Ryan Wilson: Penguins have their new center in Nick Bjugstad Penguins have their new center in Nick Bjugstad

The original trade for Brassard was a good one. Coming off 2 cups, people would be calling for JR'S head if he didn't go all in and 3elieve. His play in NY and OTT suggested Brassard was a good fit for the middle six but it seems age and a tendency to play to the outside made this not work out.

Considering the Pens have stayed afloat without any significant contributions from the 3C so far this year, I don't imagine his replacement could be much worse. And he's not UFA so one less thing to worry about.

McCann seems like any other bottom six guy. I really thought Sheahan could be solid as a 4C. I'm just glad JR didn't part with Hallander/1st.

Its worth noting that we're still in contention to win the Met with Schultz being out and our 3C being a no show for pretty much the entire season. This trade hopefully gave us a functional 3C and Schultz will be back soon. I think we're in an ok place.

I'm not sure we have to do anything else coming up to the deadline. There's not really anyone else on the team that isn't working out besides Johnson, who's unmoveable, so I don't feel the need to make anymore player for player swaps just to shake things up, and I don't see how we can actively improve given our cap situation. At this point, fitting a guy like Ferland under the cap would require moving a useful roster player, and I just don't see the point of making a trade like that. So all in all, I believe I'm in favor of just keeping our first now.

Its worth noting that we're still in contention to win the Met with Schultz being out and our 3C being a no show for pretty much the entire season. This trade hopefully gave us a functional 3C and Schultz will be back soon. I think we're in an ok place.

I'm not sure we have to do anything else coming up to the deadline. There's not really anyone else on the team that isn't working out besides Johnson, who's unmoveable, so I don't feel the need to make anymore player for player swaps just to shake things up, and I don't see how we can actively improve given our cap situation. At this point, fitting a guy like Ferland under the cap would require moving a useful roster player, and I just don't see the point of making a trade like that. So all in all, I believe I'm in favor of just keeping our first now.
- Victoro311

Cap Space agrees.

Good trade! Brass sucks, Sheehan was overpaid.

Yup, don’t see Ferland or anyone else coming in at this point. When you consider they still have ZAR coming back, there’s no more room roster or cap-wise.

Cap Space agrees.
- Feds91Stammer

Cap Friendly says there's still 6.5 mill in cap space for the deadline, plenty of room to undo the Johnson mistake.

Considering what Rutherford could have done, this is a good move. i agree with Ryan's summary.

When you are a team like the Pens and a lot of your money is tied up and future assets depleted, you have to take chances on buy low moves that could offer a good payout later on. Guys like Schultz, Bonino, Hagelin, etc. were all bought low and have paid off nicely with 2 Stanley Cups.

I'll be interested to see what Sullivan's plan is with the lines. I have to wonder what Sullivan thinks of acquiring a big guy with limited speed given Sully's desire to continue a speed game.

Cap Friendly says there's still 6.5 mill in cap space for the deadline, plenty of room to undo the Johnson mistake.
- Murphy_Dump

Gonna need room to activate Schultz off LTIR.

Does this put the Pens in a position to make a move for Ferland or some other wing?

Yup, don’t see Ferland or anyone else coming in at this point. When you consider they still have ZAR coming back, there’s no more room roster or cap-wise.
- Rinosaur

Jake-Crosby-Horny
Rust/Pearson-Malkin-Kessel
Pearson/Rust-Bjugstad-Simon
Wilson-McCann/Blueger-ZAR

That is a good offense. Three lines can score and a 4th line that can contribute. Cullen needs to be used as a spare part. No way he should keep getting a jersey every night.

Defense with Schultz back is as fine as it is going to get. Johnson sucks and he will bring down whomever he plays with. That isnt going to change so you just have to minimize him.

Does this put the Pens in a position to make a move for Ferland or some other wing?
- Doogs

No

Idea of what we could look like completely healthy:

Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Simon-Malkin-Rust
Pearson-Bjugstad-Kessel
McCann-Cullen-ZAR
Wilson

Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Pettersson-Johnson
Riikola

Murray
DeSmith

I want there to be a way to get Pearson back with Malkin, but I think at the moment these may be the best balanced lines. with Simon, Rust, and Hornqvist being in flux amongst the top two units.

Interesting.... Rutherford said both players will play tonight. Didn't think they'd get here in time.

Interesting.... Rutherford said both players will play tonight. Didn't think they'd get here in time.
- madmike71

A flight takes what 2.5 hours?

A flight takes what 2.5 hours?
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah.... I guess. We had some crappy weather here. You wonder how much time they needed to get their sh*t together.

I don't know.... Usually you don't see players play the same day they get traded. They probably were told much earlier than the trade being announced. Of course Florida is still one place with tons of direct flights to/from Pittsburgh.

The good thing about getting McCann is the Pens don't sacrifice any center depth by moving two centers out.

Yeah.... I guess. We had some crappy weather here. You wonder how much time they needed to get their sh*t together.

I don't know.... Usually you don't see players play the same day they get traded. They probably were told much earlier than the trade being announced. Of course Florida is still one place with tons of direct flights to/from Pittsburgh.
- madmike71

I'm sure they packed quickly knowing they were headed to a cup contender

Jason Mackey
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GMJR on Bjugstad at RW: "I think once we have all our centers in place and healthy and whatnot, that’s probably where he’ll go."

So, someone isn't healthy?

Asked GMJR if Bjugstad starts at 3C: "Umm … he’ll start as a center and see where it goes from there."

https://www.post-gazette....sard/stories/201902010133

I thought that was interesting read. He doesn't come right out and say it, but there's still a chance more moves could be made if things don't turn around the way he wants.

Sure, but does locking into more money for next year actually help them much?

Like, they're a little better, but now they have almost 79 million committed to next season already with only 10 forwards and 4 D signed.
- BINGO!

From last blog. For some reason Schultz's cap hit was counted but not him on capgerk so make that 5D.

Blueger, ZAR, Riikola, and Pettersson are all RFAs and none are breaking the bank, gives us 12F, 7D, and 2G almost a full roster. They'd need one more forward to replace Cullen or Wilson so a 12/13 forward (might just keep Wilson).

They're fine capwise, everyone of consequence is signed. Could easily return the same team minus Cullen and Ruhwedel.

Does this put the Pens in a position to make a move for Ferland or some other wing?
- Doogs

They're carrying 14 forwards and after Schultz rejoins the team 8 defensemen and would have about 1M in cap space. They could make enough room for a bargain contract like Ferland's by getting rid of a couple roster players in a trade or sending down to minors. Not room for a bigger salary without money going out.

I really like the McCann part of the trade. Sheahan wasn't working and Cullen will likely retire after this season. A young 4C capable of 30 points is a solid get IMO.

From last blog. For some reason Schultz's cap hit was counted but not him on capgerk so make that 5D.

Blueger, ZAR, Riikola, and Pettersson are all RFAs and none are breaking the bank, gives us 12F, 7D, and 2G almost a full roster. They'd need one more forward to replace Cullen or Wilson so a 12/13 forward (might just keep Wilson).

They're fine capwise, everyone of consequence is signed. Could easily return the same team minus Cullen and Ruhwedel.
- Tojo.

If need be, the Penguins could always move Maatta, Rust or Pearson next season. All nice players, but replaceable for a cheaper number.

Florida won this trade.