Ryan Wilson: Expect Plenty of Player Movement In the Weeks To Come Plenty of Player Movement Anticipated In the Weeks To Come

This really shouldn't be that surprising. The unrestricted free agent class is pretty pathetic.

Curious to see Pens approach to trades relative to the likely sale of the team. That question is more along the lines of the team exploring moving, say, Letang or Malkin.

I assume any ownership group, including the current one, would have no issue moving Sutter!

Unfortunate they don't have that 2nd rounder. Not sure they would be able to swipe anyone for under $5.5M. Even if it isn't the Pens going after someone's RFA, it will benefit them if other teams are. It will put extra pressure on the cap tight teams to trade off some of their assets with salary at a discount.

I'd be shocked if someone doesnt take a run at Tarasenko. If you have cap space and the picks to back it, I'd be offering him 7/$56M and hoping St Louis cant get it done.

Solid blog, Wilson. This was one of the more informative reads I've come across on this website in quite some time.

What do you think we can expect from a Rick Nash trade, in regards to both return and possibly retained salary?

Also, bold prediction: Patrick Sharp will be a Penguin next year.

I know it is a first and a third but I'd offer Saad 5 years @ 5.4 per year. So 5/27 million.

I know they say Hawks will do whatever to keep him but they have to let a lot go for that. They have 9 players to sign and around 5.8 million to do it. That Saad contract along would talk entire cap they have left.

Say you let go of Hossa and Sharp, That is 11 million for 8 more players. Still not a lot of wiggle room. With how bad Pens draft, I say it is worth giving up the first and third, especially since we have 3 3rds now.

Maybe we can get another RFA since we would still have two more 3rds left. So anyone worth getting at 1.8 million?

This is all assuming we can dump Sutter/Kunitz/Scuds salaries.

Great blog, Ryan.

I could see some sort of vindictive move by Bob Murray to poach Brandon Saad or make Bowman over pay for him but Murray does have his own FAs to sign. Silverburg is a solid player and there are claims that Beleskey is only hung up on an NTC. Bowman should not have much trouble unloading Sharp and/or Bickell for space.

Offer sheet has to be done with YOUR pick so it doesnt matter how many 3rds you have, once yours is gone thats it. You would not be able to offer sheet in that level anymore.

What do you think we can expect from a Rick Nash trade, in regards to both return and possibly retained salary?

Also, bold prediction: Patrick Sharp will be a Penguin next year.
- BulliesPhan87

From what Yohe and DK reported on their Insider, Rutherford has no interest in acquiring anyone that is an elder player. Sharp is only 33, but that was same age when Kunitz and Duper signed. I highly doubt Pens get him. I personally thought Bickell for a while but Rutherford even said he wants speed more than size after watching Tampa.

I honestly think Pens will make push for Saad if he is not signed before July 1.

I know it is a first and a third but I'd offer Saad 5 years @ 5.4 per year. So 5/27 million.

I know they say Hawks will do whatever to keep him but they have to let a lot go for that. They have 9 players to sign and around 5.8 million to do it. That Saad contract along would talk entire cap they have left.

Say you let go of Hossa and Sharp, That is 11 million for 8 more players. Still not a lot of wiggle room. With how bad Pens draft, I say it is worth giving up the first and third, especially since we have 3 3rds now.

Maybe we can get another RFA since we would still have two more 3rds left. So anyone worth getting at 1.8 million?

This is all assuming we can dump Sutter/Kunitz/Scuds salaries.
- mmonana120

That would be matched easily. They cannot let go of Hossa. If he retires somewhere else the cap penalty escalates. The space would come from trading Bickell and Sharp.

Rosi, Oduya, KT, Richards, Rundblad, Krueger, Desjardins, Vermette, Carcillo, Nordstrom... All potentially shed via FA.

Might have a better chance of picking off Krueger or Nordstrom. Saad would take a deal in the high 6s to make the Hawks balk IMO.

That would be matched easily. They cannot let go of Hossa. If he retires somewhere else the cap penalty escalates. The space would come from trading Bickell and Sharp. Rosi, Oduya, KT, Richards, Rundblad, Krueger, Desjardins, Vermette, Carcillo, Nordstrom...

Might have a better chance of picking off Krueger or Nordstrom. Saad would take a deal in the high 6s to make the Hawks balk IMO.
- tredbrta

I would go there but with no second pick, I don't know how that would work. So I went as high as possible without a second.

Unfortunate they don't have that 2nd rounder. Not sure they would be able to swipe anyone for under $5.5M. Even if it isn't the Pens going after someone's RFA, it will benefit them if other teams are. It will put extra pressure on the cap tight teams to trade off some of their assets with salary at a discount.

I'd be shocked if someone doesnt take a run at Tarasenko. If you have cap space and the picks to back it, I'd be offering him 7/$56M and hoping St Louis cant get it done.
- MacPatty

Someone can try, but unless he's offered North of $8M per, St. Louis will do whatever it necessary to match.

