I don’t think he’d return to the GM that traded him away unless he got a full NMC, don’t ya think? I also think he’s going to sign in the $3MM range and it just might be too rich for us
- WSCTeton17

Idk, rumors had it JR tried to reacquire Hags and it was reported we had a deal in place before he went to Washington (we retained salary so we were unable to reacquire Hags for 1 year following the trade). I could see JR bringing him back for a 3rd line role and moving Horny out for some cap space. Bringing Hags back at 3 million does sound realistic pending some trades to move out cap space. Think of a 3rd line with Hags and McCann at the wings.

Brodin/Zucker for Kessel/J.Johnson would be just what the doctor ordered. I hope this goes down.

Sign Hagelin in free agency and we have a very decent team.

- Barnaby36

I agree with both statements! That trade would really help us. I think Brodin and Zucker would fit our style perfectly. Also I really hope they bring back Hags. I feel his speed and his defensive positioning was missed.

I think Phil is gonna do Phil and RW is right on this one. Phil is gonna veto any trade outside of his 8 destinations. This will put GMJR in a tough spot and force him to either keep Phil (my choice) or to trade him at a severe loss.

I am open to trading Phil, but you gotta get it right and Phil has a crap ton of leverage in this.

It's really hard to get excited about anything Arizona might trade us though.

I like Zucker better than the guys we can afford, unless Anders Lee falls into our range after a down year. Feel like in free agency we'd overpay a guy like Ferland.
- Tojo.

Zona has some good young guys and a high draft pick this year. No show stopper trade but chuchryn would be a nice piece. Maybe Gogo, Crouse and their #11 for Kessel and Maata?

You are right on free agency though. It can be a trap. One thing I keep in mind is that the Pens won't NEED to pick up a Kessel replacement right away.

Zona has some good young guys and a high draft pick this year. No show stopper trade but chuchryn would be a nice piece. Maybe Gogo, Crouse and their #11 for Kessel and Maata?

You are right on free agency though. It can be a trap. One thing I keep in mind is that the Pens won't NEED to pick up a Kessel replacement right away.
- MacPatty

So Kessel is going to waive is NTC to go to the Yotes?

No. No he's not.

So Kessel is going to waive is NTC to go to the Yotes?

No. No he's not.
- MattStrat

Allegedly that is on his 8 team list

Zona has some good young guys and a high draft pick this year. No show stopper trade but chuchryn would be a nice piece. Maybe Gogo, Crouse and their #11 for Kessel and Maata?

You are right on free agency though. It can be a trap. One thing I keep in mind is that the Pens won't NEED to pick up a Kessel replacement right away.
- MacPatty

If that’s the trade then it’s a huge win for AZ. You’re wrong though (unless they trade up with Philly) - AZ picks 14th and the feeling is that Broberg will be available. I wouldn’t call it a “high” pick but supposedly the draft doesn’t really fall off until the picks in the later teens. Lots of excitement around this draft. I think if anything it would be next years 1st rounder from AZ+

Friedman nails it. There wouldn’t be a lot to like coming from AZ. They had so many injuries and struggled to score. A 3-way trade with Ottawa makes perfect sense. Ottawa takes on Hossa and Johnson but receives futures, AZ gets Philbo, Pitt maybe takes on Boedker, maybe we swap first rounders with AZ and Pitts first then goes to Ottawa, some guys would be on the way out from AZ just tough to say who

Btw, I don’t remember if it’s in Friedman’s post or not but the rumor is AZ ownership can’t make a deal for Phil until the new owners are in which makes perfect sense. New ownership is supposed to be sorted out shortly so there’s certainly a case for this to get done prior to the draft

So Kessel is going to waive is NTC to go to the Yotes?

No. No he's not.
- MattStrat

Yes, yes he would. TSN even commented that Zona would be his top preference.

Yes, yes he would. TSN even commented that Zona would be his top preference.
- MacPatty

Friedman is reporting it just as a hunch

Your reported AZ “could be” in the mix

I haven’t seen LeBrun say which teams have contacted on Kessel just that teams on his yes list have reached out

McKenzie confirmed that it’s “when not if” a trade happens

Anything linking Philbo to AZ is speculation at this point

Allegedly that is on his 8 team list
- Guile

But not Minnesota?... Not buying it.

But not Minnesota?... Not buying it.
- MattStrat

If Minnesota were on his list then he couldn’t have denied the trade

It’s only assumed at this point but the assumption is that Phil and his agent would’ve chose unlikely destinations basically giving him a full no move clause. Obvious teams include TO and BOS but probably cap strapped teams and teams in full rebuilds.

There’s probably a spot or two that he really wants to go and it’s possible that AZ back with Tocchet is one of them. They need help on their PP. They need another offensive weapon. They’re also extremely media friendly

Murray and McCann are about to take on Finland for Gold. Malkin won bronze this morning. TSN stream available on Reddit

Murray and McCann are about to take on Finland for Gold. Malkin won bronze this morning. TSN stream available on Reddit
- WSCTeton17

Scratch that. I’m an hour early

But not Minnesota?... Not buying it.
- MattStrat

McKenzie spoke about this on TSN. He said that players will often make a list of teams that they know their respective team can't or won't deal with, i.e. a rival like Philly, a cash-strapped team like Tampa, teams that won't have him back in Boston or Toronto or teams like AZ he knows may not have what the Pens want.

