Yes
- Rinosaur

Awesome!

ZAR to the 4th line? I like Rust but he and Sid don't seem to mesh well.
- Thorny87

While I've never been the biggest fan of the Rust-Crosby combination, I don't think you can justify putting someone producing at 2.2 ES pts/60 rate on the 4th line.

Granted, ZAR is producing at like a 3.1 rate, but he also has a way smaller sample size. Both guys have been on fire lately, it was a tough choice. We honestly have more wings than we know what to do with.

ZAR to the 4th line? I like Rust but he and Sid don't seem to mesh well.
- Thorny87

Sid likes playing with him though. If it's not going, ZAR and Simon could switch quickly. Considering the 4th line is Sid's line last game he probably gets some shifts there. Agree it is weird though for a guy with 4 goals his past 4 games to get demoted to the 4th line.

Per Mackey line rushes:

Simon-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Guentzel-Sheahan-Kessel
Aston-Reese-Rowney-Sheary (Reaves rotating)

Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Cole-Oleksiak
Hunwick-Ruhwedel

This is pretty, pretty good. A C would seriously make this lineup perfect.
- Victoro311

To me, that lineup as is, is very Cup capable....any pieces added that strengthen them is gravy.

So... does Schultz, Sprong & a 1st bring back Erik Karlson? If that was enough would you do it?
- MacPatty

The ask would probably be 2 1sts (2018 and 19), Gust, Sprong and Shultz. That's selling the farm!

The ask would probably be 2 1sts (2018 and 19), Gust, Sprong and Shultz. That's selling the farm!
- Brianandr1

Do you even need Karlsson? He will most likely be the highest paid player in the league when he gets his new deal. I wouldn't do it.

Sid likes playing with him though. If it's not going, ZAR and Simon could switch quickly. Considering the 4th line is Sid's line last game he probably gets some shifts there. Agree it is weird though for a guy with 4 goals his past 4 games to get demoted to the 4th line.
- Tojo.

Does Sid like playing with him? Rust has the ability to finish on his own (taking it to the net) but he's not the best at finishing plays he's not creating. It could just be a speed thing to help get behind Carolina's D. Like you said though, I'm not sure putting our 2nd hottest goal scorer on the 4th is a great plan. Luckily Sully will change this up 5 mins in.

To me, that lineup as is, is very Cup capable....any pieces added that strengthen them is gravy.
- MattStrat

If we were to add DB without subtracting anyone from the top 9 that'd be un-(frank)ing believable

Sid likes playing with him though. If it's not going, ZAR and Simon could switch quickly. Considering the 4th line is Sid's line last game he probably gets some shifts there. Agree it is weird though for a guy with 4 goals his past 4 games to get demoted to the 4th line.
- Tojo.

We all know the lines will change throughout the game, so I would just take these lines as a starting point.

Does Sid like playing with him? Rust has the ability to finish on his own (taking it to the net) but he's not the best at finishing plays he's not creating. It could just be a speed thing to help get behind Carolina's D. Like you said though, I'm not sure putting our 2nd hottest goal scorer on the 4th is a great plan. Luckily Sully will change this up 5 mins in.
- Thorny87

I've heard enough of the beat guys say Sid likes playing with Rust because of his speed that I believe it.

Unless things change with a new center, and assuming Hags-Malkin-Hornqvist regain their chemistry, I could see the second and third line staying together for a while. Anyone on the 1st or 4th lines could end up with Sid.

I've heard enough of the beat guys say Sid likes playing with Rust because of his speed that I believe it.

Unless things change with a new center, and assuming Hags-Malkin-Hornqvist regain their chemistry, I could see the second and third line staying together for a while. Anyone on the 1st or 4th lines could end up with Sid.
- Tojo.

Crazy how deep we are right now that anyone on the fourth line currently is a legit option to get bumped up to the first line on a moment’s notice. Complete 180 from the begging of the season. This truly is like 2015-2016 all over again.

Crazy how deep we are right now that anyone on the fourth line currently is a legit option to get bumped up to the first line on a moment’s notice. Complete 180 from the begging of the season. This truly is like 2015-2016 all over again.
- Victoro311

If they upgrade one of the bottom C position, I’d argue better than 15/16

Well, EK saying Sabres are frustrated by no 1st round pick offers and Sprong for Kane is a possibility

If they upgrade one of the bottom C position, I’d argue better than 15/16
- Rinosaur

I’d agree with that. Guentzel and the top 6 version of Rust make us absurdly deep at top 6 talent and I think Simon is as good as Sheary was that first year. And ZAR >>> Kuhnhackl. Sheahan is at worst just as good as Bonino.

