Dont take this as saucy, because I really dont know and never follow them, but have they ever been right about anything?
- MattStrat

I would say he takes obvious observations and writes his material on that basis. So let's look at his latest "rumors". Sprong, high picks are on the table and Gustavsson is not. Would it surprise anybody if we trade Sprong, our first and keep Gus? I'd say that is entirely possible. I have yet to see him say anything truly declarative.....so he can't be wrong.

All "rumor" sites are pretty much the same, but I will say he doesn't make up ridiculous trade rumors like some sites.

I listen to a lot of sports talk radio while I work. They have the beat writers on regularly. Guys that are around the team regularly. A couple of them have said they're not thrilled with Sprong just like they weren't thrilled with DP a couple of years ago. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he's moved.

So to go full circle....If Sprong is moved, TIOPS will hit on their rumor.

Totally cool with Sprong and a first for Brassard. Sprong may very well become a player who consistently eclipses 20 goals and passes 30 a few times in his career. However he's relatively one dimensional i.e. Kessel, and IMO those players only have a place on the roster when they're elite i.e. Kessel. I'd rather trade/acquire for these types when they've established themselves as such, and hang onto/ develop versatile wingers like we've done in recent years. ZAR isn't there yet, but I'm hopeful he can develop into a productive and reliable 4th liner for this years playoff run. ZAR, Sheahan, and Rust/Sheary/Simon would be a great 4th line to have.

Totally cool with Sprong and a first for Brassard. Sprong may very well become a player who consistently eclipses 20 goals and passes 30 a few times in his career. However he's relatively one dimensional i.e. Kessel, and IMO those players only have a place on the roster when they're elite i.e. Kessel. I'd rather trade/acquire for these types when they've established themselves as such, and hang onto/ develop versatile wingers like we've done in recent years. ZAR isn't there yet, but I'm hopeful he can develop into a productive and reliable 4th liner for this years playoff run. ZAR, Sheahan, and Rust/Sheary/Simon would be a great 4th line to have.
- Le_Magnifique

Kessel isn't one dimensonal.

I don’t have a good answer, but IF the Pens are offering a first, I’m definitely not sending Sheary as well.
- Rinosaur

That makes sense.

Kessel isn't one dimensonal.
- j.boyd919

Yeah he is but the one dimension is being an elite point producer.

I would say he takes obvious observations and writes his material on that basis. So let's look at his latest "rumors". Sprong, high picks are on the table and Gustavsson is not. Would it surprise anybody if we trade Sprong, our first and keep Gus? I'd say that is entirely possible. I have yet to see him say anything truly declarative.....so he can't be wrong.

All "rumor" sites are pretty much the same, but I will say he doesn't make up ridiculous trade rumors like some sites.

I listen to a lot of sports talk radio while I work. They have the beat writers on regularly. Guys that are around the team regularly. A couple of them have said they're not thrilled with Sprong just like they weren't thrilled with DP a couple of years ago. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he's moved.

So to go full circle....If Sprong is moved, TIOPS will hit on their rumor.
- madmike71

Rumors are rumors. I don’t care if you’re tiops or McKenzie. Yes, there are probably more legit “insiders” than others, but just because a rumor doesn’t come to fruition doesn’t mean that rumor wasn’t a real discussion or deal in the works.

So on the real, if the Pens did acquire someone on the level of Brassard, who do you guys think comes out of the lineup, Reaves or Kuhn?

Simon-Sid-Rust/Sheary
Hagelin-Geno-Hornqvist
Guentzel-Brassard-Kessel
Kuhn-Sheahan-Reaves

This basically means that Rust and/or Sheary would have to play 4th line minutes which from a depth standpoint is great even though it's kind of a waste.

That would be a nice problem to have.
- Rinosaur

If they somehow pulled of Brassard without trading a roster player and fitting it under the cap, you could run a ZAR-Sheahan-Rust 4th line.

Currently ZAR is ahead of Simon, but who knows if that lasts a period.

If they somehow pulled of Brassard without trading a roster player and fitting it under the cap, you could run a ZAR-Sheahan-Rust 4th line.

Currently ZAR is ahead of Simon, but who knows if that lasts a period.
- Tojo.

