I don't like Chia, but I also don't think he has done a terrible job. I think that Eberle trade was deft for the Oilers. They traded a guy they demoted to the 4th line in the playoffs for someone who can fill in their 3C spot and saved $3.5M in cap space.

Now Drai and McDavid can dominate as the best line in the NHL regardless of who plays the other wing for the next several years.
- MacPatty

He (frank)ing sucks at his job. McDavid bailed him out last season.

Barrie is a good target. I'd start with Maatta plus horn. Then I'd add in the 1st. I guess the 1st is really only worth a 2nd anyway in most drafts.

I'm going to the draft tonight, so please trade the 2018 pick so I can at least watch them draft someone
- drummer829

Haha no. 2018 is way more valuable than this years pick.

Thoughts on Anisimov as the 3C. Seems like a real likely cap dump now and has shown he can produce with skilled wings.

I don't like Chia, but I also don't think he has done a terrible job. I think that Eberle trade was deft for the Oilers. They traded a guy they demoted to the 4th line in the playoffs for someone who can fill in their 3C spot and saved $3.5M in cap space.

Now Drai and McDavid can dominate as the best line in the NHL regardless of who plays the other wing for the next several years.
- MacPatty

In the past year roughly he's:
Traded Hall for Larsson
Traded a mid 1st and high 2nd for Reinhart who he just lost in the expansion draft.
Traded his 3rd leading scorer for a 30 point, soon to be 24 year old center.
Used those cap savings to give Kris Russel a 4 year deal.

Honestly, we should just see what he wants for RNH.

Thoughts on Anisimov as the 3C. Seems like a real likely cap dump now and has shown he can produce with skilled wings.
- Tojo.

Tell the hawks to send a 2nd round pick with him for a 4th rounder

Thoughts on Anisimov as the 3C. Seems like a real likely cap dump now and has shown he can produce with skilled wings.
- Tojo.

He would be great as 3c. Not sure what we have to offer.

Considering Hjmalson just got traded for murphy I wander if that trade could have worked for us with maatta. I would want more back though. Short term he would have been an upgrade, but he wouldn't be letang insurance; though definitely an upgrade.

Trade Hornquist to Dallas for their 2nd round pick and Niemi with 1/2 retained.
Trade Maata for Bozak.
Sign Shatttenkirk.

Now you have a top pair D, a solid 3C, an affordable backup, an early 2nd round pick AND you keep your 1st round pick.

Or you could have Barrie.... you guys decide.

In the past year roughly he's:
Traded Hall for Larsson
Traded a mid 1st and high 2nd for Reinhart who he just lost in the expansion draft.
Traded his 3rd leading scorer for a 30 point, soon to be 24 year old center.
Used those cap savings to give Kris Russel a 4 year deal.

Honestly, we should just see what he wants for RNH.
- Tojo.

I didnt realize he did the Reinhart deal... that was a doozy.

I agree though, I'd call on RNH.

I've been lucky to see a bunch of Barrie in person. I agree that Colorado will assume the whole experiment didn't work and they're building a team around Nate.

He's no guarantee, but he's been playing with dud partners and depending on the game, forwards. It'd be a very interesting thing to see.

Wonder if Landy is close with Horny?

The best insurance they can get for letang would be re-signing Justin Schultz... that should be the #1 priority.... Even without optimal health Pens proved they can still win..... They should be more fixated on keeping as many players as they can rather than ripping the roster apart to pick up these insurance policies that are not as important

Pens have the deepest forward group in the league. That is Sid and Geno insurance. Also, Sid is Geno's insurance, and Geno is Sid's insruance. With the way the Pens forwards are constructed, they could absolutely survive without one of them... (much like they did until the end of the season with Geno AND Letang)
- j.boyd919

That was with Bonino and Cullen on the roster, both good centers. If Bonino goes elsewhere and Cullen retires, then we don't have Sid and Geno insurance. As good as the wingers are, they can't carry a plug at center, especially on the 2nd line.

Trade Hornquist to Dallas for their 2nd round pick and Niemi with 1/2 retained.
Trade Maata for Bozak.
Sign Shatttenkirk.

Now you have a top pair D, a solid 3C, an affordable backup, an early 2nd round pick AND you keep your 1st round pick.

Or you could have Barrie.... you guys decide.
- MacPatty

Ok, I guess, for your second and third option. First option, though? No way. Horny waaaayyyy more valuable to the Pens than a second round pick and still a highly paid backup goalie. It makes the Pens worse now and gets little return for Horny. Backup goalies are a dime-a-dozen and are paid as such. Second round draft picks also not very valuable. Horny valuable.

Ok, I guess, for your second and third option. First option, though? No way. Horny waaaayyyy more valuable to the Pens than a second round pick and still a highly paid backup goalie. It makes the Pens worse now and gets little return for Horny. Backup goalies are a dime-a-dozen and are paid as such. Second round draft picks also not very valuable. Horny valuable.
- T-Train

I agree. What's the point in trading for Niemi? Seems counter intuitive when you can get a backup for without spending players/picks in FA.

