I wish we could trade Rutherford instead. I'm over him and his nonsense.
- simethos

Same.

No way do I want to move Simon unless there's actually an upgrade at forward coming back. I think you could package ZAR with JJ to a team like OTT.
- Rinosaur

Yes, that would definitely be preferred. I'm just afraid the Pens are going to get taxed hard because JJ is currently the hottest name in potential salary dumps.

Phil is likely the first domino but I'm hoping Maata will be.

I'd love it if they could move him to a team like Montreal for a decent D prospect and a 3rd round pick.

Having the extra cap space right up front would provide huge leverage for any future moves, including a Kessel deal.
- MacPatty

A cheap, NHL ready replacement and a draft pick would be a good return for Maatta if they can get it. Easier to get that for him than Gudbranson. JJ would take a miracle to move.

A cheap, NHL ready replacement and a draft pick would be a good return for Maatta if they can get it. Easier to get that for him than Gudbranson. JJ would take a miracle to move.
- Tojo.

There was an article published on potential deals/returns for Maatta. I think if Maatta were traded he would have decent trade value. He is a young top 4 pairing Defensemen with multiple cups and playoff experience. He is a bit slow, but he is a pretty solid pairing defensemen. I think he stays and JR goes back with the Schultz Maatta 2nd pairing unless JR believes Petts can hold down that role. I agree with Rinosaur it would be tough, but if they could get rid of Gudbranson and JJ. They save quite a bit of salary. I like Gudbranson, but he is a luxury on the 4th line, and could be replaced with cheaper options.

I think we all should have learned that trading players like Phil or Maatta for cap space is a terrible idea. Did you guys forget what GMJR did with his precious cap space last year?

There was an article published on potential deals/returns for Maatta. I think if Maatta were traded he would have decent trade value. He is a young top 4 pairing Defensemen with multiple cups and playoff experience. He is a bit slow, but he is a pretty solid pairing defensemen. I think he stays and JR goes back with the Schultz Maatta 2nd pairing unless JR believes Petts can hold down that role. I agree with Rinosaur it would be tough, but if they could get rid of Gudbranson and JJ. They save quite a bit of salary. I like Gudbranson, but he is a luxury on the 4th line, and could be replaced with cheaper options.
- 123Kid

With (without) for Pettersson and Malkin.

CF 59.7 (50.4). FF 58.3 (50.4).
SF 58.3 (50.6). xGF 63.4 (50.3)
SCF 64.6 (51.4) HDCF 67.7 (48.6)

Now they only played 227.5 minutes together, but I'd at least want to try playing them more together because Pettersson has a positive impact on most everyone he played with.

If he did play there, he'd bump Maatta down. Safer to keep both, but they need a cap dump somewhere.

I also would be pleasantly surprised if they dumped JJ now and I don't think they plan to scratch him. It's hard to see JJ and Maatta both on the team an either makes an expensive scratch LD, which is a spot they have Riikola for anyways.

With (without) for Pettersson and Malkin.

CF 59.7 (50.4). FF 58.3 (50.4).
SF 58.3 (50.6). xGF 63.4 (50.3)
SCF 64.6 (51.4) HDCF 67.7 (48.6)

Now they only played 227.5 minutes together, but I'd at least want to try playing them more together because Pettersson has a positive impact on most everyone he played with.
- Tojo.

He better get resigned. I know he's RFA so there's a high likelihood he will be but there's still a chance he gets moved.

I think we all should have learned that trading players like Phil or Maatta for cap space is a terrible idea. Did you guys forget what GMJR did with his precious cap space last year?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No question, he butchered the last two off seasons. Kessel isn't being moved for cap space. He's being moved 'cause the team doesn't like his quirks. Maatta would most likely be a cap move.....although it appears they'd prefer to dump JJ.

I think we all should have learned that trading players like Phil or Maatta for cap space is a terrible idea. Did you guys forget what GMJR did with his precious cap space last year?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Well they have to make a cap move because they'll be over the cap otherwise. Nobody is taking JJ as a salary dump with four years left without a great sweetener, so it needs to be someone else.

Maatta or Rust are probably the type you can move and get a cheaper replacement in the deal. Don't know that Gudbranson will be that easy to move.

