With regards to Teddy I think that's a pretty damn fair price, with potential to be steal'ish, and it also kinda signals that Hex isn't dead set on size and sh!t... Or should I say sh!tty size.... I like it

RW should do a "who do you protect" and "who do you think they'll protect blog". I'm really torn on a couple of players. Honestly, I would have left Bleugs unprotected even though I think he's a good bottom 6 player.

RW should do a "who do you protect" and "who do you think they'll protect blog". I'm really torn on a couple of players. Honestly, I would have left Bleugs unprotected even though I think he's a good bottom 6 player.
- madmike71

I want to protect him really badly but I’ve come to really agree with the people that want to protect Carter because as much as I don’t think Carter gets taken, it would pretty much end our season if he did.

I want to protect him really badly but I’ve come to really agree with the people that want to protect Carter because as much as I don’t think Carter gets taken, it would pretty much end our season if he did.
- Victoro311

That's my thoughts. What if Malkin doesn't come back til Feb or March? Don't think McCaan or Bleugs is adequate at 2C for that length of time.

With blueger being an rfa (obviously before resigning) how would of that affected him if left unprotected. Would he just be another player due to his amount of games played?

Guess though he can be pencilled in on the protected list I imagine

RW should do a "who do you protect" and "who do you think they'll protect blog". I'm really torn on a couple of players. Honestly, I would have left Bleugs unprotected even though I think he's a good bottom 6 player.
- madmike71

Does Reese get signed for more? Can we afford that expensive of a 4th line?

For whoever cares: JFresh’s model had Blueger’s value at $3.7 mil. This is a really good bridge deal for us, and gotta imagine Blueger is happy with the short term and betting on himself as someone who broke into the NHL late and probably wants to get to UFA as quickly as possible.

Does Reese get signed for more? Can we afford that expensive of a 4th line?
- nateca444

“Reese”

Does Reese get signed for more? Can we afford that expensive of a 4th line?
- nateca444

Not at the same time as how expensive our bottom four of our blue line is. We definitely need to cut salary, but it’s not undoable and I think we’ll be fine.

I also don’t think ZAR will come in above 1.5 because he doesn’t excel at the things that would give him leverage in arbitration.

Does Reese get signed for more? Can we afford that expensive of a 4th line?
- nateca444

No. If ZAR wants more than he's making, which I'm sure he does, I try to replace him with someone at league minimum.

Personally, I really want them to bring back Freddy G.

No. If ZAR wants more than he's making, which I'm sure he does, I try to replace him with someone at league minimum.

Personally, I really want them to bring back Freddy G.
- madmike71

Yeah I want Freddy too. Perfect energy guy.

Not at the same time as how expensive our bottom four of our blue line is. We definitely need to cut salary, but it’s not undoable and I think we’ll be fine.

I also don’t think ZAR will come in above 1.5 because he doesn’t excel at the things that would give him leverage in arbitration.
- Victoro311

I think he comes in at $1.85

The expansion draft isn’t as cutthroat as we think it is

For the most part, If a team already had an agreement with Francis “if we leave player X unprotected you take him” then teams can go on about their offseason business without any worry or question marks

(Don’t screw us and we won’t screw you)

My bet is Francis has already made a deal to take Zucker or ZAR and as long as Hex doesn’t reneg on the deal and trade that player, they already know what’s gonna happen

Hex can move on with his off-season plans and not worry about a wrench being thrown into it

Agreed. It’s best to hang on to the dime a dozen prospects instead of taking advantage of a potential overvaluation on the market.
- Feds91Stammer

Addison, a more highly regarded prospect, and a 1st got us Zucker. It's not like we're landing an impact player for those guys.

Legare is mostly just over-valued by Pittsburgh fans, not around the league. Not worth much, high chance to bust, but some lottery ticket potential.

Poulin I'm just not going to argue about because you're married to certain analytics on prospects I think are over-simplified and we'll get nowhere. But he's not a top end prospect either that will pull in an upper half of the line-up guy himself right now.

The expansion draft isn’t as cutthroat as we think it is

For the most part, If a team already had an agreement with Francis “if we leave player X unprotected you take him” then teams can go on about their offseason business without any worry or question marks

(Don’t screw us and we won’t screw you)

My bet is Francis has already made a deal to take Zucker or ZAR and as long as Hex doesn’t reneg on the deal and trade that player, they already know what’s gonna happen

Hex can move on with his off-season plans and not worry about a wrench being thrown into it
- TheGame316

I've been wondering if this is the case. Makes sense. I think it's Zucker. I think taking ZAR would be silly.

The hockey writers wrote a lovely article on how petts value is at an all time high and this would be the prime time to trade him

Half of the teams in this league undervalue 1st round picks and the other half overvalue them.

Teams rebuilding overvalue them. They will make deals with a 1st round pick, largely a lottery ticket, as the key part of a deal.