That would be matched easily. They cannot let go of Hossa. If he retires somewhere else the cap penalty escalates. The space would come from trading Bickell and Sharp. Rosi, Oduya, KT, Richards, Rundblad, Krueger, Desjardins, Vermette, Carcillo, Nordstrom...

Might have a better chance of picking off Krueger or Nordstrom. Saad would take a deal in the high 6s to make the Hawks balk IMO.
- tredbrta

Also, all guys you mentioned are all ready free agents. So trading there rights does not help the cap. They only have 7 forwards and 3 dmen under contract with 5 mil in estimated Cap Space. I agree, Bickell and Sharp are gone. But so might a defense. I honestly could see them trade Crawford if they can find a taker. With those two young guys still on Entry Level for a few years. That is where they will save money!

Was doing some research on guys projected to go mid-second round. Here's my pick for the Pens second rounder, Graham Knott

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=225057

I would go there but with no second pick, I don't know how that would work. So I went as high as possible without a second.
- mmonana120

Which is why Pittsburgh will not be sending offer sheets in the first place. Honestly I doubt Rutherford is ruthless enough to even send an offer sheet even if he thought he could get the player.
All these high-end restricted free agents will get signed by their teams. Even if other teams send offer sheets, the respective teams will alter they are off-season plans to accommodate their restricted free agents.

I know it is a first and a third but I'd offer Saad 5 years @ 5.4 per year. So 5/27 million.

I know they say Hawks will do whatever to keep him but they have to let a lot go for that. They have 9 players to sign and around 5.8 million to do it. That Saad contract along would talk entire cap they have left.

Say you let go of Hossa and Sharp, That is 11 million for 8 more players. Still not a lot of wiggle room. With how bad Pens draft, I say it is worth giving up the first and third, especially since we have 3 3rds now.

Maybe we can get another RFA since we would still have two more 3rds left. So anyone worth getting at 1.8 million?

This is all assuming we can dump Sutter/Kunitz/Scuds salaries.
- mmonana120

They can't get rid of Hossa, in my opinion.... Too much term left. Sharp is almost certainly gone though.

Was doing some research on guys projected to go mid-second round. Here's my pick for the Pens second rounder, Graham Knott

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=225057
- Willaged

I haven't seen him rated highly on many lists. If you want him, you may be able to trade back (for example, send the 46 to AZ for 59 and 63).

Addition to my post since edits and quotes don't work again...

How the (frank) are we supposed to offer Saad that much money, without the 1st round pick to compensate either?

mmonana120
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 05.30.2015


Today @ 12:40 PM ET


Also, all guys you mentioned are all ready free agents. So trading there rights does not help the cap. They only have 7 forwards and 3 dmen under contract with 5 mil in estimated Cap Space. I agree, Bickell and Sharp are gone. But so might a defense. I honestly could see them trade Crawford if they can find a taker. With those two young guys still on Entry Level for a few years. That is where they will save money!

Sorry, that is what I meant. All the UFAs are gone... Maybe Desi stays. RFAs like Nordstrom and Rundblad too. Lots of discussion about Crawford. I agree that it could happen based on the Bowman's past (D over GT). Hawks have Darling and Rannta. Now it looks like Nillsen is coming over from the KHL. They may gamble on that group over Crow. They will find a taker on Crow and would see a solid return too. Guys like Burke and Wilson (maybe Snow) know the value of big game goalies.

Addition to my post since edits and quotes don't work again...

How the (frank) are we supposed to offer Saad that much money, without the 1st round pick to compensate either?
- Guile

What is the return policy on Perron?

Addition to my post since edits and quotes don't work again...

How the (frank) are we supposed to offer Saad that much money, without the 1st round pick to compensate either?
- Guile

I believe the compensation pics would all be in the future rounds not in 2015. I agree with you, I think there is about 0% chance of Pittsburgh signing anyone on an offer sheet. Frankly I'm not sure any available players actually worth for first round picks.

I haven't seen him rated highly on many lists. If you want him, you may be able to trade back (for example, send the 46 to AZ for 59 and 63).
- jmatchett383

Which wouldn't be a big idea to nab a later second and an early 3rd with our current second. I saw him play once this year and the game I saw he stood out, exactly how the short brief describes him, big body, decent skater, always mixing it up infront of the net, but actually has some skill, not hands of stone. I like the fact he already possesses NHL size, scored at a .75ppg clip as a 17 year old and has big game experience with the Canada U18 team. With his size and talent set he wouldn't need top 6 minutes right away as his skill set would still work on a 3rd or 4th line, so he could potentially play for the Pens in 2 years and work his way up the line up as he proves himself worthy.. Unlike a smaller, more skilled guy who is top 6 or bust. My. 2 cents.

Addition to my post since edits and quotes don't work again...

How the (frank) are we supposed to offer Saad that much money, without the 1st round pick to compensate either?
- Guile

The draft is before Free Agency Starts. So when looking at picks for RFA's, use 2016 picks. Where Pens have a 1st and numerous 3rds but no 2nd.