They should keep Kessel and go for the three-peat, and then look at possibly trading him.

I could see them trading Phil Kessel for picks and a prospect then turning around and signing a guy like Brian Gionta who could phil that RW spot and has plenty of left in the tank for a 30-40+ point season depending on who his line mates would be in Pittsburgh.

Canes getting new ownership. Think that should end the Staal rumors, unfortunately. May no longer be a budget team.

I could see them trading Phil Kessel for picks and a prospect then turning around and signing a guy like Brian Gionta who could phil that RW spot and has plenty of left in the tank for a 30-40+ point season depending on who his line mates would be in Pittsburgh.
- jjwelker1015

Nope
(and if they needed a veteran winger to jump up and down the lineup while providing 30-40, they had one in Kunitz)

I could see them trading Phil Kessel for picks and a prospect then turning around and signing a guy like Brian Gionta who could phil that RW spot and has plenty of left in the tank for a 30-40+ point season depending on who his line mates would be in Pittsburgh.
- jjwelker1015

Every time last year that Gionta's name would come up, I'd be like "wow, that dude is still in the NHL?" And then I'd look it up and remember that he's not in the NHL, he's in Buffalo.

Nope
(and if they needed a veteran winger to jump up and down the lineup while providing 30-40, they had one in Kunitz)
- DeflatedPucks

Kunitz plays the left side though

Kunitz plays the left side though
- jjwelker1015

I understand that. But i meant from a veteran winger perspective. The pens do have tremendous depth on that right side anyway. Unless its a centre, I don't see any veteran additions to the wings

I understand that. But i meant from a veteran winger perspective. The pens do have tremendous depth on that right side anyway. Unless its a centre, I don't see any veteran additions to the wings
- DeflatedPucks

Agreed, they wont make a move for a wing unless they lose someone via trade, with all of this Kessel drama I was just stating it would be a nice option if they make a move with him. They really do need a center if they want to go back to back to back.

Canes getting new ownership. Think that should end the Staal rumors, unfortunately. May no longer be a budget team.
- Tojo.

Anybody know anything about Chuck Greenberg? Apparently he worked with Burkle and Lemieux on the new stadium.

Now that FA is relatively depleted, the only way a Phil Kessel trade makes any sense is if it's straight up for a stud expensive 3C.

Like... Kessel for Staal would make a decent amount of sense, if just talking about trade values and salaries. I'd make that deal if i was the Pens (maybe the pens would have to throw in a draft pick or a tiny bit of salary retention). I'm not familiar enough with the Canes' current roster to know if they'd make the deal.

A Kessel trade made a lot more sense before FA started. Because then they couldve traded him *anywhere* for picks and/or prospects, and spent the savings on something better than Matt Hunwick (all due respect to Matt Hunwick). Now, they're limited to teams who have what they need... good 3Cs who kill penalties who are also relatively expensive (because a good 3C who is cheap is more valuable than Kessel, who is good and expensive).

However, i still think the most likely outcome is that Maatta is the currency to get that 3C, not Kessel.

How did Sprong do in the training camp? Thats a big factor in Kessels' future.

How did Sprong do in the training camp? Thats a big factor in Kessels' future.
- sammy87

Scored 70 points and almost had a PPG in the training camp playoffs. Shoulda want the Conn Smythe but they gave it to ZAR.

Every time last year that Gionta's name would come up, I'd be like "wow, that dude is still in the NHL?" And then I'd look it up and remember that he's not in the NHL, he's in Buffalo.
- hardnosed

Ouch!

DK is saying that GMJR is talking with at least 5 teams about a 3C. So what 5 teams?

COL, TOR, DAL, VGK???, CAR???, DET???, MIN???, CHI???, ??????

DK is saying that GMJR is talking with at least 5 teams about a 3C. So what 5 teams?

COL, TOR, DAL, VGK???, CAR???, DET???, MIN???, CHI???, ??????
- so_buzz11

DK says a lot of things

DK is saying that GMJR is talking with at least 5 teams about a 3C. So what 5 teams?

COL, TOR, DAL, VGK???, CAR???, DET???, MIN???, CHI???, ??????
- so_buzz11

Congrats on acquiring Darren Helm

DK is saying that GMJR is talking with at least 5 teams about a 3C. So what 5 teams?

COL, TOR, DAL, VGK???, CAR???, DET???, MIN???, CHI???, ??????
- so_buzz11

Dejan's an idiot.

Congrats on acquiring Darren Helm
- Feds91Stammer

Darren Helm of 3 or 4 years ago would be O.K., but now we would need Athanasiou Or, I'm trying to figure out how to get Larkin from Detroit.

Darren Helm of 3 or 4 years ago would be O.K., but now we would need Athanasiou Or, I'm trying to figure out how to get Larkin from Detroit.
- so_buzz11

Larkin isn't that great, he is essentially Darren Helm of 3 or 4 years ago lol

Dejan's an idiot.
- BINGO!

99% of Pittsburgh media are idiots.

99% of Pittsburgh media are idiots.
- j.boyd919

Even the reporters I slept with?

Larkin isn't that great, he is essentially Darren Helm of 3 or 4 years ago lol
- j.boyd919

Larkin's rough sophmore year is over, he will only get better, IMO.
He Is only 20! He can get even better in a lot of areas!

I could see them trading Phil Kessel for picks and a prospect then turning around and signing a guy like Brian Gionta who could phil that RW spot and has plenty of left in the tank for a 30-40+ point season depending on who his line mates would be in Pittsburgh.
- jjwelker1015

Well that would be incredibly stupid and then even more stupidity to boot. Since when are we rebuilding? Since when is an ancient Gionta a suitable replacement for a 4th liner let alone the 3rd best player on a team? No. No! NO!!!

Well that would be incredibly stupid and the. even more stupidity to boot. Since when are we rebuilding? Since when is an ancient Gionta a suitable replacement for a 4th liner let alone the 3rd best player on a team? No. No! NO!!!
- Dcoms

How was rubbing one out to Kulikov?

How was rubbing one out to Kulikov?
- j.boyd919

How was watching your mom bang the homeless guy in the Walmart parking lot? If only she swallowed instead of drooling all those years ago you wouldn't have to exist.