Lots of Phil articles and potential destinations, so just looking at who would be attractive/plausible from Pens POV:

Arizona: Keller would be great. Galch would be fine but not sure the motive of Arizona other than powerplay maybe. Kessel+ for OEL is probably dreamland (though he is about to be UFA)
Nashville: Ekholm is interesting. I like Granlund. Craig Smith would be a great thrown-in as part of a bigger deal.
Canadiens: man we missed the boat on Domi with the rumors last year. no way he's in play now. Gallagher would be ideal but, obviously, no reason for MON to do that. everyone else (Danault, Petry, Tatar) only mildly interesting

Still need to think about these teams...
Vegas :
Colorado:
b]Panthers:

Lots of Phil articles and potential destinations, so just looking at who would be attractive/plausible from Pens POV:

Arizona: Keller would be great. Galch would be fine but not sure the motive of Arizona other than powerplay maybe. Kessel+ for OEL is probably dreamland (though he is about to be UFA)
Nashville: Ekholm is interesting. I like Granlund. Craig Smith would be a great thrown-in as part of a bigger deal.
Canadiens: man we missed the boat on Domi with the rumors last year. no way he's in play now. Gallagher would be ideal but, obviously, no reason for MON to do that. everyone else (Danault, Petry, Tatar) only mildly interesting

Still need to think about these teams...
Vegas :
Colorado:
b]Panthers:
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Colorado would be a great trading partner if Kessel would waive to go there. Tons of assets and good young players.

He better get resigned. I know he's RFA so there's a high likelihood he will be but there's still a chance he gets moved.
- MattStrat

I haven't seen anything about them considering moving him, other than one or two posters. I think the only question is how many years they sign him for which could bump up the average.

With (without) for Pettersson and Malkin.

CF 59.7 (50.4). FF 58.3 (50.4).
SF 58.3 (50.6). xGF 63.4 (50.3)
SCF 64.6 (51.4) HDCF 67.7 (48.6)

Now they only played 227.5 minutes together, but I'd at least want to try playing them more together because Pettersson has a positive impact on most everyone he played with.

If he did play there, he'd bump Maatta down. Safer to keep both, but they need a cap dump somewhere.

I also would be pleasantly surprised if they dumped JJ now and I don't think they plan to scratch him. It's hard to see JJ and Maatta both on the team an either makes an expensive scratch LD, which is a spot they have Riikola for anyways.
- Tojo.

Did Schultz play with Pettersson a lot last year? I’d be curious to how that pairing would look.

Edit: Only 20 minutes. Numbers looked good in the microscopic sample size though.

I haven't seen anything about them considering moving him, other than one or two posters. I think the only question is how many years they sign him for which could bump up the average.
- Tojo.

Rutherford was quoted this spring saying that a contract with Petts will get done and he’s not worried about it. I referenced it a few weeks ago

Rutherford was quoted this spring saying that a contract with Petts will get done and he’s not worried about it. I referenced it a few weeks ago
- WSCTeton17

Good.

Did Schultz play with Pettersson a lot last year? I’d be curious to how that pairing would look.

Edit: Only 20 minutes. Numbers looked good in the microscopic sample size though.
- j.boyd919

That's what I'd like to see. Pettersson did a nice job with guys who are known for struggling, let's see how he does with guys who can move the puck and score.

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The #Pens have acquired Phil Kessel, Tyler Biggs, and Tim Erixon for Kapanen, Harrington, Spaling, and a 3rd rounder:

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The #Pens have acquired Phil Kessel, Tyler Biggs, and Tim Erixon for Kapanen, Harrington, Spaling, and a 3rd rounder:
- jmatchett383

hahaha

That's what I'd like to see. Pettersson did a nice job with guys who are known for struggling, let's see how he does with guys who can move the puck and score.
- Tojo.

It wasnt for very long at all but I seem to remember liking what I saw from a Petts-Tang pairing.

It wasnt for very long at all but I seem to remember liking what I saw from a Petts-Tang pairing.
- MattStrat

I can't see them getting rid of Pets unless its part of a bigger deal with Kessel.....even then I think he stays...I do think 2 Dmen will be shipped out. JJ+Maata/Shultz.

Letang-Dumo
Pets-Maata/Shultz
Gubs-Rikolla/Ruds