Well, EK saying Sabres are frustrated by no 1st round pick offers and Sprong for Kane is a possibility
- Rinosaur

I’m just not interested in trading Sprong for a rental. Theoretically if we bring in Kane, we’re scratching Simon or ZAR, which makes Kane a huge luxury right now. If we send out Sheary for Brassard, then it becomes more intriguing, but I’m assuming that we’re sending out Sprong in any Brassard deal.

If that’s the price for the Sedins I’d rather use sprong and the 1st for Ovechkin at half retained
- jchst22

Sprong wasn't part of my proposal. Also, your proposal is brutal. So, yea

The ask would probably be 2 1sts (2018 and 19), Gust, Sprong and Shultz. That's selling the farm!
- Brianandr1

I agree that this is probably in the area of what they would be looking for

I just don't think the Pens NEED to go after the Sedins this year and trade assets. I think they would cost a little more than what you're offering. I think having the best PP2 in the league as negligible because the Pens PP1 plays 85-90% of the PP. I'd love the Sedins on Pittsburgh, but I don't think trading for them is the right move. I do think gunning for them in FA is though.
- j.boyd919

I agree that they don't need them, but I think my proposal puts us as the favorite while also dumping off the Hunwick contract. It also doesn't really detract from our current roster. I strongly disagree on how much our PP2 plays (just based off what I recall). Seems like PP1 typically plays anywhere from 60-90 seconds of a powerplay. 60 would be half, 90 would be 75%. 90% of a powerplay would mean PP2 only gets 20 seconds.
I'll respectfully disagree on what it would cost to get them. They're in control on if they get moved or not. They probably only go somewhere where they truly feel they can win a cup where they're also needed. Playing in Pitt, their ice time would be roughly the same but they're QoT would increase. Vancouver is the favorite to bring them back anyways, Benning would probably jump all over the 1st and 3rd rounders. Seems like the kind of guy to value a guy like Hunwick as well

I agree that they don't need them, but I think my proposal puts us as the favorite while also dumping off the Hunwick contract. It also doesn't really detract from our current roster. I strongly disagree on how much our PP2 plays (just based off what I recall). Seems like PP1 typically plays anywhere from 60-90 seconds of a powerplay. 60 would be half, 90 would be 75%. 90% of a powerplay would mean PP2 only gets 20 seconds.
I'll respectfully disagree on what it would cost to get them. They're in control on if they get moved or not. They probably only go somewhere where they truly feel they can win a cup where they're also needed. Playing in Pitt, their ice time would be roughly the same but they're QoT would increase. Vancouver is the favorite to bring them back anyways, Benning would probably jump all over the 1st and 3rd rounders. Seems like the kind of guy to value a guy like Hunwick as well
- WSCTeton17

Also have to factor in the amount goals the PP1 has, which keeps PP2 off the ice on PPs all together.

I’m just not interested in trading Sprong for a rental. Theoretically if we bring in Kane, we’re scratching Simon or ZAR, which makes Kane a huge luxury right now. If we send out Sheary for Brassard, then it becomes more intriguing, but I’m assuming that we’re sending out Sprong in any Brassard deal.
- Victoro311

I agree with all of that. I just don’t think Kane is necessary

If Bennett is actually available, he should be a target. In fact he would be the type of player I’d be willing to move Sprong for. Young, high pedigree, can play wing and center, and still has potential.

If Bennett is actually available, he should be a target. In fact he would be the type of player I’d be willing to move Sprong for. Young, high pedigree, can play wing and center, and still has potential.
- kfinl170

In 3 years he will have topped 30 points once unless he gets 10 points before the end of this season which looks unlikely given his production... I dunno... I don't think I'd want to move Sprong for him.

In 3 years he will have topped 30 points once unless he gets 10 points before the end of this season which looks unlikely given his production... I dunno... I don't think I'd want to move Sprong for him.
- j.boyd919

No way. Bennet is a bust. I personally wouldn’t give more than a mid round pick.

No way. Bennet is a bust. I personally wouldn’t give more than a mid round pick.
- Rinosaur

Shultz, Oleksi, She-man & even Shags are all guys that were not performing on their respective teams before being put into the Pens system. With the rotation Sully uses Im sure that Sammy B would improve. I'd rather Bennett than Kane if I'm sending Sprong the other way. Kane is unstable/unreliable in just about everything he does (I do realise you've said Kane is not necessary but just for comparison ).

Shultz, Oleksi, She-man & even Shags are all guys that were not performing on their respective teams before being put into the Pens system. With the rotation Sully uses Im sure that Sammy B would improve. I'd rather Bennett than Kane if I'm sending Sprong the other way. Kane is unstable/unreliable in just about everything he does (I do realise you've said Kane is not necessary but just for comparison ).
- Aussiepenguin

I'd do Tatar for Sprong... not for Kane...