Is hunwick really untradable? It seems like every year free agency happens and teams end up signing defenseman at far more money than you expect. Plus cap is up huge this year.

Not a fan of trading Hagelin. He still plays a role. Isn't the cap jumping a ton this year which means we have cap space....and the UFA market will be stupid expensive since everyone has cap space.

in one sentence saying you need to sit down to figure out fair value, then immediately deciding around $3MM is fair value is fantastic stuff

I really like Rust but I could see him getting moved. He is an upside grinder but is going to look for a similar contract to Sheary which he isn't worth (neither is Sheary of course).

I think Simon or ZAR could replace him easily on an entry level contract.
- MacPatty

I disagree. At 3M he's good value because he can do a lot of different things. Sheary is more one dimensional so he's the guy I'd move to make way for the cheaper wings (although his contract is fair as well, we just don't need what he brings.)

Rust is a speedy fore-checker who can be used to balance out a line while killing penalties. That doesn't describe any of the younger wings.

Is hunwick really untradable? It seems like every year free agency happens and teams end up signing defenseman at far more money than you expect. Plus cap is up huge this year.

Not a fan of trading Hagelin. He still plays a role. Isn't the cap jumping a ton this year which means we have cap space....and the UFA market will be stupid expensive since everyone has cap space.
- sditulli

Last year that was us.... Think he'd be hard to move with that 2nd year unless believed in him, but the upside isn't much for Hunwick.

Agree on Hagelin. If they want to wade into free agency they can move him after the money is spent, but until they sign a replacement no reason to trade him.

With Hags, Sheahan, Rust, and ZAR the team wouldn't be forced to dress guys like Rowney or Kuhnhackl. Start moving those guys without replacing them with guys that Sully feels can kill penalties and you end up with useless 4th lines.

In a perfect world you move hunwick sheary Simon and Rowney. In order to make this stuff happen someone bigger is going too. Someone we want to stay, and it's not hags. Hags stays as his 4mil last year deal is basically the raise jake gets after next year. I could see someone like maata moved. Teams will absolutely want him. It's counter to think that way as we need defence...but I'd assume Ruth would be all over flipping our d on it's head. We could see upto 3 different players back there next year.

I disagree. At 3M he's good value because he can do a lot of different things. Sheary is more one dimensional so he's the guy I'd move to make way for the cheaper wings (although his contract is fair as well, we just don't need what he brings.)

Rust is a speedy fore-checker who can be used to balance out a line while killing penalties. That doesn't describe any of the younger wings.
- Tojo.

I dunno why people think players can just come in and bang out 30-40 points. I don't think it works like that. There are a bunch of dummies (Mackey included) that think Sprong can replace Kessel's 90 point production. This team doesn't need drastic changes. They lost in the 2nd round in 6 games and had a bunch of injuries. A healthy team probably puts up a better fight.

In a perfect world you move hunwick sheary Simon and Rowney. In order to make this stuff happen someone bigger is going too. Someone we want to stay, and it's not hags. Hags stays as his 4mil last year deal is basically the raise jake gets after next year. I could see someone like maata moved. Teams will absolutely want him. It's counter to think that way as we need defence...but I'd assume Ruth would be all over flipping our d on it's head. We could see upto 3 different players back there next year.
- taleisyreXIII

Nah. Määttä stays. He had a great season. Also I wouldn't want to trade Simon and Rust.

In my perfect world Sheary/Hunwick/Rowney get traded for cap space packaging a pick or something along.

Kühnhackl for as much as some here don't like him is a cheap player and good for the 12th-13th forward spot.

In a perfect world you move hunwick sheary Simon and Rowney. In order to make this stuff happen someone bigger is going too. Someone we want to stay, and it's not hags. Hags stays as his 4mil last year deal is basically the raise jake gets after next year. I could see someone like maata moved. Teams will absolutely want him. It's counter to think that way as we need defence...but I'd assume Ruth would be all over flipping our d on it's head. We could see upto 3 different players back there next year.
- taleisyreXIII

Rowney's contract is up, so he should be gone. I expect GMJR to give Hunwick a chance to rebound. Simon is okay, don't love him or hate him. I don't dislike Sheary like everyone else, but I do think he is the guy who gets moved.

I want Hagelin to stay for sure but at the same time we need to te-sign Oleksiak/Sheahan/Rust/Simon all players I'd want to keep.

Be creative and package 43/22/37.

Guentzel - Crosby - Kessel
Hagelin - Geno - Hornqvist
Simon - Brassard - Sprong
Sheary - Sheahan - Rust

ZAR - 13th F

No major changes needed up front imo. Swap Kessel/Sprong if you'd like

I want Hagelin to stay for sure but at the same time we need to te-sign Oleksiak/Sheahan/Rust/Simon all players I'd want to keep.

Be creative and package 43/22/37.
- Barnaby36

One of those is not like the others.

What do you expect to get out of a 3m contract? You're not a fan of players that put up 30-40 points, can shift seemlessly through every line on the team, without missing a beat?
- j.boyd919

Never said I wasn't a fan. As I said, he has been a great contributor to the team. I just think they have some players that could replace him on minimum contracts. I think ZAR can do everything Rust can do and he has a higher upside. The issue is that there is a salary cap and the Pens need to make some significant changes in the coming years.

They have +40% of their cap space tied up in 4 players. Every year is going to be a squeeze to make it under the cap with a championship caliber team. They are fortunate to have Jake and Brassard on discount contracts this year.

