Yes, but Schultz would be getting moved for a $6M/year player. It's a wash.
- Rinosaur

Why?... I said trade him for an ELCer and/or prospect(s) and/or or picks.

He was even at 5v5 play in his last 41 games. Was third on the team in 5v5 points. He was fine. People crapping on him for being good to finish the season are the same that think JJ finished the season fine.
- burgh4life87

Whoops yeah you’re right. For some reason NSTs filters didn’t update.

Are the other top 5 American born scorers in the HOF? If so, I see no reason why Kessel wouldn’t be.
- j.boyd919

Modo is in, he’s had Hart votes 6 times.
Brett Hull but he’s actually Canadian, Hart votes 5 times and won once
Lafontaine with numerous Hart votes
Joe Mullen is probably the only one Phil is close to and he was a 3 time cup winner and was an All-Star every year in his prime, he won the Byng twice
I think it’s hard to compare D to forwards but Chelios has Norris votes 17 times and won a few
Leetch has Norris votes 15 times, won 2

Like I said, for the HHOF I don’t think Phil is really close to any of these guys. USHHOF? Sure

Arizona has about 7 mill in space, they would probably insist on returning someone just to be safe. Either way, could clear like 5.5 mill and get a 1st out of it.
- burgh4life87

Chayka has already stated that he’s not interesting in detracting from his roster. So is a trade possible? Of course but I would say it’s unlikely unless he thinks he’s the clear winner. Talking to the guys they all know a top 6 forward is coming in. I don’t anticipate the Coyotes to trade for a top 6 forward at the draft unless it’s a no brainer. That’s also the main speculation for all teams is that they’ll wait to talk to UFAs and maybe even RFAs before the trade market erupts

Whoops yeah you’re right. For some reason NSTs filters didn’t update.
- j.boyd919

Still, people being mad over someone being an even player at 5v5 is amusing. Considering it was apparently horrible play to the eye test, yet he was perfectly even and producing as our 3rd best forward.

Chayka has already stated that he’s not interesting in detracting from his roster. So is a trade possible? Of course but I would say it’s unlikely unless he thinks he’s the clear winner. Talking to the guys they all know a top 6 forward is coming in. I don’t anticipate the Coyotes to trade for a top 6 forward at the draft unless it’s a no brainer. That’s also the main speculation for all teams is that they’ll wait to talk to UFAs and maybe even RFAs before the trade market erupts
- WSCTeton17

Chayka wasn't interested in doing a top 6 for top 6 trade. With 7 mill in space though and 2 roster spots to fill he would either ask for money being retained on the deal, or have to add some contract going the other way in order to make it easier to resign someone.
Also, multiple GM's on the athletic article the other day said the exact opposite. They said getting an impact player in free agency is so rare, the only right way to do so is via trade. So they aren't waiting on UFA season, they are waiting on a true cap hit.

Still, people being mad over someone being an even player at 5v5 is amusing. Considering it was apparently horrible play to the eye test, yet he was perfectly even and producing as our 3rd best forward.
- burgh4life87

Not to mention his elite PP abilities.

Arizona has about 7 mill in space, they would probably insist on returning someone just to be safe. Either way, could clear like 5.5 mill and get a 1st out of it.
- burgh4life87

Dvorak maybe? He'd be a decent pick up.

Then who replaces Schultz?
- MattStrat

The one UFA who would be a clear upgrade on Schultz and wouldn't alter the cost much is Gardiner, but he's a lefty.

Unless they find a way to move JJ, I don't see where they'd add a 2nd pair RD though. They could gamble on Gudbranson as second RD an Ruhwedel as 3rd.

Dumo-Letang
Gardiner-Gudbranson
Pettersson-Ruhwedel/JJ

I'd feel better dumping JJ and getting someone undervalued like Miller or Shattenkirk if he's bought out, but that may be too many moving parts for GMJR.

The one UFA who would be a clear upgrade on Schultz and wouldn't alter the cost much is Gardiner, but he's a lefty.

Unless they find a way to move JJ, I don't see where they'd add a 2nd pair RD though. They could gamble on Gudbranson as second RD an Ruhwedel as 3rd.

Dumo-Letang
Gardiner-Gudbranson
Pettersson-Ruhwedel/JJ

I'd feel better dumping JJ and getting someone undervalued like Miller or Shattenkirk if he's bought out, but that may be too many moving parts for GMJR.
- Tojo.

I think Schultz and Gardiner are washes tbh. I don't see him as a clear update. Lets be honest: this was probably Schultz's worst season as a Penguin. He'll rebound.

Dvorak maybe? He'd be a decent pick up.
- Barnaby36

I was honestly thinking Brad Richardson. He isn't in their future plans, and is some cap space heading out just to give them enough room this season to stay compliant. Chayka doesn't want to give up anything they deem future for a top 6 winger. He will trade picks, not current talent.

Chayka wasn't interested in doing a top 6 for top 6 trade. With 7 mill in space though and 2 roster spots to fill he would either ask for money being retained on the deal, or have to add some contract going the other way in order to make it easier to resign someone.
Also, multiple GM's on the athletic article the other day said the exact opposite. They said getting an impact player in free agency is so rare, the only right way to do so is via trade. So they aren't waiting on UFA season, they are waiting on a true cap hit.
- burgh4life87

And yet huge money is still paid out to UFAs every July 1st. Yzerman was one of those GMs interviewed. When he got to Tampa he already had Hedman, Stammer and guys like St.Louis on the roster

The big key that you’re possibly forgetting with AZ is Hossa’s contract. They’ll move it if they need to, same with vegas and the Clarkson contract

I think Schultz and Gardiner are washes tbh. I don't see him as a clear update. Lets be honest: this was probably Schultz's worst season as a Penguin. He'll rebound.
- Barnaby36

Gardiner is a top pairing defenseman. Schultz is not.