Far from an insurance policy for if Letang gets hurt but he'd be cheaper than most D-men on the block right now. Marco Scandella of the Wild is reportedly on the block for a 1st. Ge the wild to retain one mil if possible but it'd doubtful. 4 mil hit hurts but if he's good it doesn't hurt much.

Anyone got any fancy stats to show why I'm stupid for suggesting this? JK but I wouldn't mind seeing a comparison to the other options out there.

I agree. What's the point in trading for Niemi? Seems counter intuitive when you can get a backup for without spending players/picks in FA.
- j.boyd919

I entertained the idea of trading Fleury for Niemi+ when we needed to expose a goalie for the ED. Boy am I glad I'm not GM. Of course, this was before we knew Fleury would waive his NTC.

Speaking of which, while I think we could have easily given Fleury away if LV didn't take him and we wanted to shed his salary, I think we ended up paying a 2nd round pick to not lose Rust (or Hags). I'm ok with that.

Far from an insurance policy for if Letang gets hurt but he'd be cheaper than most D-men on the block right now. Marco Scandella of the Wild is reportedly on the block for a 1st. Ge the wild to retain one mil if possible but it'd doubtful. 4 mil hit hurts but if he's good it doesn't hurt much.

Anyone got any fancy stats to show why I'm stupid for suggesting this? JK but I wouldn't mind seeing a comparison to the other options out there.
- Zac_O

Not bad but he is a LD. I like him better than Maatta for the same price, though.

Ok, I guess, for your second and third option. First option, though? No way. Horny waaaayyyy more valuable to the Pens than a second round pick and still a highly paid backup goalie. It makes the Pens worse now and gets little return for Horny. Backup goalies are a dime-a-dozen and are paid as such. Second round draft picks also not very valuable. Horny valuable.
- T-Train

I agree with you. My point was that it would be better to sign Shat than trade Horny, Maata and a 1st for Barrie. If your goal is a top D, trade Horny and Maata for as much value as you can get and sign Shattenkirk.

Far from an insurance policy for if Letang gets hurt but he'd be cheaper than most D-men on the block right now. Marco Scandella of the Wild is reportedly on the block for a 1st. Ge the wild to retain one mil if possible but it'd doubtful. 4 mil hit hurts but if he's good it doesn't hurt much.

Anyone got any fancy stats to show why I'm stupid for suggesting this? JK but I wouldn't mind seeing a comparison to the other options out there.
- Zac_O

He's decent. Perfectly fine 2nd D type at a reasonable contract. Not a homerun move, but it fills the spot well.

I agree with you. My point was that it would be better to sign Shat than trade Horny, Maata and a 1st for Barrie. If your goal is a top D, trade Horny and Maata for as much value as you can get and sign Shattenkirk.
- MacPatty

I'd consider them equal. You are paying in different ways. One with assets and one with salary.

horny maata and 1st for barrie is much better for cap.

Shatty and 7.5 for 7 years is harder on the cap but better for retaining assets.

@Lloyd: In what world does anyone not on crazy pills want to trade Kessel over Hornqvist? Are you on crack? Get the (frank) outa here with this nonsense.

Why is it Montreal, who every year its said need to add good C's, is shopping their big young talented C?
- MattStrat

I don't know ask them. They seem to hate Alex and he's been rumored to be on the move for the past three years. Remember, this is the team that traded Subban for Weber straight up. Some people are just not smart and assuming they are is a mistake.

Why the hell do we keep hearing reports that they are trying to trade Kessel?
He better get one hell of a haul if he wants to be mad scientist and play with his roster

While Trouba or Barrie would be great, the Pens need Sid & Geno insurance more than Letang insurance.

Pens proved they could win without Letang this year.
There is no way the Pens could have won with either Sid or Malkin out of the lineup. Getting a 2C caliber player for the 3C spot IMO is the most important need to fill.

If Letang insurance is key, I'd rather trade Maata and Hornquist for prospects or picks and just sign Shattenkirk as a FA. Similar quality player and you get more assets out of the deal. I don't think they should do it but its better than going all in on Barrie or Trouba.
- MacPatty

No they don't. They need a 3C, but Bonino just proved we can win without an elite 3C. We were spoiled during the Staal era, and while I would love to get Tyler Johnson or Jumbo in here to recreate the 3 center model, we don't have to. If Crosby, Malkin, or Letang go down, we are in trouble, and Letang is the highest at risk guy out of those three and the most easy to ensure against.

Why the hell do we keep hearing reports that they are trying to trade Kessel?
He better get one hell of a haul if he wants to be mad scientist and play with his roster
- Amanion

Who is saying that??