I work for a certain employer doing certain things.
- Reverend Killtaker

So I’m gonna assume you stick mostly to the burbs. Possibly McLean.

What makes me curious about this deal if it in fact goes down is whether or not it means Maatta stays. I’d be ecstatic if he did.

What makes me curious about this deal if it in fact goes down is whether or not it means Maatta stays. I’d be ecstatic if he did.
- Rinosaur

I was trying to go down the list of potential Maatta destinations the other day and Detroit seemed the most logical place. They have cap space and his past history with Daley.

What makes me curious about this deal if it in fact goes down is whether or not it means Maatta stays. I’d be ecstatic if he did.
- Rinosaur

I really dont know much of Zucker or Rask but looking at the contracts Zuckers deal expires in his early 30's and Rask has 1 less year than JJ.

I think Maata is fine and not really needed to be moved.

Either way Kessel is done.

I was trying to go down the list of potential Maatta destinations the other day and Detroit seemed the most logical place. They have cap space and his past history with Daley.
- Za Warudo

I actually think Dallas and Anaheim make sense. Detroit has some good young dmen. I don’t think they need someone like Maatta.

Pierre LeBrun heard Minnesota is not on Phil’s list of teams

I would do JJ for Rask straight up all day

Pierre LeBrun heard Minnesota is not on Phil’s list of teams

I would do JJ for Rask straight up all day
- WSCTeton17

That doesn’t mean he can’t still OK a trade, but that does make it more difficult.

I actually think Dallas and Anaheim make sense. Detroit has some good young dmen. I don’t think they need someone like Maatta.
- Rinosaur

Anaheim has Fowler and Lindholm on the left side already, I don’t think they’d want him on their third pair when their top 4 is playing 22-23 minutes a night. Dotchin will be coming up on the right side. Dallas has Heiskenen, Lindell, and then Oleksiak

If its Zucker and Rask for Kessel and Johnson... My name is on the definitely do it side!
Kessel and Johnson being 32 decline is coming quick... Kessel in minnesota next year wont put up 82 points. 70 is still real good yes but zucker is quite a good player himself and I wouldnt count out him getting 65 playing with malkin. In my opinion Rask can still be a good 4th liner at 26 years old compared to johnsons 32 years old and an average at best 7th dman. Rask with 1 less contract year as well. Lets do it!!!

Pens and Wild are in discussions...

"It is believed Jason Zucker, the speedy Wild forward who scored 76 goals the past three seasons, would be part of the deal. Minnesota made it clear to other franchises that Zucker, 27, is available.

The Penguins and Wild also discussed a couple of players with long-term contracts in Jack Johnson and Victor Rask."

"The deal has been on the table for days. It is believed the only holdup at this time is Kessel, who has the right to veto the trade."
- madmike71

I feel like the wild would have to add something a little extra to sweeten the pot. Victor Rask/JJ is a wash. The deal is essentially Zucker for Kessel. Like someone else said, I’d rather the team just bought out Johnson and kept Kessel.

Honestly, I like Ruhwedel as a depth player. I was kind of pissed he didn't get more opportunity last year when absolutely none of the LD could handle switching sides. I think Sully pretty much butchered that.
- madmike71

Solid signing. 700k is the new league minimum. With Sully becoming a lefty/right guy halfway through the season the Pens need depth on both sides since WBS has nothing.

If its Zucker and Rask for Kessel and Johnson... My name is on the definitely do it side!
Kessel and Johnson being 32 decline is coming quick... Kessel in minnesota next year wont put up 82 points. 70 is still real good yes but zucker is quite a good player himself and I wouldnt count out him getting 65 playing with malkin. In my opinion Rask can still be a good 4th liner at 26 years old compared to johnsons 32 years old and an average at best 7th dman. Rask with 1 less contract year as well. Lets do it!!!
- pens4life-66

Zucker has played a ton of hockey with Eric Staal these last two years so in a sense they fed off each other. He’s used to getting PP1 time which he isn’t a lock for in Pitt. He had a really down year as far as shooting %. He has excelled facing some weaker competition. I would say 55 is a safe assumption, with your 65 being an entertainable reality for sure. He shoots like crazy, he’s the LW Malkin needs

Solid signing. 700k is the new league minimum. With Sully becoming a lefty/right guy halfway through the season the Pens need depth on both sides since WBS has nothing.
- Tojo.

I’m really glad we got him locked up. Hey, did you know him and Vic share a birthday?!

I’m sure we’ll find out that both Parise and Suter had a mysterious, unverified allergy as soon as their production dips...
- Za Warudo

I’m really glad we got him locked up. Hey, did you know him and Vic share a birthday?!
- WSCTeton17

Lol forgot about that

Lol forgot about that
- Victoro311

An elephant never forgets. No harm in hearing fun facts here and there. I’ve got the same birthday as Carter and actually we played similar styles, I was always a big Carter fan

BTW Hornqvist scores again for Sweden

I love Zucker and think he's exactly what Malkin needs and has been my main target. Very fast. Strong at both ends, even kills penalties and has gotten Selke votes. 4 1/2 years younger.

Even strength scorer: Has 173 career ES points compared to 36 PP points so like Guentzel he doesn't need to be on the top PP to produce which is important here.

Good bounce back potential: In a down year he had 21g and 42 points. Last year had 33 and 64, 25 and 46 at ES.

For context Kessel has been 15 or 22 ES goals (both twice) and 40, 42, 48, and 46 ES points. So at ES, Zucker is capable of producing just as much offense as Phil while adding speed and caring about defense.

PP, Phil is one of the best and they'll miss him, but this will be a big help for Malkin if it happens.

I love Zucker and think he's exactly what Malkin needs and has been my main target. Very fast. Strong at both ends, even kills penalties and has gotten Selke votes. 4 1/2 years younger.

Even strength scorer: Has 173 career ES points compared to 36 PP points so like Guentzel he doesn't need to be on the top PP to produce which is important here.

Good bounce back potential: In a down year he had 21g and 42 points. Last year had 33 and 64, 25 and 46 at ES.

For context Kessel has been 15 or 22 ES goals (both twice) and 40, 42, 48, and 46 ES points. So at ES, Zucker is capable of producing just as much offense as Phil while adding speed and caring about defense.

PP, Phil is one of the best and they'll miss him, but this will be a big help for Malkin if it happens.
- Tojo.

I don’t think our power play is going to take a big hit. Our power play in the 14 season was also one of the best of this decade and that was before we had Phil. It’s just going to have to make adjustments

One more Zucker stat: his team's on ice shooting percentage was an even 6%. Again, great bounce back potential. 25g 50pt is a conservative estimate and that's not even talking about going from Minnesota to Pittsburgh, playing with Malkin, or that just a year prior he had 33 and 64.

After reading all of your posts, thoughts and analysis on him... I think I'm now a little sucker for Zucker.

Let's get him.

Seriously though... Why Phil?... To my eyes he was the best and most engaged Penguin vs the Isles. Had another great reg season fresh off a career year, the season before. Highest playoff points total of any Penguin the past 4 years (I think). I dunno about losing Phil.

Any way to get Zucker without losing Phil?.. Would they be interested in Maatta?