That fourth line would be a cycling nightmare if ZAR keeps trending upward. Liked his past two games but fully expecting him to hit a wall at some point.

That fourth line would be a cycling nightmare if ZAR keeps trending upward. Liked his past two games but fully expecting him to hit a wall at some point.
- Victoro311

He's a wait and see guy for me. Like what I've seen enough to move him ahead of Reaves and Kuhnhackl for now. Certainly don't see him on the top line this spring. But like Sully is, I'm giving him a chance.

Yeah he is but the one dimension is being an elite point producer.
- Feds91Stammer

I don't believe he is as one dimensional as people make it seem. He's not awful at defene, but he's not great. He's good enough. He's not only a sniper, he's also an elite passer. Someone like Vanek is more what I would call one dimensional than Kessel.

I don't believe he is as one dimensional as people make it seem. He's not awful at defene, but he's not great. He's good enough. He's not only a sniper, he's also an elite passer. Someone like Vanek is more what I would call one dimensional than Kessel.
- j.boyd919

My only grip about Kessel is his inability to win board battles. If it's a 1 on 1 along the boards Phil very rarely does win them. Yet in a battle in open ice he seems to do better.

My only grip about Kessel is his inability to win board battles. If it's a 1 on 1 along the boards Phil very rarely does win them. Yet in a battle in open ice he seems to do better.
- willi

Yeah but it's also partly due to the wet noodle he uses. A stick with that kind of flex is going to be difficult to work along the boards it. If he used a stiffer stick it would probably neutralize his ability to do the offensive things he does well, like his ridiculous release. I don't think it's that only that he's unwilling to go (which he also kind of is sometimes), I think it also matters that his twig is more susceptible to getting broken and bent every which way from Sunday. I use a 67 flex in beer league and (by no means am I anywhere near NHL caliber hahaha) even in beer league, sometimes it's tough to battle with a wet noodle. Just imagine going against the monsters in the NHL with one.

Thoughts on Sprong + 1st + Hunwick for Pacs (w/50% retained salary for THIS year only)?

Thoughts on Sprong + 1st for Pacs?
- mventres

Don't think I'm interested. I'd have to think long and hard about it.. but I don't think so...

Don't think I'm interested. I'd have to think long and hard about it.. but I don't think so...
- j.boyd919

made a slight change to get under cap

Thoughts on Sprong + 1st for Pacs?
- mventres

Probably close value wise but MTL probably says no. MTL probably wants a more established player or higher end prospect. Of course GMMB is an idiot too.

Probably close value wise but MTL probably says no. MTL probably wants a more established player or higher end prospect. Of course GMMB is an idiot too.
- Feds91Stammer

They seem to be aiming for a center.

Thoughts on Sprong + 1st + Hunwick for Pacs (w/50% retained salary for THIS year only)?
- mventres

I think you have to retain salary for the remainder of contracts. So in this case MTL would have to retain for next year as well which would cause the price to go up

Thoughts on Sprong + 1st + Hunwick for Pacs (w/50% retained salary for THIS year only)?
- mventres

Don't believe you can retain for one year. I think it has to be remaining term.

Don't believe you can retain for one year. I think it has to be remaining term.
- j.boyd919

Would you guys move a 1st this year and next, Sprong, Sheary and Hunwick for Hoffman and Brassard? (Ottawa would have to retain major dollars but would get a big return.)

Thoughts on Sprong + 1st + Hunwick for Pacs (w/50% retained salary for THIS year only)?
- mventres

Um adding Hunwick reduces value

They seem to be aiming for a center.
- Tojo.

LOL yeah because they traded their blue chip D man for a PP specialist winger.

LOL yeah because they traded their blue chip D man for a PP specialist winger.
- Feds91Stammer

They actually thought they could make him a center. Goes back to the bad GM point.

They actually thought they could make him a center. Goes back to the bad GM point.
- Tojo.

Tell them Guentzel is a C. Trade Sprong and Guentzel for Galchy and Patches

Tell them Guentzel is a C. Trade Sprong and Guentzel for Galchy and Patches
- Feds91Stammer

Nope. we shouldn't trade Guentzel ever. He's too good.

I like the idea of Brassard more than Pacioretty tbh.