Indeed, I agree. As others have mentioned it will be interesting to see how the Tanev-Bluey tandem performs....was ZAR the glue that that binds for that line? I have my doubts.
- MattStrat

I don't know how integral ZAR is/was to the success of that line, but he's been a reliable defensive player, so regardless the top six is down a capable player. Kahun will be in there tonight, but if ZAR doesn't get injured the four lines are all much stronger as it means someone like Agozzino sits.

EDIT: I obviously meant bottom six player lol

I'll manage. lol

My personal feelings on ZAR aside, he's been a very useful player this year and with how thin the bottom six has been as a whole the last few months, losing any regulars is a blow.
- Rinosaur

Trade for Johan Larsson. His production is 4th line, but he also is a stingy defensive player, UFA, not as physical but if you are looking for depth that has a history of NHL play he could be a cheap addition.

I don't know how integral ZAR is/was to the success of that line, but he's been a reliable defensive player, so regardless the top six is down a capable player. Kahun will be in there tonight, but if ZAR doesn't get injured the four lines are all much stronger as it means someone like Agozzino sits.
- Rinosaur

Indeed, agree to all of that.

Trade for Johan Larsson. His production is 4th line, but he also is a stingy defensive player, UFA, not as physical but if you are looking for depth that has a history of NHL play he could be a cheap addition.
- burgh4life87

With Bjugstad coming back I think it's still more than likely the Pens pick up a middle six winger. That will funnel more talent to the 4th line. It's just this stretch of play that would have been better for the Pens if ZAR was still in there. You'd have potentially Kahun and Horn on the same line as your 3A or 3B depending on how you look at it.

We could have seen SOMETHING like this tonight:

Zucker-Sid-Simon
McCann-Geno-Rust
Kahun-Lafferty-Horn
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

Ouch Boesner now might be done for the year. Disastrous when you just paid big for a rental. Glad GMJR got term with Zucker with our injuries.

Ouch Boesner now might be done for the year. Disastrous when you just paid big for a rental. Glad GMJR got term with Zucker with our injuries.
- Tojo.

Yup. JR did a bang-up when you consider what other teams have now given up for rentals.

I don't know how integral ZAR is/was to the success of that line, but he's been a reliable defensive player, so regardless the top six is down a capable player. Kahun will be in there tonight, but if ZAR doesn't get injured the four lines are all much stronger as it means someone like Agozzino sits.
- Rinosaur

Agree, ZAR isn't a complete player, but a useful one. This is actually the type of player he was projected to be before his offensive explosion his senior year. I think he can still add some offense, but if he doesn't he's still worth his contract and lineup spot.

Yup. JR did a bang-up when you consider what other teams have now given up for rentals.
- Rinosaur

I'm shocked by most of the deals. Shero deserves to be fired again for how little he got for Hall.

Ouch Boesner now might be done for the year. Disastrous when you just paid big for a rental. Glad GMJR got term with Zucker with our injuries.
- Tojo.

That's a big loss. Unless they resign Toffoli before the free agency period. Then it's not too bad. He would probably kick ass in a spot where he wasn't playing top lines every night.

Jets pick up DeMelo for a 3rd. Now that seems reasonable.

That return for DeMelo was underwhelming.

So who all is getting laid tonight?

That return for DeMelo was underwhelming.
- burgh4life87

Yeah, great deal for the Jets. Surprised they didn't get at least a 2nd.

Caps among teams in on Dillon, like they need more size.

I think Simon should stay with Sid and Zucker. He’s very quick, very good at getting to loose pucks and keeping them alive in the offensive zone, that’s all Crosby needs out of a winger.
- stackthepads

Ehhh, with the injuries I guess. But in no way fully healthy is his ass on that line. I just rather Kahun on that line because of better scoring touch. I do like Simon's abilities but I'd rather him be setting up guys on a third scoring line I suppose.

So who all is getting laid tonight?
- jmatchett383

This guy (not this guy)

Yeah, great deal for the Jets. Surprised they didn't get at least a 2nd.

Caps among teams in on Dillon, like they need more size.
- Tojo.

2nd and a 3rd for Dillon isn't really too much. Caps made out all right. Rumor is Namestnikov is on the move too.

The actual trade deadline is going to be one boring day.

Man, it's eerily quiet from all my Leafs obsessed friends today with the next two games with against them ....it's actually been pretty quiet from them all season. I guess when they all thought they'd be dominating all year the standings are somewhat humbling.

Blues pick up Scandella

EDIT: 2nd Rounder in 2020 and conditional 4th in 2021. MTL basically traded a 4th round pick to get a 2nd. Not bad.

Scandella to St. Louis. Ruth better hope dumo is ok and can skate.

The actual trade deadline is going to be one boring day.
- Rinosaur

It always is.

Damn all these Dmen going

Scandella to St. Louis. Ruth better hope dumo is ok and can skate.
- 10inchTerror

My only hope is that JR is targeting a player with term. I know the big names are gone, but JR is a sneaky mofo.

Scandella to St. Louis. Ruth better hope dumo is ok and can skate.
- 10inchTerror

Who knows, he said he was gonna wait 48 hours till the deadline and he would know but it's all going to be gone. He'll have to come up with something now if Dumo isn't ready. It's really concerning with Dumo now.

So who all is getting laid tonight?
- jmatchett383

Well my wife has recently come down with a case of the morning sickness so she’ll be in don’t touch me more for about a month and a half.