If McCann is exposed I think he becomes the most attractive piece from the Pens, but again, it all comes down to what other players are made available to Seattle. That said I have a hard time thinking a middle six center/winger making less than $3M is something they pass on.
- Rinosaur

I agree, I just dont see him being left exposed. But then again, Zucker is a really good player who just had an off year. Maybe Hexy really likes him.

Hieskenen $8.45/8 years. This is is going to have some interesting affects on the market.

I agree, I just dont see him being left exposed. But then again, Zucker is a really good player who just had an off year. Maybe Hexy really likes him.
- MacPatty

This is where so much of our prognosticating could fall short. We really have no idea what Hex wants to do yet, who likes/values, etc...

I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.
- Murphy_Dump

😂😂😂😂[/img]

This is where so much of our prognosticating could fall short. We really have no idea what Hex wants to do yet, who likes/values, etc...
- Rinosaur

Let's be honest, is Zucker really that bad? He's controlled for a few more years right? What is the biggest ugliest contract we want to get rid of? Zucker produces and if he did have a down year....do we want to get rid of him?

Let's be honest, is Zucker really that bad? He's controlled for a few more years right? What is the biggest ugliest contract we want to get rid of? Zucker produces and if he did have a down year....do we want to get rid of him?
- nateca444

Matheson is the one I want gone most.

Matheson is the one I want gone most.
- 668710

Ditto. It's not even close.

Let's be honest, is Zucker really that bad? He's controlled for a few more years right? What is the biggest ugliest contract we want to get rid of? Zucker produces and if he did have a down year....do we want to get rid of him?
- nateca444

I think Zucker's ineffectiveness has largely been due to circumstance. He played well with Sid before Covid. Everything since has been screwed because of injuries to both him and Geno. Not to mention the practice/camp situations being limited.

I'm not a journalist, but it would be an interesting angle to track other players who are recent additions to their teams during covid. Limited camps. Tight condensed schedules that limit practice time too.

Let's be honest, is Zucker really that bad? He's controlled for a few more years right? What is the biggest ugliest contract we want to get rid of? Zucker produces and if he did have a down year....do we want to get rid of him?
- nateca444

I'm not going to be as mad as many people if Zucker is still on the team next year. It's an obvious spot to create cap space. I think it's actually maddening if we can't work out a trade for him before expansion.

If Hex wants to keep Carter, Blueger, Taney, Zucker, etc then Exposing McCann is the cost of keeping the rest of the roster intact

Even if he intends to later move those pieces for other pieces

McCann is a replaceable player. Keeping him for this year, even if he had an average season probably warrants paying him 4-5 million on his next deal, which is walk away money for a 2nd/3rd line tweener anyways

This just moves on from him a year early and keeps the other “assets” intact

Let's be honest, is Zucker really that bad? He's controlled for a few more years right? What is the biggest ugliest contract we want to get rid of? Zucker produces and if he did have a down year....do we want to get rid of him?
- nateca444

I like Zucker and I think he had a bad year, but the Pens don't have the luxury of time to find out if it was aberration or he's just a bad fit.

Zucker and Geno played very well together in the MTL series the previous season then his bad start coincided with Geno's bad start, then gets injured, etc..., but again, the Pens' biggest enemy is time. If they can move him out and get a better player in there then they should.

McCann is a replaceable player.
- TheGame316

People always say things like that and no offense, but it's kind of a BS idea. Outside of Elite or top players, everyone is replaceable. The issue I think people overlook is whether the replacements are available, and if they are, do the Pens have what it takes to get them and fit them under the cap.

So is McCann replaceable? Of course, but is there a comparable player available via FA? In FA, are you going to get him at the same price? Other teams will be in on these players, too.

If the Pens have to trade for his replacement what will it cost them? A 40ish point middle six winger who can play both C and W? If that player is available at all you can bet it's not coming cheap and likely has a higher cap hit.

If that player is available by trade you can bet the Pens won't be the only ones in on him and other teams may have better returns to give.

Long story short, (although I made it a long story), replacing a player isn't easy just because they're a replaceable player.

Since we essentially have a spare D slot available, I was wondering if Hexy would make some kind of deal for a D that somebody can't protect. Obviously needs to be a plan. Maybe you flip that player later for a draft pick or prospect after this.
- madmike71

That’s what I was hoping for. A graves type trade. Although I don’t want any graves in Pitt.

Also, if good players were so easily replaceable, all teams would have these players and everyone would be good. How many bad 4th lines are there in the NHL? PLENTY.

Hieskenen $8.45/8 years. This is is going to have some interesting affects on the market.
- Rinosaur

Cale Makar comes to mind!

Watch for the nucks here with a last second move!

Watch for the nucks here with a last second move!
- pens4life-66

And it ends up being a boring Richardinson trade hahaha

McCann to toronto

Mccann to the leafs!!! Wowzer

People always say things like that and no offense, but it's kind of a BS idea. Outside of Elite or top players, everyone is replaceable. The issue I think people overlook is whether the replacements are available, and if they are, do the Pens have what it takes to get them and fit them under the cap.

So is McCann replaceable? Of course, but is there a comparable player available via FA? In FA, are you going to get him at the same price? Other teams will be in on these players, too.

If the Pens have to trade for his replacement what will it cost them? A 40ish point middle six winger who can play both C and W? If that player is available at all you can bet it's not coming cheap and likely has a higher cap hit.

If that player is available by trade you can bet the Pens won't be the only ones in on him and other teams may have better returns to give.

Long story short, (although I made it a long story), replacing a player isn't easy just because they're a replaceable player.
- Rinosaur

It's the expansion draft

You are going to lose *something* of value. That's the point of the expansion draft

McCann at 3 million (for 1 more year) is lost and you replace him with a player *not quite as good* for 3 million, the difference between the 2 players = the "value" lost

Replace him for 4 million with a player who is of the same quality then the "1 million" in capspace = the value lost

If Hex/Burke are projecting McCann's next contract at, say, 4.5-5 Million and they aren't willing to pay that price, then the price they are paying in order to keep Zucker, Tanev, Pettersson, Carter, Blueger, etc, is 1 year of McCann at 3 million and that's it

They may see more value in Zucker for 2 years at 5.5 million then they do in McCann for 1 year at 3 million and then lose him for nothing (I say nothing because as an RFA they need to qualify him at 3.38 million, he could choose arbitration, he'd get his 4.5-5 Million and the Pens would then walk away)

Maybe they lose McCann in expansion and trade Zucker for an asset and use the 8.5 Million in capspace created for an impact player. Who knows

Mccann to the leafs!!! Wowzer
- pens4life-66

or THAT!

McCann to toronto
- burgh4life87

Oh my god the return is pathetic.

Mccann to the leafs!!! Wowzer
- pens4life-66

For What?

For What?
- stevens87

Capspace

For What?
- stevens87

Hallander and a 7th