Mark Spector of Sportsnet is speculating a Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames trade based on his own logic
Kessel, Lack, Hudler, Sutter, and Matty Norstom Light. Here's some items on the trade shelves this week: http://t.co/o5tvnwuO4K
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) June 24, 2015
Sounds great! Except once again it is just his own speculation. I don't believe Mr. Spector is very much into analytics but even if we put that aside his suggestion is pretty ludicrous just going off basic hockey statistics. He wants to trade a guy who just put up 31 goals and 76 points for a guy with 21 goals and 33 points and the team getting the 76 point player also gets a second round pick?
Todd Cordell, our esteemed Calgary writer at Hockeybuzz, actually covered this topic just yesterday and came to a different conclusion.
- As for the possibility of Hudler being traded to Pittsburgh it makes sense and it doesn't. On one hand the Pens want another top-6 forward and Hudler makes just $4 million this season. They can fit that in the budget. I'm not sure that will be the case long-term, though.The other issue - this time from Calgary's perspective - is the Penguins have been peddling Brandon Sutter and would probably want to send him Calgary's way in a potential Hudler deal. The problem there is Sutter's perceived value is a lot higher than his on-ice value. He's a possession anchor who generally gets caved in at even-strength and his point production isn't nearly high enough to make up for it.
The Pens have just one pick in the top-4 rounds and don't have many good, young players they'd part with - Derrick Pouliot, Olli Maatta, etc. are staying put - to sweeten the pot, either.
Don't get your hopes up with Mark Spector's personal trade speculation involving Brandon Sutter because that trade isn't happening. However, continue to get your hopes up that people continue to view Sutter as a second line center on other teams around the league.
Here is a quick look at Jiri Hudler's past 3 years.
Jim Rutherford is preaching patience with their continued search for another top six winger. Tough to argue with him considering the rumored asking prices that are out there.
Penguins feel there's no rush to find new winger http://t.co/svjk7FsEMW via @MolinariPG
— Jenn Menendez (@JennMenendez) June 25, 2015
Could he be waiting for St. Louis to become more reasonable?
Dreger: “I know that Doug Armstrong is listening to the interest in T.J. Oshie." #stlblues http://t.co/LSgGVTlTA4
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 25, 2015
“But you’re right, there’s some salary cap issues, so the St. Louis Blues are looking to both make some room financially, but shake things up a little bit. His name is out there. Berglund’s name is out there. There’s some who are hinting at David Backes. Not sure I’m buying that entirely.“But T.J. Oshie’s name is definitely out there.…
Pending UFA Michael Frolik hasn't been able to reach an agreement with WPG so he's in FLA today to meet with other interested clubs.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 25, 2015
I think it is a better idea to give Frolik ~5M per year on a contract than to get into bidding wars that see Pittsburgh give up what few prime assets they have left. Frolik's underlying numbers are very good and would continue to be very good with Sid or Geno.
Pittsburgh Penguins released their schedule.
They will have thirteen afternoon games and perhaps more if they are flexed in at the end of the year. I hate afternoon games but cheers to our Pittsburgh fans across the pond, certainly great news for you.
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Lastly, I wrote something about Sidney Crosby and why him finishing fifth in the Hart Trophy voting was a first for the salary cap era. You can find that here
Thanks for reading!
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