When Erik Karlsson was traded to the Penguins this month Kyle Dubas proclaimed he wouldn’t expect the team to make any major moves at this point.
"But I would say now, we're six weeks out from camp starting on Wednesday, five weeks out from the Prospects (Challenge) in Buffalo. I think this will be the group. With Granlund going out and two defenseman going out, I do think we've felt in the last 24 hours of the remaining free agents in terms of whether there's guys who want to sign on or even professional tryouts that think this could be a great, great spot for them to come in. So we're sorting through that. I think if there's anything, it'll be more in that vein than anything big."
I think he is underselling a player rumored to have interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Reports out of Slovakia have a talented middle six winger considering the Penguins
My info on this since late last Sunday has been Penguins are keenly interested, but it might come down to if Tatar gets a guaranteed deal elsewhere opposed to a PTO for camp in Pittsburgh (with expectation he gets a contract). @TheAthleticNHL https://t.co/FD41rX1oJ0
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) August 12, 2023
This would be a terrific addition for the Penguins if they can make it work. Cap space is limited in the big picture. Jake Guentzel’s LTIR isn’t a long term solution for fitting in a player like Tatar. It will take Tatar taking less than market value for this to work. Dubas spoke about waivers being an option to bury money. New acquisition Rem PItlick makes 1.1M and his cap hit would vanish via waivers. It Tatar was willing to play around that number there’s a path. Otherwise, Jeff Carter is going to need an allergy to his equipment.
If Tatar were to join the Penguins they would be getting quite a deal. He’s a really talented and skilled winger. He played all 82 games for the Devils last year and had 20 goals and 48 points. Only one goal and three assists came on the power play. Tatar would bring a much needed boost to the depth scoring on the team and is the kind of player both Karlsson and Letang would be able to create offense with.
Quality teams always have an extra option or two for a top six promotion. Tatar fits the bill and would be a great stop gap for injuries like the one Guentzel has at the moment. When the team is healthy you have quality scoring depth to allow things to be spread out instead of relying on a select few players.
This would be quite the cap to the offseason as Tatar is a best case scenario at this point in time to bring in some more offensive juice. If brought in he will be part of the large overhaul of the roster. It could be a record breaking overhaul for the franchise
1 of 2. . . For perspective on roster turnover Dubas has produced in just 40 days (Smith trade to EK65 trade), 10 players new to Pens potentially could be in the opening night lineup: Smith, Eller, Nieto, Acciari, Hinostroza, Graves, Karlsson, Nedeljkovic, Johnsson, Pitlick. . .
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) August 7, 2023
2 of 2. . . the team record for most players making their first appearance in a Pens' sweater in the same game is 9, opening night 85-86 v Montreal: Blaisdell, Cunneyworth, Frawley, Jim Johnson, Meloche, Nolan, Ruskowski, Craig Simpson, Siren.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) August 7, 2023
For Tatar, it will be a believe it when I see it kind of thing. I find it hard to believe there aren’t other teams with more flexibility who would want to sign him, at least they should. If they don’t and the Penguins somehow get him to camp it will be another great move for the Penguins new GM.
Also, I would like to pass along some Penguins coverage news. I've always enjoyed Danny Shirey's work from his time with The Pens Blog and most recently with DKSports. He is now going off on his own and I wanted to use this space to let others know. His work is detailed and the angles he takes are logical and interesting. He does some of the best work in the Penguins blogosphere, in my opinion.
I'm thrilled to announce Breakdowns & Breakaways, your new home for unique, in-depth analysis of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
— Danny Shirey (@DannyShireyPGH) August 14, 2023
On the path I took to get here, why I'm betting on myself, and how you can support my hockey coverage:https://t.co/EoO9gjxC9w
Thanks for reading!