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The Penguins need to get rid of Rob Scuderi's contract in order to have ample cap space to construct a legitimate NHL Stanley Cup contending roster.
The Penguins realistically don't have any leverage to do so.
They will have to think outside of the box to make this happen. Could the Sabres be the team that give them that opportunity?
SABRES CHATTER Sabres GM Tim Murray says he’d like to pick up another first-round draft pick to add to the second overall pick he already has."I can’t imagine I would trade the second overall pick," Murray said. "I’d like to get a couple of more first-round picks and I have those three third-rounders to us. I certainly know you can’t trade a second for a first, but you might take some money back in a deal to do that and I do have to get to the (cap) floor. There are different ways to get to the floor so I’m exploring all that."
Could a trade centering around the Penguins #22 overall pick and Rob Scuderi be something that the Penguins would entertain? The Sabres have the second pick in the 2nd round (#31 overall).
I do believe the Sabres would have to add some pieces to that proposal in order to jump back into the first round, but I also believe there is some potential here. Could Marcus Foligno be that extra piece? Penguins want playable grit, Foligno was the Sabres 3rd best rel Fenclose player last year.
It all depends how bad the Penguins want to shed Rob Scuderi's contract.
Additionally, the Penguins could always shop the rights of any one of their UFA players for additional draft picks which could be used as ammo to move back up themselves.
And let's be honest, Scuderi will certainly help the Sabres in the Conner McDavid sweepstakes.
Just some food for thought.
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