I was honestly thinking Brad Richardson. He isn't in their future plans, and is some cap space heading out just to give them enough room this season to stay compliant. Chayka doesn't want to give up anything they deem future for a top 6 winger. He will trade picks, not current talent.
- burgh4life87

I know Brad. I see him almost every week. He’s the leader of the rookies and is the guy who gets the team to go out on the road and all that. He’s been a phenomenal Coyote for his cap hit and he’s one of the few cup winners (LA) on this team.

My guess is that AZ’s biggest trade chip is their 2020 1st rounder. I was told by a coach that Hayton is untouchable rn. Idk if they’d move on from one of the Chicago guys in Hinostroza or Fischer

Everyone who covers the team basically has the same opinion: unless it’s a steal or a FA it’s likely one year too early to be looking to add “the piece” in a trade

He’s being shopped. Winnipeg wants a young roster player coming back
- WSCTeton17

Ehlers is 23....dont get much younger than that. If the Pens could get him they would be set up nicely.

Gardiner is a top pairing defenseman. Schultz is not.
- j.boyd919

Gardiner is a legit #2

https://frozenpool.dobber...com/players/jake-gardiner

There’s going to be a big market for him. My guess is he comes in around 8-8.5 AAV somewhere. Plenty of options: MTL, CBJ (if they trade Murray which rumor is they’re exploring), NJD (they could trade Vats), MIN (and then move Brodin), STL could use more help on the left especially with J Bo only having one year left, I could see LA going after him, VAN for sure since there are rumors of Edler walking (lack of NMC) and they’re shopping Hutton

Ehlers is 23....dont get much younger than that. If the Pens could get him they would be set up nicely.
- sammy87

Sportsnet said they’d be looking for a young D or a young forward who’s also looking to rebound

He was even at 5v5 play in his last 41 games. Was third on the team in 5v5 points. He was fine. People crapping on him for being good to finish the season are the same that think JJ finished the season fine.
- burgh4life87

Phil went 30 games without an ES goal the second half, that's where the slump talk came from.

Being even (and I'd agree 5v5 GF% is a better stat) when you're getting heavy offensive zone starts you want to do better than even. The last 2 years, Malkin and Phil when playing together total -1 while losing possession and getting heavy offensive zone starts. That's not good for that type of talent, just breaking even.

BTW, they we're +1 with JJ and -2 without him, so this isn't an issue that goes away with JJ.

Gardiner is a legit #2

https://frozenpool.dobber...com/players/jake-gardiner

There’s going to be a big market for him. My guess is he comes in around 8-8.5 AAV somewhere. Plenty of options: MTL, CBJ (if they trade Murray which rumor is they’re exploring), NJD (they could trade Vats), MIN (and then move Brodin), STL could use more help on the left especially with J Bo only having one year left, I could see LA going after him, VAN for sure since there are rumors of Edler walking (lack of NMC) and they’re shopping Hutton
- WSCTeton17

I was thinking 7. Toronto media as roasted him, of course, but he's a consistent +2% relative player. Schultz was -2% even in 17-18.

Sportsnet said they’d be looking for a young D or a young forward who’s also looking to rebound
- WSCTeton17

Yeah JJ is only 32!

Why?... I said trade him for an ELCer and/or prospect(s) and/or or picks.
- MattStrat

I thought this was originally premised on the idea if Schultz for Ehlers.

ALERT: before anyone flips out I said earlier that WPG wouldn’t do that.

Phil went 30 games without an ES goal the second half, that's where the slump talk came from.

Being even (and I'd agree 5v5 GF% is a better stat) when you're getting heavy offensive zone starts you want to do better than even. The last 2 years, Malkin and Phil when playing together total -1 while losing possession and getting heavy offensive zone starts. That's not good for that type of talent, just breaking even.

BTW, they we're +1 with JJ and -2 without him, so this isn't an issue that goes away with JJ.
- Tojo.

at 5v5 for the season Phil Kessel and Geno w/o JJ had 20 goals for and 18 against.
With Johnson the trio had 10 goals for and 9 against
JJ on the ice without phil or geno 25 goals for and 33 against

Are the other top 5 American born scorers in the HOF? If so, I see no reason why Kessel wouldn’t be.
- j.boyd919

The other ones played more than one end of ice also.

Let's be honest...if the Pens could get a bag of used practice pucks in exchange for any pick not in the first round and JJ everyone on here (minus a select 1 or 2) would be ecstatic!

I don't see the team being all that active in the high priced talent out there, which stinks because if they had another $3 million or so they could at least entertain some of the guys listed on the trade bait board.

And yet huge money is still paid out to UFAs every July 1st. Yzerman was one of those GMs interviewed. When he got to Tampa he already had Hedman, Stammer and guys like St.Louis on the roster

The big key that you’re possibly forgetting with AZ is Hossa’s contract. They’ll move it if they need to, same with vegas and the Clarkson contract
- WSCTeton17

And Yzerman made a lot of trades and almost rarely had any involvement in Free agency. Not sure what you were trying to say there.

Also, I didn't forget about Hossa, the only team that would willingly take that on is Ottawa but they are so cheap they will not.