Zbynek
Jarry friggin sucks dude
Not sure how Kadri is possible with just over $4mil in cap space and Kap to sign. Unless we can ship out both Zucker and one of Dumo/Pettersson.I think the Penguins will make a run at one of Copp or Burakovsky, or possibly even Kadri and move Geno to W. Or they may target a mid tier guy like Vatrano or Marchment.
I also wouldn't rule out putting all their chips in and making a pitch for a guy like JT Miller or someone else via trade if they can't get someone via the UFA route. I'm skeptical they have the assets, but they will try.
I think they will wait to see if they can get one of those top 6 guys before shipping out Zucker or one of Dumo/Pettersson to open up more cap space, And that is the prudent thing to do, rather than ship them out before knowing the cap space is needed.
But yes, another top 6 forward is certainly needed for them to be even better than they were last year.
And for the money these guys will command, I'd much rather land a Palat than a Copp/Burakovsky. Palat is the exact top-6 guy we need for the playoffs.
Vatrano and Marchment, and to a lesser degree Lindholm or Kubalik would be fine, but still think they don't address our true need which is impact player in the top-6 who can deliver in the postseason. That screams Palat to me. If Hextall does in fact have deals on the table to shed Pettersson or Zucker, he's my first choice.
Again, I'd be okay with trying them, just feel Vatrano/Marchment/Lindholm/Kubalik would blend into our group of middle-6 tweeners, of which we don't have a shortage of currently, rather than be drivers of impact.