Let's say that the Flames/Pens actually want to consummate a deal and Bennett does quietly want a trade... Something around Bennett/Kapanen might work. Flames need better RW options than Simon, Leivo etc. on that top line. Many Flames fans really, really liked what they saw last night with Bennett on that line with them. The theory would be that Kapanen could continue a bit of that with Gaudreau and Monahan.
The unfortunate yet fortunate situation for the Pens is that they looted the farm to get those cups. They can sell many assets to try and top up the farm, but IMO what Benning did a few seasons ago is also a good option. Acquire young reclamation projects/change of scenery candidates and aim for a home run swing. Jankowski is already with them. There's lists and lists of excellent option guys like Virtanen, Bennett, Mittelstadt, Thomson etc. that still have decently high ceilings that could be nabbed as part of bigger deals when certain roster players are moved.
The Pens are fricken well positioned IMO for a quick and favorable retool with Hextall and Burke at the helm. IIRC, I don't think contracts, FA and prospects/futures were weaknesses of Hextall in Philly. It was ownership patience and hitching his cart to Hakstol... who honestly speaking did well on paper, but I wonder if there were other issues behind the scenes that ownership wanted addressing coaching wise that Hextrall didn't address.
