I'm assuming Rust doesn't replicate his point-per-game pace for this season. And after this season, he's only get a year left. Would you consider trading Rust instead of Zucker, who has one more year but is more expensive?
And let's not forget about the player and their salary/cap hit we lose to Seattle. I'm assuming the Pens lose Pettersson, Matheson, Tanev, or McCann.
I would, but that extra 2m is kinda key in terms of going big game hunting, and there's more obvious replacements for Zucker in the org if things go well in Poulin/McCann, so I doubt it'd work out that way.
As for Seattle - I assume Pettersson/Matheson if things go well, Blueger if they don't. Maybe McCann but if you're moving Zucker and think he's the replacement, you damn well protect him. Either way... sure, some cap opens up but there's still going to be a forward trade. Or a Letang trade.
I keep having a feeling they are going to go all in on Hamilton and then try to get rid of Letang.
It's the most logical shout from the list. I'm not sure Hamilton's better than Letang, but there would be no worries about him ageing out during Sid's contract.
My pipe dream lately has been Eichel forcing his way out of Buffalo and us swooping in somehow. That doesn’t really fit with the free agency thing though.
We simply don't have the trade assets to be in on that unless Eichel insists on coming here, nor we do really have the space unless Malkin is going or is actively happy to switch to wing.