Never said I wasn't a fan. As I said, he has been a great contributor to the team. I just think they have some players that could replace him on minimum contracts. I think ZAR can do everything Rust can do and he has a higher upside. The issue is that there is a salary cap and the Pens need to make some significant changes in the coming years.

They have +40% of their cap space tied up in 4 players. Every year is going to be a squeeze to make it under the cap with a championship caliber team. They are fortunate to have Jake and Brassard on discount contracts this year.
- MacPatty

There is no need to free up cap space unless the intend on going after someone like Calvin De Haan.

team doesn't need drastic changes. They lost in the 2nd round in 6 games and had a bunch of injuries. A healthy team probably puts up a better fight.
- j.boyd919

This.

I honestly wouldn't change a thing to the forward core (aside from seeing Sprong for a while that is) unless some amazing deal the Penguins way.

Brass was very banged up, as was Malkin and to a lesser extent Phil.

I think the Pens just need to tweak the defense a little and they're right back as a main contender next year.

To your other post, I also don't really get the hate for Sheary. Yeah, it's frustrating seeing him not score, but maybe I'm alone in the fact I feel like he's become Hagelin-lite. He does a lot of good things away from the puck to help generate chances and create turnovers. He's just not strong along the boards, that's pretty much it.

Guentzel - Crosby - Kessel
Hagelin - Geno - Hornqvist
Simon - Brassard - Sprong
Sheary - Sheahan - Rust

ZAR - 13th F

No major changes needed up front imo. Swap Kessel/Sprong if you'd like
- Feds91Stammer

Nice try but these line combinations are unrealistic. Kessel doesn't mesh that well with Crosby.

ZAR should be a regular for sure.

Also it's worth mentioning that Brassard can be considered for the top RW position. It could happen.

I'm probably alone in this camp, but not only do I not want the Pens to trade Hagelin, but I want them to re-sign him (to a reasonable cap-hit of course).

I dunno why people think players can just come in and bang out 30-40 points. I don't think it works like that. There are a bunch of dummies (Mackey included) that think Sprong can replace Kessel's 90 point production. This team doesn't need drastic changes. They lost in the 2nd round in 6 games and had a bunch of injuries. A healthy team probably puts up a better fight.
- j.boyd919

The strength of the Pens has been their ability to bring guys up through the system who do just that. The problem is you will end up overpaying everyone if you pay according to stats.

Sheary put up one good season and they overpaid him. Rust had a solid regular season and has scored clutch goals in past playoffs. That being said, he is a 26 year old grinder who has yet to stay healthy for a full season. Anything more than $2M and I would cut ties.

I'm probably alone in this camp, but not only do I not want the Pens to trade Hagelin, but I want them to re-sign him (to a reasonable cap-hit of course).
- Rinosaur

He'd probably ask for $3M per and I'd counter offer with $2.5M max.

There is no need to free up cap space unless the intend on going after someone like Calvin De Haan.
- Feds91Stammer

Dream D-pairing in Detroit
DeKeyser/de Haan

Love it

In a perfect world you move hunwick sheary Simon and Rowney. In order to make this stuff happen someone bigger is going too. Someone we want to stay, and it's not hags. Hags stays as his 4mil last year deal is basically the raise jake gets after next year. I could see someone like maata moved. Teams will absolutely want him. It's counter to think that way as we need defence...but I'd assume Ruth would be all over flipping our d on it's head. We could see upto 3 different players back there next year.
- taleisyreXIII

I could see trading Maatta if they upgraded the defense elsewhere. He's on my list of guys I'm willing to move in the right return provided there's a replacement. He's a solid #4, but the lack of speed and PK ability means I could move on from him.

Nice try but these line combinations are unrealistic. Kessel doesn't mesh that well with Crosby.

ZAR should be a regular for sure.

Also it's worth mentioning that Brassard can be considered for the top RW position. It could happen.
- Barnaby36

That is false.

I dunno why people think players can just come in and bang out 30-40 points. I don't think it works like that. There are a bunch of dummies (Mackey included) that think Sprong can replace Kessel's 90 point production. This team doesn't need drastic changes. They lost in the 2nd round in 6 games and had a bunch of injuries. A healthy team probably puts up a better fight.
- j.boyd919

Agree on not needing big changes.

People have always been a little unrealistic on what they expect from Sprong. Excited to see him, but expecting him to replace Phil is ludicrous.

The strength of the Pens has been their ability to bring guys up through the system who do just that. The problem is you will end up overpaying everyone if you pay according to stats.

Sheary put up one good season and they overpaid him. Rust had a solid regular season and has scored clutch goals in past playoffs. That being said, he is a 26 year old grinder who has yet to stay healthy for a full season. Anything more than $2M and I would cut ties.
- MacPatty

Nah. Määttä stays. He had a great season. Also I wouldn't want to trade Simon and Rust.

In my perfect world Sheary/Hunwick/Rowney get traded for cap space packaging a pick or something along.

Kühnhackl for as much as some here don't like him is a cheap player and good for the 12th-13th forward spot.
- Barnaby36

I'm fine keeping Kuhnhackl as a cheap 12/13 guy that can be inserted when penalty killers are injured. So long as Rowney is gone that line won't be a black joke anymore.

There is no need to free up cap space unless the intend on going after someone like Calvin De Haan.
- Feds91Stammer

This exactly, Pens don't need to dump salary.