Well, here is what I think the consensus is of who we protect:

1. Crosby
2. Malkin
3. Guentzel
4. Zucker
-------------
5. Rust
6. McCann
7. Hornqvist / Blueger / Tanev / ZAR

1. Letang
2. Dumoulin
3. Pettersson

1. Jarry

Hard to say who will be left unprotected, but it will likely be a forward taken, probably one of whoever doesn't get protected from #7 above.

The only D available will be JJ (haha) and the only goalie will likely be DeSmith.

Who would I least like to see get taken out of those? Easily Blueger (young, cheap center who will still be restricted after next year). So I would protect Blueger and out the remaining three, I would least like to see ZAR get taken (also young, cheap, good depth player and still restricted). I could be convinced to want Tanev instead.

Who do I think they will take? Too hard to tell since it is still a year away. But since you asked, I will say either Blueger or ZAR, probably ZAR if we protect Blueger. I don't see an expansion team wanting to saddle themselves with a long, expensive contract for players who are likely to break down (Horny and Tanev). How about the Flyboys?
- Hockey66

That's a good analysis. I agree that right now I protect Blueger. He and ZAR will be up for RFA so they may not be as cheap, especially if one of them starts scoring a little more.

To answer the original question, Pens might be a candidate to try and entice Seattle to take a contract. They may not have an expiring contract, flat cap, and Marino, Blueger, and ZAR at least as RFAs. Hornqvist with a full NTC but not NMC and JJ would make sense. Should be tougher to move salary with a flat cap though and Seattle can extract a ton.

Sullivan’s faith may depend on the draft and Crosby.

Was Malkin really ready (in shape) for Hockey?

Looking at the Pens prospect pool is more than a little scary. Do Crosby and Malkin want to be there for a full on rebuild? Better to be a step ahead of the curve than a step behind. Pull a Rangers slash and burn and start restocking the shelves because there is nothing there. And I mean nothing. Crosby isn't going anywhere but what would Malkin bring in? Probably a year or two late but it would still be a haul. Sorry Pens fans, not only does this team look old but it was boring to watch. Montreal just isn't good. There's going to be some pain but this group has had it's day in the sun.

Saros is average at best.
- Rinosaur

Look at Murray's numbers....he's average or below. I feel bad for him 'cause he's generally regarded as a "good guy". He'll get a "prove it" deal and not the 7+ x 7 he was seeking.

At least Simon plays defense and is now firmly entrenched in the bottom six where he belongs.
- Hockey66

LOL! After he gets his nice raise, Simon will not see the bottom six. He will be Sid's sidecar. He and Bjugstad were the only injuries and Sheary was top line.

Serious question, what makes you think Simon is entrenched in the bottom six?

I can promise you any deal involving Geno will leave a far lesser player in his place. The Pens lose any trade he’s in. There will be no “haul.”
- Rinosaur

Exactly, this. All this.

That's a good analysis. I agree that right now I protect Blueger. He and ZAR will be up for RFA so they may not be as cheap, especially if one of them starts scoring a little more.

To answer the original question, Pens might be a candidate to try and entice Seattle to take a contract. They may not have an expiring contract, flat cap, and Marino, Blueger, and ZAR at least as RFAs. Hornqvist with a full NTC but not NMC and JJ would make sense. Should be tougher to move salary with a flat cap though and Seattle can extract a ton.
- Tojo.

I'd love to keep Hornqvist. I still think he's still a valuable commodity. I have a long memory of the years before he got here with no "net front" guy. If I were remotely confident they had a guy that would suffice, I'd let him go. The negatives.... Lots of hard miles and 5mil is steep for a third liner.

Tanev might be too much of a luxury for a 4th liner PK'r. 5 years left on his contract is yikes. Again... Love to keep him, but maybe wise to let him go.

McCaan will be retained, but what is he? Is he a super fast sniper or is he the guy that looked lost for the second half of the season. I'll say this... He's not a 3C and not yet consistent enough for top 6 wing.

Hornqvist would be my 7th. I'd keep McCaan and hope he finds consistency. Tanev would be out and I imagine Seattle will take him.

