If we are going to take on a crappy contract for a major sweetener I would rather take on Lucic than JJ. So painful to watch play D.

First off Rust has more value than either of those prospects and no way we would give up Rust just do get rid of JJ’s contract. I would rather just buy him out before ever giving up our fastest player who scores at a 20 goal and 40 point pace when in the lineup.

We are talking $3.25 million cap hit. It is really scary to think people believe that is a sum that needs a top prospect or good NHL player to elevate. This is not a big contract in today’s NHL. You do realize that his cap hit would be the 5th highest paid defenseman on the majority of NHL teams. Also he would by the 6th highest paid defenseman on 4 teams and that will be 5 teams when Butcher who is an RFA signs his deal. So on most teams that cap hit is bottom pairing money and even a handful of teams he would be the 6th highest paid defenseman on the team. The way the insanity on this board is you would be thinking it was Lucic money. JJ can be traded and without even spicing things up. You could trade him for a 7th without any retention and if retention was needed it would not be more than $1 million retained.
- MalkinCrosby

Uh yeah I would. Now that the Pens have Jared Mccaan, Blueger performing well and Kahun coming in Rust is just in the way.

JR has rid himself of some bad contracts in the past. Also I agree with JJ's contract really isn't too bad to move. It is 3.25 million which isn't as bad as most. Plus his ability on the pk may attract some teams.

JR has rid himself of some bad contracts in the past. Also I agree with JJ's contract really isn't too bad to move. It is 3.25 million which isn't as bad as most. Plus his ability on the pk may attract some teams.
- 123Kid

Pens were one of the worst PK teams in the league last year and JJ was a mainstay on it.

LOL, RW seemed almost giddy in writing this blog... probably the first time such a positive tone has been struck here in quite some time...

Any thoughts on who RW's next whipping boy will be, if JJ does get moved?

LOL, RW seemed almost giddy in writing this blog... probably the first time such a positive tone has been struck here in quite some time...

Any thoughts on who RW's next whipping boy will be, if JJ does get moved?
- Cousinskrid

Tanev, Hornqvist, Gudbranson are the ones he's criticized the most, so whichever of them as the worst season.

JR has rid himself of some bad contracts in the past. Also I agree with JJ's contract really isn't too bad to move. It is 3.25 million which isn't as bad as most. Plus his ability on the pk may attract some teams.
- 123Kid

He was actually their worst pk defenseman by almost every metric other than Ruhwedel. It wasn't the huge gap like on 5v5, but I know I wouldn't miss him there either.

There's still some pretty attractive names in the UFA's out there....

LOL, RW seemed almost giddy in writing this blog... probably the first time such a positive tone has been struck here in quite some time...

Any thoughts on who RW's next whipping boy will be, if JJ does get moved?
- Cousinskrid

Anyone being paid much more than their production warrants.

There's still some pretty attractive names in the UFA's out there....
- MattStrat

Yah there are. I was shocked to see both Dzingle and Ferland still available. Also, I was relieved we didn't sign them

JJ, Rust, and a 2nd for Max Domi

Then use the cap space for the RFAs and a possible rental at the deadline

JJ, Rust, and a 2nd for Max Domi

Then use the cap space for the RFAs and a possible rental at the deadline
- pier6687

LOL, RW seemed almost giddy in writing this blog... probably the first time such a positive tone has been struck here in quite some time...

Any thoughts on who RW's next whipping boy will be, if JJ does get moved?
- Cousinskrid

I like that you think there will only be one.

JJ, Rust, and a 2nd for Max Domi

Then use the cap space for the RFAs and a possible rental at the deadline
- pier6687

Why would Montreal ever do that? Ask yourself that question.

JJ, Rust, and a 2nd for Max Domi

Then use the cap space for the RFAs and a possible rental at the deadline
- pier6687

this may be the worst trade proposal in hockeybuzz history

Anyone being paid much more than their production warrants.
- MattStrat

In that case I'll rank them:

1) Gudbranson- unless he repeats last year's phenomenal numbers, will be hard to add 4M value from the 3rd pair

2) Hornqvist- technically last year his numbers were appropriate for his salary, they were just too loaded to the first half of the season so decline is a real concern

3) Tanev- actually produced in line with his salary, but has only done it once

4) Schultz- really needs to bounce back, and if he signs a big extension and doesn't, that's prime whipping boy material

5) Rust- will see a reduction in points if he no longer has Crosby and Guentzel as his most common linemates, but how much? Below 15g 30pt level isn't worth 3.5M

JJ, Rust, and a 2nd for Max Domi

Then use the cap space for the RFAs and a possible rental at the deadline
- pier6687

Not your best effort on this one.

The funny thing is...after all of the crap that Rutherford has done (especially in free agency) watch him actually pull this off.
- cranktheradio

He traded Scuderi so anything is possible.

JR has rid himself of some bad contracts in the past. Also I agree with JJ's contract really isn't too bad to move. It is 3.25 million which isn't as bad as most. Plus his ability on the pk may attract some teams.
- 123Kid

Aside from Scuderi, any bad contract he’s moved he replaced with other bad contracts.

I’m hoping he’s able to right at least one of the wrongs.

Everyone should go read Jesse Marshall's Twitter right now.

Everyone should go read Jesse Marshall's Twitter right now.
- Tojo.

The Rust dragging everyone down thing? Yeah I saw that. Interesting read. Along with the Horny impact.

Not sure that is a fair assessment. They have the cap space. It is for only one year. The owner was willing to spend 4.5 million to get a first round pick. I think it shows he is at least committed to improving the team in the future.
- VT001

They don't have the cap space to go big game hunting and still sign Necas and Svechnikov in the next two years.

Everyone should go read Jesse Marshall's Twitter right now.
- Tojo.

basically confirms what a lot of us have said, moving a legit 3rd line center instead of a replaceable winger in Rust would be a mistake. Ideally JJ is the one to go, but realistically it has to be Rust? Right?

Everyone should go read Jesse Marshall's Twitter right now.
- Tojo.

Well, not shocking... Rust is VERY streaky and his speed is the main/only asset he has.

Horny, while having that big decline in the last 20 or so games, was looking (frank)ing dominant on the 3rd line. I think we were all just waiting for the game that trio put up 4 goals on their own with how much they lived in the opposing end.

The Rust dragging everyone down thing? Yeah I saw that. Interesting read. Along with the Horny impact.
- j.boyd919

That and the part about the defense being better than expected. I don't have any hope for JJ, but I do think the other 5 can make a solid core that would look nice with one more puck mover for the bottom pair.

I was doing some comparisons on Rust and Tanev yesterday and noticed a weird trend in Rust's WOWYs. He dragged down all the top guys but boosted all the bottom ones. The year before, his possession stats were great, before that about average, so I'm not sure what I'd expect.

I also what Marshall said points to the need to improve the other wing spot on Malkin's line.