I think a 1st is gross overpay, lol. PIT will be likely a 15-20 pick in a strong draft and CHI doesn't really need those two guys -- and separately they don't get a 1st, or without retained salary. CHI will have a HUGE amount of cap space in next couple of years...
- mventres

You are giving away 7.3m in dead cap. A 1st is the cost just to dump that.

Not sure why Domi would re-sign in Chicago
- Feds91Stammer

Apparently - if rumors are true - he likes it there and his role on the team/ice time. He's statistically performing very very well (he's been close to ppg guy this season) and could likely get about $6M per season from CHI...on another team he's likely a 3rd line C subbing in as a 2nd line here and there...

You are giving away 7.3m in dead cap. A 1st is the cost just to dump that.
- Feds91Stammer

Maybe. I think CHI would prefer to get a 1st and retain salary on McCabe vs a 2nd without retained salary. Eating $2M or $4.5M for CHI isn't a factor give the space they will have imo -- of course they will try to get more to do so, maybe a later pick or lower prospect, but if it's the only offer on the table and no movement on other teams to up it, they would be stupid not to take it imo.

Maybe. I think CHI would prefer to get a 1st and retain salary on McCabe vs a 2nd without retained salary. Eating $2M or $4.5M for CHI isn't a factor give the space they will have imo -- of course they will try to get more to do so, maybe a later pick or lower prospect, but if it's the only offer on the table and no movement on other teams to up it, they would be stupid not to take it imo.
- mventres

Either way PIT should be selling at the deadline and not adding.

Apparently - if rumors are true - he likes it there and his role on the team/ice time. He's statistically performing very very well (he's been close to ppg guy this season) and could likely get about $6M per season from CHI...on another team he's likely a 3rd line C subbing in as a 2nd line here and there...
- mventres

On Domi - I could see WPG trying to land him. He's from that area and apparently Dubois wants out. I think playing 2nd line C there would be solid for him given their winger situation...

Either way PIT should be selling at the deadline and not adding.
- Feds91Stammer

With their core it doesn't make sense though. Given their cap situation any retool would likely be a lateral movement, and their farm system is horrible so rebuilding would take years given the people with actual value to land serious picks or prospects (Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Guentzel, Jarry) are extremely unlikely to be traded. That is, I think they trapped themselves in a corner of having to win now, but with a roster that has too many holes to be a serious contender...

With their core it doesn't make sense though. Given their cap situation any retool would likely be a lateral movement, and their farm system is horrible so rebuilding would take years given the people with actual value to land serious picks or prospects (Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Guentzel, Jarry) are extremely unlikely to be traded. That is, I think they trapped themselves in a corner of having to win now, but with a roster that has too many holes to be a serious contender...
- mventres

Thier core isn't good enough to will some spare deadline parts to victory. When was the last time this core won a playoff series?

Thier core isn't good enough to will some spare deadline parts to victory. When was the last time this core won a playoff series?
- Feds91Stammer

I completely agree with you. I just don't see that they have any other realistic options.

It's the result of years of bad drafting, trading away top picks for bad players, and questionable signings/overpaying players who had equivalents at much lower cost but are less known.

Thier core isn't good enough to will some spare deadline parts to victory. When was the last time this core won a playoff series?
- Feds91Stammer

Crosby and Malkin cant play goalie nor play management and have a better goaltending situation.

Youre right this core isnt good enough to win by themselves anymore, but this core has certainly played well enough where at minimum, they should've gotten a series win last year against NYR.

I completely agree with you. I just don't see that they have any other realistic options.

It's the result of years of bad drafting, trading away top picks for bad players, and questionable signings/overpaying players who had equivalents at much lower cost but are less known.
- mventres

You sell for assets that can hopefully allow you to retool next season. This of all years is not a year for a bubble team to be wasting high value picks to get slaughtered in round 1.

Crosby and Malkin cant play goalie nor play management and have a better goaltending situation.

Youre right this core isnt good enough to win by themselves anymore, but this core has certainly played well enough where at minimum, they should've gotten a series win last year against NYR.
- SuperHenderson13

And this isn't a good year for them to expect to have much of a chance in the first round either.

And this isn't a good year for them to expect to have much of a chance in the first round either.
- Feds91Stammer

They have 0.00% chance to win a playoff series this year. I wouldnt bet on them to win a game versus Carolina or Boston let alone a series. I just dont think you can blame our core for the failures of management.

And this isn't a good year for them to expect to have much of a chance in the first round either.
- Feds91Stammer

This is the bottom line. No chance of beating Boston or Carolina.

They have 0.00% chance to win a playoff series this year. I wouldnt bet on them to win a game versus Carolina or Boston let alone a series. I just dont think you can blame our core for the failures of management.
- SuperHenderson13

Not blaming the core just saying they aren't good enough to make any random deadline acquisition worthwhile

Hextall holding a presser. Said he's committed to winning with the core and is looking to improve by the TDL. Not selling.

More... Very hesitant to move a premium asset for a rental. If a premium asset is moved it will be for a player that can help them beyond this season.

Hextall holding a presser. Said he's committed to winning with the core and is looking to improve by the TDL. Not selling.
- madmike71

You sell for assets that can hopefully allow you to retool next season. This of all years is not a year for a bubble team to be wasting high value picks to get slaughtered in round 1.
- Feds91Stammer

Agree - which is why I suggested two players who have term and are more useful that who we're sending out...while also getting some cap relief to bring Rutta back in (who would improve the team as well)

They have 0.00% chance to win a playoff series this year. I wouldnt bet on them to win a game versus Carolina or Boston let alone a series. I just dont think you can blame our core for the failures of management.
- SuperHenderson13

100% agree. Still, options are pretty limited.

Agree - which is why I suggested two players who have term and are more useful that who we're sending out...while also getting some cap relief to bring Rutta back in (who would improve the team as well)
- mventres

Tyler Johnson is not useful.

i am not unhappy with the top 2 lines. But that bottom 6 and the 3rd line in particular are bad. I have no faith in hextall. Maybe i gave him a pass because of the kings teams he helped put together. But i have zero faith in sullivan. he has become dan bylsma 2.0. Instead of tanner glass and craig adams, its mcginn and carter and dumolin. He will not break up that 3rd line. but i dont understand why. he wont move dumo down either. i thought one of the reasons sam ventura left the pens was that he had a better opp for sabermetrics with the sabres. the pens brag that they doubled that team after sam left. But does it show? Sullivan uses no data AT ALL. If he did, mcginn-carter-kappy would never have skated a shift together after thanksgiving.

We really needed you to post this again in the new blog....
- MattStrat

SHUT UP MORON

Thier core isn't good enough to will some spare deadline parts to victory. When was the last time this core won a playoff series?
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah. This is true. You could hand pick a bottom six and the core still isn’t good enough. Unless you get some top tier wingers in to play with Sid and Geno, it doesn’t matter what moves are made.

Geez…I don’t know how you improve this team without getting rid of the deadweight which is the 3rd line.

Grab a guy like Meier. Drop Zucker to the 3rd line. Then try to get Domi or a 3rd line center with a pulse. But now you’re severely overpaying to dump Carter and Kap, which IMO isn’t worth it.

I like the McCabe idea. But damn, if you’re already spending the assets to fix your 3rd line, what’s left for defense. I just feel like there’s too many holes to fix at the deadline. If there’s a deal that will help the team for next year as well, then definitely take it, but I’d stay away from any rentals

More realistic would be Dumo, Kap, and a pick for McCabe and Domi
- Feds91Stammer

I would do that