splurge at center if they choose during the 2 years left on Duchene's contract.
- Tojo.

Still giving future assets to justify it. Maatta will need to be replaced (gonna cost them) and if giving up a good young player like Sprong in addition, or a 1st round pick, it will catch up with them when they need defensive help this season and next, and/or need picks to replenish the system or trade for "needs" instead of wants.

Look, if the Pens were really hurting for a player of MD's caliber and skill set, I would be for it, but like I said, he would be a luxury at this point when a much more affordable and marginal/serviceable center like Cullen or Bonino would fit the bill nicely. Those are cheaper and much easier to find

Brodie isn't a stud. He's the 3rd best defenseman on the Flames.
- j.boyd919

Hamilton is not better than Brodie. He might be soon, but he's not right now. Even if he is the 3rd best on the team, that has nothing to do with whether or not he is a stud. Who is the 3rd best defenseman on the Preds and Ducks? Answer = stud.

Still giving future assets to justify it. Maatta will need to be replaced (gonna cost them) and if giving up a good young player like Sprong in addition, or a 1st round pick, it will catch up with them when they need defensive help this season and next, and/or need picks to replenish the system or trade for "needs" instead of wants.

Look, if the Pens were really hurting for a player of MD's caliber and skill set, I would be for it, but like I said, he would be a luxury at this point when a much more affordable and marginal/serviceable center like Cullen or Bonino would fit the bill nicely. Those are cheaper and much easier to find
- NJPensfan

I get what you're saying, but I don't think Rutherford deals for duchene unless he plans on getting a defenseman since we would realistically have to give up maatta for him in any deal. When we got bonino, he was the deal of a century for the money he was making and now he might be looking at 5 mil to sign again with us? That just isn't worth it. Duchene is above and beyond the player that bonino is and I would certainly justify spending the resources to acquire a player like that when maatta and his deal is much more of a hinderance to us than anything else.

Still giving future assets to justify it. Maatta will need to be replaced (gonna cost them) and if giving up a good young player like Sprong in addition, or a 1st round pick, it will catch up with them when they need defensive help this season and next, and/or need picks to replenish the system or trade for "needs" instead of wants.

Look, if the Pens were really hurting for a player of MD's caliber and skill set, I would be for it, but like I said, he would be a luxury at this point when a much more affordable and marginal/serviceable center like Cullen or Bonino would fit the bill nicely. Those are cheaper and much easier to find
- NJPensfan

That's a different argument. I'm not sure if the assets will be worth it either. Feels like he's over-valued. Don't mind trading Maatta or the 1st, could argue Cole is as effective with Schultz, but feels like the plus would be too much.

But as far as fitting his cap hit, it is affordable. And I'd find it a waste of our potential wing depth not to try and find a 2C to play 3C and create matchup nightmares.

Let's put it this way, who is your 3C. I'll bet he costs at least 4M. So we're only talking about a 2M difference and only for 2 years. If they fit it this year they certainly can next year with no big names up for new contracts.
- Tojo.

Maybe if they were only giving up cash to get him, then the 6 million isn't going to put them in a bind for only two years, but they are giving up a defenseman (they need defenseman) and a young player (if we're talking Sprong, or a 1st pick) of the kind that if they had this mindset 3 years ago, would mean Rust, Sheary and JG might not even be here and probably no parades either. BTW: I bet they don't spend $4 million on a 3rd line center this off-season. Bonino and Cullen were $3 million combined and how much cap pace did they have in March?

Look, Dumoulin and Shultz are RFA's now and they'll be looking to keep them, Sheary will be getting paid too and they'll be looking for at least one defensemen in addition to replace Daley. If Kuntiz stays that's going to cost them at least $2 million. What I'm saying is Duchene is not something they should be focusing on or even thinking about at this point. The really need to worry about putting back together a full compliment of players for next season and if they have $8 million in spare change laying around, have a spare defenseman worth squat in trading, and are minus a center, then maybe they look at MD if they don't have to give up a lot in addition to get him. I don't see it happening.

Maybe if they were only giving up cash to get him, then the 6 million isn't going to put them in a bind for only two years, but they are giving up a defenseman (they need defenseman) and a young player (if we're talking Sprong, or a 1st pick) of the kind that if they had this mindset 3 years ago, would mean Rust, Sheary and JG might not even be here and probably no parades either. BTW: I bet they don't spend $4 million on a 3rd line center this off-season. Bonino and Cullen were $3 million combined and how much cap pace did they have in March?

Look, Dumoulin and Shultz are RFA's now and they'll be looking to keep them, Sheary will be getting paid too and they'll be looking for at least one defensemen in addition to replace Daley. If Kuntiz stays that's going to cost them at least $2 million. What I'm saying is Duchene is not something they should be focusing on or even thinking about at this point. The really need to worry about putting back together a full compliment of players for next season and if they have $8 million in spare change laying around, have a spare defenseman worth squat in trading, and are minus a center, then maybe they look at MD if they don't have to give up a lot in addition to get him. I don't see it happening.
- NJPensfan

Not only that, I'm sure other teams out there will have more than Maatta and a prospect/pick to offer Colorado for him. Is Maatta some all of a sudden treasure that other teams covet enough to give up a young, very desirable top 2 center? Did Maatta's party hard attitude boost his value while I wasn't looking so much that others want to take on his $4 million cap hit?

Who are the sources? DET MSM which are a bunch of hacks.
- Feds91Stammer

Just read another article from Craig Custance

https://theathletic.com/6...ft-and-what-happens-next/

When things went sideways for Mrazek this season, there was concern internally about his response. Rather than digging in and trying to work his way out of it, Mrazek, according to multiple sources, soured and placed the blame elsewhere.

Contrasted against Howard, whose work ethic picked up when his play went south in previous seasons, it presented a tough decision for an organization with an embedded belief in culture and work ethic for its best players.