He said players do this specifically so they have a say in their destiny and won't get moved without their say-so. They know ultimately at the end of the day they will have to choose. I wouldn't be shocked if the MIN deal still goes down.

Murray looks really solid. Game MVP yesterday. He isn’t giving up any rebounds so far today and he barely looked phased at the penalty shot against

Murray looks really solid. Game MVP yesterday. He isn’t giving up any rebounds so far today and he barely looked phased at the penalty shot against
- WSCTeton17

I just got home from hockey and put it on right at the start of 2nd.

McKenzie spoke about this on TSN. He said that players will often make a list of teams that they know their respective team can't or won't deal with, i.e. a rival like Philly, a cash-strapped team like Tampa, teams that won't have him back in Boston or Toronto or teams like AZ he knows may not have what the Pens want.

He said players do this specifically so they have a say in their destiny and won't get moved without their say-so. They know ultimately at the end of the day they will have to choose. I wouldn't be shocked if the MIN deal still goes down.
- Rinosaur

Haha I never really thought about any of that before but it makes total sense for a player to do that if it's in their power.

I just got home from hockey and put it on right at the start of 2nd.
- MattStrat

All Canada early on but man are these Finns both fast and poised. Theodore’s goal was a beauty and I believe he or Nurse ripped one off the pipe

I really don't know if that Wild deal is still alive. I remember reading they were trying to have Parise reach out and others to tell him how good it is there, but I don't the timeline of that and the rejection.

As far as Rask is concerned, he had a very down year compared to his previous seasons and yes, injuries played a part. He isn't very good defensively, but he's been solid a generating offense. I don't view him as a 3C, and while I still think he's grossly overpaid, he could be a VERY good 4C.
- Rinosaur

Guess I typed a bit poorly... I did not mean 3C, as I believe he is a forward who can play all 3 spots, I meant wing. I like Bjustad or Bleugar for our 3rd C option. But never can have enough center depth, especially with the 3C options being able to play wing without a huge step down.

All Canada early on but man are these Finns both fast and poised. Theodore’s goal was a beauty and I believe he or Nurse ripped one off the pipe
- WSCTeton17

This 2nd period has been quality hockey man. Hardly any whistles. McCann made a great little play.

This 2nd period has been quality hockey man. Hardly any whistles. McCann made a great little play.
- MattStrat

I’d like to see him shoot that 2 on 1 though. He’s got a great release. That new sling shot release where they don’t lean on their sticks as much

Guess I typed a bit poorly... I did not mean 3C, as I believe he is a forward who can play all 3 spots, I meant wing. I like Bjustad or Bleugar for our 3rd C option. But never can have enough center depth, especially with the 3C options being able to play wing without a huge step down.
- Guile

Center depth is definitely key. Not sure I agree on Bleuger as a 3C option just yet, but I agree with your overall premise. Rask is probably a 3C on a good amount of teams, but on more competitive teams I definitely think he's a great 4C option who can fill in at 3C when injuries occur. I think he's been unfairly evaluated by some because of last season.

McKenzie spoke about this on TSN. He said that players will often make a list of teams that they know their respective team can't or won't deal with, i.e. a rival like Philly, a cash-strapped team like Tampa, teams that won't have him back in Boston or Toronto or teams like AZ he knows may not have what the Pens want.

He said players do this specifically so they have a say in their destiny and won't get moved without their say-so. They know ultimately at the end of the day they will have to choose. I wouldn't be shocked if the MIN deal still goes down.
- Rinosaur

That's how I read the situation as well. There probably are very few team's on Phil's list that will actually trade for him (or at least the Pens will send him to), making it all but a NTC will Phil controls the outcome.

I also didn't read anywhere the Minnesota deal is dead. By considering but leaning no, I interpret it as Phil hoping for a better landing spot but not shutting the door either.

Both teams seem to want this deal, so somebody leaked it, likely in Pittsburgh. So Pens are signalling they want to make a move soon and hopefully get other teams to give better offers now. If they don't get another acceptable one, or if they do and Kessel likes that less, I could still see them circling back to Minnesota.

Center depth is definitely key. Not sure I agree on Bleuger as a 3C option just yet, but I agree with your overall premise. Rask is probably a 3C on a good amount of teams, but on more competitive teams I definitely think he's a great 4C option who can fill in at 3C when injuries occur. I think he's been unfairly evaluated by some because of last season.
- Rinosaur

If he is destined to come here, which being an ex JR player it seems quite feasible, a Rask for JJ swap without moving Kessel/Zucker sounds (frank)ing fantastic. So lets hope he had a bad year and change and he will come back with that ~40 points a year level he had in Carolina.
Granted, getting lesser minutes and such, ~25 points would be big for him in a limited role... but I'd take that over JJ any day.