Teams buying undervalue them. They will give 1st round picks away for half a season of a guy they could've signed in free agency a few months before.

To me, I would constantly be moving 1st round picks for young talent who has a greater chance of making the NHL. If you move your pick every year for a legitimate player under 25 with multiple years of control left... I think that's a good investment.

And good deal for Blueger. I think he is a useful piece. No idea what this does to the protection list. Could McCann be the odd guy out? Seems like everyone has listed him as a definite protected player.

Crosby
Malkin
Jake
Rust
Carter
Kapanen
McCann/Blueger

I'd personally keep McCann. I think he would be the piece Seattle would seek more than Blueger.

Also... word is that the Islanders are shopping Nick Leddy because they cannot protect him in the draft. Does Zucker for Leddy interest anyone?

The hockey writers wrote a lovely article on how petts value is at an all time high and this would be the prime time to trade him
- 10inchTerror

I've read since the playoffs ended from multiple national folks that Pittsburgh underappreciates Pettersson and the rest of the league thinks he is a really solid top 4 guy.

If that's the case, Hextall should have no problem moving him. There have to be some teams unable to find 3 defensemen on their roster to protect.

Half of the teams in this league undervalue 1st round picks and the other half overvalue them.

Teams rebuilding overvalue them. They will make deals with a 1st round pick, largely a lottery ticket, as the key part of a deal.

Teams buying undervalue them. They will give 1st round picks away for half a season of a guy they could've signed in free agency a few months before.

To me, I would constantly be moving 1st round picks for young talent who has a greater chance of making the NHL. If you move your pick every year for a legitimate player under 25 with multiple years of control left... I think that's a good investment.

And good deal for Blueger. I think he is a useful piece. No idea what this does to the protection list. Could McCann be the odd guy out? Seems like everyone has listed him as a definite protected player.

Crosby
Malkin
Jake
Rust
Carter
Kapanen
McCann/Blueger

I'd personally keep McCann. I think he would be the piece Seattle would seek more than Blueger.

Also... word is that the Islanders are shopping Nick Leddy because they cannot protect him in the draft. Does Zucker for Leddy interest anyone?
- SuperHenderson13

I've read this too. I would do that and trade Pettersson for the best option available. Seems that might help a few problems. Easier said than done.
I also heard they're shopping Eberle because they can't afford him. So, not sure that will work for them.

Does Zucker for Leddy interest anyone?
- SuperHenderson13

I can tell you who it doesn't interest, the Islanders.

Islanders decline.

I've read since the playoffs ended from multiple national folks that Pittsburgh underappreciates Pettersson and the rest of the league thinks he is a really solid top 4 guy.

If that's the case, Hextall should have no problem moving him. There have to be some teams unable to find 3 defensemen on their roster to protect.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah his analytics are pretty decent. Him and Marino can be a good pair, unlike Mm, which might mean you need to keep him unless there is a solid return or no other way of sending out money. With the Injuries last year to start the season that could of been a big factor possibly. I still don’t like him though lol

I can tell you who it doesn't interest, the Islanders.

Islanders decline.
- Rinosaur

As it stands, they will lose him for nothing. They would protect Pulock, Pelech, and Mayfield over him.

It wont happen because they arent going to trade him discounted to a division opponent... but just an example of a trade we need to make. In 2017, the teams gave Vegas everything instead of trading with each other. I'd hope teams have gotten smarter this time around.

As it stands, they will lose him for nothing. They would protect Pulock, Pelech, and Mayfield over him.

It wont happen because they arent going to trade him discounted to a division opponent... but just an example of a trade we need to make. In 2017, the teams gave Vegas everything instead of trading with each other. I'd hope teams have gotten smarter this time around.
- SuperHenderson13

It won't happen because there are seven other forwards they would protect over Zucker, so they'd still in essence lose Leddy for nothing.

Yeah his analytics are pretty decent. Him and Marino can be a good pair, unlike Mm, which might mean you need to keep him unless there is a solid return or no other way of sending out money. With the Injuries last year to start the season that could of been a big factor possibly. I still don’t like him though lol
- 10inchTerror

If you move Matheson (something I think is possible, but it will be difficult)... a top six of the six below works for me. Maybe you trade to add an Oleksiak to be the bottom 6 guy who can actually move some guys phyiscally.... but the whole defense changes if you rid yourself of Matheson. If you can sign a guy like Suter, you make Pettersson move expendable.

Dumo-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
POJ-Ruhwedal

If you move Matheson (something I think is possible, but it will be difficult)... a top six of the six below works for me. Maybe you trade to add an Oleksiak to be the bottom 6 guy who can actually move some guys phyiscally.... but the whole defense changes if you rid yourself of Matheson. If you can sign a guy like Suter, you make Pettersson move expendable.

Dumo-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
POJ-Ruhwedal
- SuperHenderson13

Man.... that bottom pairing is risky. I'm not sold Marino and Petts are a 2nd pairing either.....even though they're priced like one.