I think a Kessel / Trouba based deal may make some sense. I have no idea what Kessel's no trade list looks like so not going to speculate on that. But hockey wise, it could make sense.

Vic something is my alt...
- Guile

How many alts do you have, altboy?

How many alts do you have, altboy?
- jmatchett383

Infinite

I think a Kessel / Trouba based deal may make some sense. I have no idea what Kessel's no trade list looks like so not going to speculate on that. But hockey wise, it could make sense.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Well, part of the reason Winnipeg wants to trade him, aside from the fact that he doesn't seem to love living in the desolate wasteland of Winnipeg, is that they won't be able to afford him based on his reported demands. I'm not sure taking on a $6.8M contract is what they're looking to do.

But yes, from a purely hockey-related POV, it's a good deal.

Trading Phil would be a colossal mistake imho. We should do everything you can to keep him and move who doesn't fit, including Sullivan. How Phil isn't looked at as "Core 4" by many is perplexing to me.

Phil's "team" risk seem to be these rumored intangibles, and I think that translates to locker room cancer for most on the outside so the return may not be top "value" for Phil, hence jumping the gun/colossal mistake. Not saying he doesn't have a shelf life..but I'd be looking at replacing the coach first if that's the rub.

I'd honestly advocate for:
Trade Letang
Buyout JJ
bury Cullen
Draft/promote per usual more young legs and top available talent to the team to replace the latter two. Not every year needs to be a splash year regarding rosters, drafts and such..trimming fat and forging ahead also is a strategy that works when needed. It's needed.

I think many teams could find a fit for Letang and would be willing to trade high draft picks and servicable replacement level production for him. He's peak career right now. His stats are top 5 Dman in past 8 years. And by all accounts he's a pleasure to have in class. It's physical risk with him, but he's been durable. He's a great sell HIGH candidate!

Either way, they're going to have move someone key or get REALLY creative and crafty to keep the core talent and add some needed help. My solution to start as indicated above ^^

I think a Kessel / Trouba based deal may make some sense. I have no idea what Kessel's no trade list looks like so not going to speculate on that. But hockey wise, it could make sense.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I cant see Phil coming back to Canada...especially not Winterpeg. Although if what we're hearing is true it seems he's serious about wanting to win more championships and that's being a big factor in him ok'n a trade...Winnipeg has a great solid top to bottom team to do that.

I saw your original comment that you deleted claiming that he was officially bought out and I scrambled to google search haha. I dont think this is accurate.
- MattStrat

Was going by this sites cap info. Corrected.

A chunk of that time is due to cancer.

Dumoulin didnt come into his own until 24/25.

Big step back this year?...who were his common line mates compared to other years?
- MattStrat

Schultz never really got going this year and was a disaster as well. I don't think Maatta was particularly good, but other than Pettersson, and in his small sample Gudbranson he was their best defenseman in the bottom 4 and didn't get to play with anyone that helped him.

Not to mention the bottom 3 lines were also a mess outside of the Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist line at the end of the year.

I think a Kessel / Trouba based deal may make some sense. I have no idea what Kessel's no trade list looks like so not going to speculate on that. But hockey wise, it could make sense.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Phil's best asset is his ability to run the PP from the left boards, but that's where Laine plays so I don't see a fit in Winnipeg. And honestly with Trouba's rumored contract demands of over 8M I wouldn't really want him. He's good, but not that good.

Interesting development...

Taylor Hall does not want to sign an extension with NJ. While a trade with a division rival for major players is generally unlikely, I personally think this is a golden opportunity for a Kessel/Hall swap.

I think that would be pretty fair, but who knows how Kessel feels about playing in NJ.

Except for when he blatantly avoided a check behind the net in the playoffs that directly resulted in a goal against. That is the only troubling thing I saw out of him....and it doesn't suit your physicality narrative neither does the fact he was 2nd last in hits per game for the Pens D.

I see a player whos a great skater, good first passer, takes plenty of good shots from point and good on exits and entries but not overly physical, which I'm fine with, but he does need to man up in a situation like what happened vs the Isles this year.
- MattStrat

I can’t unsee that play either but it’s also a learning experience. Maybe next year he slows down and eases into the hit so he can make a better play on the puck. It’s incredibly coachable

I can’t unsee that play either but it’s also a learning experience. Maybe next year he slows down and eases into the hit so he can make a better play on the puck. It’s incredibly coachable
- WSCTeton17

Exactly and he was a rookie after all.

Trading Phil would be a colossal mistake imho. We should do everything you can to keep him and move who doesn't fit, including Sullivan. How Phil isn't looked at as "Core 4" by many is perplexing to me.

Phil's "team" risk seem to be these rumored intangibles, and I think that translates to locker room cancer for most on the outside so the return may not be top "value" for Phil, hence jumping the gun/colossal mistake. Not saying he doesn't have a shelf life..but I'd be looking at replacing the coach first if that's the rub.

I'd honestly advocate for:
Trade Letang
Buyout JJ
bury Cullen
Draft/promote per usual more young legs and top available talent to the team to replace the latter two. Not every year needs to be a splash year regarding rosters, drafts and such..trimming fat and forging ahead also is a strategy that works when needed. It's needed.

I think many teams could find a fit for Letang and would be willing to trade high draft picks and servicable replacement level production for him. He's peak career right now. His stats are top 5 Dman in past 8 years. And by all accounts he's a pleasure to have in class. It's physical risk with him, but he's been durable. He's a great sell HIGH candidate!