That's a good analysis. I agree that right now I protect Blueger. He and ZAR will be up for RFA so they may not be as cheap, especially if one of them starts scoring a little more.

To answer the original question, Pens might be a candidate to try and entice Seattle to take a contract. They may not have an expiring contract, flat cap, and Marino, Blueger, and ZAR at least as RFAs. Hornqvist with a full NTC but not NMC and JJ would make sense. Should be tougher to move salary with a flat cap though and Seattle can extract a ton.
- Tojo.

I may be wrong because I heard from my cousin, but I believe they aren't allowing the trades to entice to take a different player this time.(so there's not another expansion team in the finals their first year) Again not sure if it's wrong info, just sharing it.

If the Pens get the #1 I honestly think they should deal it.

I'd love to keep Hornqvist. I still think he's still a valuable commodity. I have a long memory of the years before he got here with no "net front" guy. If I were remotely confident they had a guy that would suffice, I'd let him go. The negatives.... Lots of hard miles and 5mil is steep for a third liner.

Tanev might be too much of a luxury for a 4th liner PK'r. 5 years left on his contract is yikes. Again... Love to keep him, but maybe wise to let him go.

McCaan will be retained, but what is he? Is he a super fast sniper or is he the guy that looked lost for the second half of the season. I'll say this... He's not a 3C and not yet consistent enough for top 6 wing.

Hornqvist would be my 7th. I'd keep McCaan and hope he finds consistency. Tanev would be out and I imagine Seattle will take him.
- madmike71

McCann is also blocked at LW with Guentzel and Zucker. I do like having him as injury insurance for Crosby and Malkin provided he his next contract is reasonable. Need to figure out what happened though.

A year from now these lists could change. Nobody is protecting ZAR, but of he has that breakout offensive year that would change.

LOL! After he gets his nice raise, Simon will not see the bottom six. He will be Sid's sidecar. He and Bjugstad were the only injuries and Sheary was top line.

Serious question, what makes you think Simon is entrenched in the bottom six?
- Thunderbolt

Agree. Current returning roster, I'd say he's slotted on Sid's line. I'd try to upgrade like crazy though.

He's a weird fit. I could see him on the top line, or I could see him out of the starting 12 entirely (which means he shouldn't be top line to start with). I expect Poulin to challenge for a spot and there may be a good, cheap vet with the flat cap so they might add a guy late similar to Cullen the first time.

If the Pens get the #1 I honestly think they should deal it.
- Rinosaur

For where they're at, it might be worth at least dangling. I probably wouldn't say that if he was a righty, but since he's a lefty what's he going to do, bump Malkin from his PP spot? Nor do we really need a LW. He won't have maximum impact here, at least not in thw next few years.

But trading that talent on an entry-level deal even if the fit isn't perfect, it would have to be a great return.

For where they're at, it might be worth at least dangling. I probably wouldn't say that if he was a righty, but since he's a lefty what's he going to do, bump Malkin from his PP spot? Nor do we really need a LW. He won't have maximum impact here, at least not in thw next few years.

But trading that talent on an entry-level deal even if the fit isn't perfect, it would have to be a great return.
- Tojo.

If they weren't in the division I'd try and send the pick along with JJ to the Rangers for Deangelo. Then of course consider trying to move Letang. Not that I think the Pens SHOULD move Letang, but if there is a shakeup we have to think a big name may be going.

Not that it's new, but this is from the Habs writer at the Athletic:

Sullivan was outcoached in this series. There should be no doubt about that. Julien made adjustments, he fine-tuned his system to account for the elite talent on the other side, and he limited the ice time of his third defence pairing, unlike Sullivan who kept insisting on throwing Justin Schultz and Jack Johnson on time after time, no matter how ineffective they were, no matter how bad they looked. He stuck with Matt Murray too long. He was unable to get a pulse out of Malkin in the last two games. He was unable to make the counter-adjustments to Julien’s adjustments.

I'm torn because I think Sully is a good coach and we could easily end up doing worse, but the mistakes are really starting to pile up. Amazing how good everything looked in January compared to now.

For where they're at, it might be worth at least dangling. I probably wouldn't say that if he was a righty, but since he's a lefty what's he going to do, bump Malkin from his PP spot? Nor do we really need a LW. He won't have maximum impact here, at least not in thw next few years.

But trading that talent on an entry-level deal even if the fit isn't perfect, it would have to be a great return.
- Tojo.

They should be looking to move Zucker if they get Lafreniere...You get very few opportunities as a franchise to draft players of his caliber.

Agree. Current returning roster, I'd say he's slotted on Sid's line. I'd try to upgrade like crazy though.

He's a weird fit. I could see him on the top line, or I could see him out of the starting 12 entirely (which means he shouldn't be top line to start with). I expect Poulin to challenge for a spot and there may be a good, cheap vet with the flat cap so they might add a guy late similar to Cullen the first time.
- Tojo.

Looking at capfriendly we have $13M to spend on 5-9 players. That isn't a lot to work with.

A long time ago I said Murray was the guy to send to Seattle but looking at the current make up of the team. Murray is much more valuable as a trade asset. Even though goalies do not bring much back, his salary relief will be better utilized else where. Not to mention the skaters that will be exposed are completely replaceable.

They should be looking to move Zucker if they get Lafreniere...You get very few opportunities as a franchise to draft players of his caliber.
- abasin

They should move Malkin if they get LaFreniere. Malkin is ready for the West Coast, the KINGS.

They should be looking to move Zucker if they get Lafreniere...You get very few opportunities as a franchise to draft players of his caliber.
- abasin

Trade a known for an unknown? No thank you. Worst case if Lafreniere is the real deal you have three lines with legit scoring wingers.

Trade a known for an unknown? No thank you. Worst case if Lafreniere is the real deal you have three lines with legit scoring wingers.
- Rinosaur

I do not think they should trade either, but by no means should they trade Lafreniere

Not that it's new, but this is from the Habs writer at the Athletic:

Sullivan was outcoached in this series. There should be no doubt about that. Julien made adjustments, he fine-tuned his system to account for the elite talent on the other side, and he limited the ice time of his third defence pairing, unlike Sullivan who kept insisting on throwing Justin Schultz and Jack Johnson on time after time, no matter how ineffective they were, no matter how bad they looked. He stuck with Matt Murray too long. He was unable to get a pulse out of Malkin in the last two games. He was unable to make the counter-adjustments to Julien’s adjustments.

I'm torn because I think Sully is a good coach and we could easily end up doing worse, but the mistakes are really starting to pile up. Amazing how good everything looked in January compared to now.
- Tojo.

I agree, it's mindblowing that sometimes he makes the team look like favorites to win it all while understaffed and then there's the islanders and now montreal playoffs series.

I was willing to let it go with "agree to disagree" but the Sheary defenders keep bringing him up. For the record, I agree with everything you say, but just because others play like ass doesn't mean that Sheary gets a pass or that he has any business in the top 6.
- Hockey66

Yeah, I agree. He's done whats he's supposed to do but that doesnt mean he should be playing top line minutes at all. My post was more directed at the guys that seem to think all our problems are because of Sheary falling around.

The guy who did the car analogy was spot on.

If the Pens get the #1 I honestly think they should deal it.
- Rinosaur

No way

Between Sullivan, Boudreau, and Gallant I would take Gallant. I am still puzzled as to why he got fired in Vegas, though. Both that firing and the Florida firing were sudden. It is almost as if he does not get along with GM's or something. His teams always seem to play above their talent level, though.

Sullivan relied on youth to win the 2016-7 Cups. Now he seems to favor veterans like JJ and Schultz. The play of both of these guys has fallen to AHL level. At least one of the two should have been benched, the ice time of the other should have been reduced, and the forwards on the ice when the third defensive pairing was out needed to play more cautiously.

Also, Murray should have been replaced after game 1. He was not terrible but looked a bit shaky. Jarry was better this season.

No way
- 668710

Why not?

Why not?
- Rinosaur

From an organizational standpoint, what trade are you going to make that will have a similar impact, and land a player who can be the face of your franchise after Crosby/Malkin are gone and sell Jerseys for the next 15+ years?