Either way, they're going to have move someone key or get REALLY creative and crafty to keep the core talent and add some needed help. My solution to start as indicated above ^^
- Little Katarina

I'm gonna have to disagree. Crosby and Malkin have maybe 3 more years, at most, where they can still be mega stars (top-10 players in the league). After that, they'll still be stars, but will no longer contend for any major individual award. The window isn't closed, but it's closing soon, so I don't think they can spend a season as a "trim the fat" season unless they're finished with the Crosby era. There's no wiggle room to tread water/develop, they need to take swift action.

Now, I agree that changes need to be made, and I also agree that Kessel shouldn't be traded unless it makes the team, as a whole, better right now. But standing pat and making marginal moves for marginal players just to repeat last year is not acceptable.

Interesting development...

Taylor Hall does not want to sign an extension with NJ. While a trade with a division rival for major players is generally unlikely, I personally think this is a golden opportunity for a Kessel/Hall swap.

I think that would be pretty fair, but who knows how Kessel feels about playing in NJ.
- Rinosaur

I don't think that report was a very reliable source.

Interesting development...

Taylor Hall does not want to sign an extension with NJ. While a trade with a division rival for major players is generally unlikely, I personally think this is a golden opportunity for a Kessel/Hall swap.

I think that would be pretty fair, but who knows how Kessel feels about playing in NJ.
- Rinosaur

I’m not saying this for the sake of arguing: Taylor Hall is worth way more than Kessel. You told us Kessel isn’t good enough to package off to dump JJ. Is Hall?

Seriously though, thanks for the update but I don’t see it as a fit. AZ is barely a fit and they just missed the playoffs. NJD is not close unless they seriously add in the offseason. Phil’s complaint about MN was who was going to get him the puck. If Hall is out of NJD why wouldn’t he have the same argument?

Just about every team is going to be in on Hall. Basically everyone who doesn’t get Bread will be there. What’s worse is this drives down the market for Phil. I would LOVE to see him end up in calgary and battle against his old teammates. My pick though has to be Colorado. They have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds this year, a number of RFAs (hello Jost, Compher, Zadorov)

I don't think that report was a very reliable source.
- jmatchett383

Ah ok.

I’m not saying this for the sake of arguing: Taylor Hall is worth way more than Kessel. You told us Kessel isn’t good enough to package off to dump JJ. Is Hall?

Seriously though, thanks for the update but I don’t see it as a fit. AZ is barely a fit and they just missed the playoffs. NJD is not close unless they seriously add in the offseason. Phil’s complaint about MN was who was going to get him the puck. If Hall is out of NJD why wouldn’t he have the same argument?

Just about every team is going to be in on Hall. Basically everyone who doesn’t get Bread will be there. What’s worse is this drives down the market for Phil. I would LOVE to see him end up in calgary and battle against his old teammates. My pick though has to be Colorado. They have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds this year, a number of RFAs (hello Jost, Compher, Zadorov)
- WSCTeton17

When opening night of this season comes, Hischier and Hughes will be leagues better than any Minnesota forward. And while Kessel doesn't fit NJ's youth movement, he'd be a good player for guys like Hughes and Hischier to play with.

But I don't believe that report.

When opening night of this season comes, Hischier and Hughes will be leagues better than any Minnesota forward. And while Kessel doesn't fit NJ's youth movement, he'd be a good player for guys like Hughes and Hischier to play with.

But I don't believe that report.
- jmatchett383

I don’t think Phil’s statement was just about forwards, I thought he was referring to the team as a whole and that NJD D corps needs a lot of work

When opening night of this season comes, Hischier and Hughes will be leagues better than any Minnesota forward. And while Kessel doesn't fit NJ's youth movement, he'd be a good player for guys like Hughes and Hischier to play with.

But I don't believe that report.
- jmatchett383

Yeah it's not very often players make it clear they're not interested in an extension when they still have a full season of contract left.

Yeah it's not very often players make it clear they're not interested in an extension when they still have a full season of contract left.
- MattStrat

After Panarin did it and the Isles lost Tavares though, if I'm NJ I'd want to find out early. They likely aren't a contender this year but they're getting a franchise center so if Hall isn't staying they have to consider trading him.

https://www.pensburgh.com...ason-zucker-pens-addition

Surprised none of us posted this earlier. Mackenzie saying Phil to Minnesota isn't quite dead, but is probably 1 for 1 for Zucker.

Worth the quick read, but basically a game of chicken where Kessel wants another team but GMJR likes Zucker more than anything else offered. Zucker will likely be traded by the draft or at least the end of the month.

Phil's preferred destinations are Arizona and Vegas, but Vegas got Stone and might not have interest now and Arizona doesn't have anything that appealing.

Neither side wants to stay in Pittsburgh, so Phil has to risk if Minnesota pulls their offer and nobody he likes better pays enough to get him out of Pittsburgh.

I'm gonna have to disagree. Crosby and Malkin have maybe 3 more years, at most, where they can still be mega stars (top-10 players in the league). After that, they'll still be stars, but will no longer contend for any major individual award. The window isn't closed, but it's closing soon, so I don't think they can spend a season as a "trim the fat" season unless they're finished with the Crosby era. There's no wiggle room to tread water/develop, they need to take swift action.

Now, I agree that changes need to be made, and I also agree that Kessel shouldn't be traded unless it makes the team, as a whole, better right now. But standing pat and making marginal moves for marginal players just to repeat last year is not acceptable.
- jmatchett383

Trimming fat allows for other opportunities to open though, esp if you move Letang for his perceived value. Yes you "still don't have Letang" but IF the returns are solid and overall Pens improve, it's a win.

Zucker for Kessel straight up is asinine and in no way helps the Pens. But, if Phil is done here, then he's done. I don't have to like it though haha.

Nothing more than a mental scenario though. Itll be interesting to see how it really shakes out here soon!