Salary Cap: Roster-building Thread XXVII: Trade Deadline, I... Am Your Father.

[HandshakeLine]

Have at it. And to keep the ball (and the flames) rolling:

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on...eking-rental-defenseman-before-trade-deadline

...He's going to add a forward. And we're finding out now he's going to add a defenseman, a rental. We're looking at a Cody Franson or maybe a Jeff Petry. And to a lesser degree, whether it's a Scott Hannan or Jan Hejda, I think Jim Rutherford because of some of the youth on his blue line would like to add some experience before March 2. They're going for it. They're a contender. And they want to get better there."

I'm intrigued by the forward idea, less a fan of a blue-line rental.

All figures are cap numbers, not salaries. The projected cap numbers below, however, haven't been updated recently because of the demise of Capgeek.

2014-2015 salary ceiling: ....69,000,000
Projected cap spending: ......68,733,167
Projected cap space: ...............175,000
Projected deadline space: ......1,547,198


PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forward.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Evgeni Malkin|

C​

|

27​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

|

9,500,000​

Sidney Crosby|

C​

|

26​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

|

8,700,000​

Patric Hornqvist|

RW​

|

27​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

|

4,250,000​

Chris Kunitz|

LW​

|

34​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

|

3,850,000​

David Perron|

LW​

|

26​

|

3,812,500​

|

3,812,500​

|

UFA​

Brandon Sutter|

C​

|

25​

|

3,300,000​

|

3,300,000​

|

UFA​

Nick Spaling|

LW​

|

25​

|

2,200,000​

|

2,200,000​

|

UFA​

Maxim Lapierre|

C​

|

29​

|

1,100,000​

|

UFA​

Steve Downie|

RW​

|

27​

|

1,000,000​

|

UFA​

Beau Bennett|

LW​

|

22​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Blake Comeau|

LW​

|

28​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

Craig Adams|

RW​

|

37​

|

700,000​

|

UFA​

Zach Sill|

C​

|

26​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Kris Letang|

D​

|

27​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

|

7,250,000​

Paul Martin|

D​

|

33​

|

5,000,000​

|

UFA​

Christian Ehrhoff|

D​

|

32​

|

4,000,000​

|

UFA​

Rob Scuderi|

D​

|

35​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

|

3,375,000​

Simon Despres|

D​

|

22​

|

900,000​

|

900,000​

|

RFA​

Derrick Pouliot|

D​

|

20​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

|

863,333​

Robert Bortuzzo|

D​

|

25​

|

600,000​

|

RFA​

Goalie...................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Marc-Andre Fleury|

G​

|

29​

|

5,000,000​

|

5,750,000​

|

5,750,000​

Thomas Greiss|

G​

|

28​

|

1,000,000​

|

UFA​

Injured reserve......​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

.2016-17​

Pascal Dupuis|

RW​

|

35​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

|

3,750,000​

Olli Maatta|

D​

|

19​

|

894,167​

|

894,167​

|

RFA​

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

Forward...............​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Jayson Megna|

RW​

|

24​

|

874,125​

|

RFA​

Scott Wilson|

LW​

|

22​

|

655,000​

|

655,000​

|

RFA​

Bryan Rust|

RW​

|

22​

|

652,500​

|

652,500​

|

RFA​

Adam Payerl|

RW​

|

23​

|

626,667​

|

RFA​

Anton Zlobin|

LW​

|

21​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

RFA​

Matia Marcantuoni|

C​

|

20​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

|

608,333​

Dominik Uher|

C​

|

21​

|

601,667​

|

RFA​

Tom Kuhnhackl|

LW​

|

22​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Andrew Ebbett|

C​

|

31​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Bobby Farnham|

LW​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

Nick Drazenovic|

C​

|

27​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond|

RW​

|

29​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Defense.............................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Brian Dumoulin|

D​

|

22​

|

831,667​

|

RFA​

Harrison Ruopp|

D​

|

21​

|

650,833​

|

650,833​

|

RFA​

Nick D'Agostino|

D​

|

23​

|

625,000​

|

RFA​

Scott Harrington|

D​

|

21​

|

589,167​

|

589,167​

|

RFA​

Reid McNeill|

D​

|

22​

|

575,000​

|

RFA​

Taylor Chorney|

D​

|

27​

|

550,000​

|

UFA​

Goalie................................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Matt Murray|

G​

|

20​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

|

620,000​

Jeff Zatkoff|

G​

|

27​

|

600,000​

|

600,000​

|

UFA​

WHEELING NAILERS

Forward........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Josh Archibald|

RW​

|

21​

|

659,167​

|

659,167​

|

659,167​

Jean-Sebastien Dea|

C​

|

20​

|

598,333​

|

598,333​

|

598,333​

|

RFA​

Goalie...........................​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

2014-15​

|

2015-16​

|

2016-17​

Eric Hartzell|

G​

|

25​

|

550,000​

|

RFA​

SIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team​

|

Contract​

Kasperi Kapanen|

RW​

|

18​

|

KalPa (Liiga)​

|

3 years/925,000 per​

Oskar Sundqvist|

C​

|

20​

|

SkellefteÃ¥ (SHL)​

|

3 years/708,333 per​

Tristan Jarry|

G​

|

19​

|

Edmonton (WHL)​

|

3 years/650,833 per​

UNSIGNED PROSPECTS

Player​

​

​

|

Pos.​

|

Age​

|

Current Team (League)​

Anthony Angello|

F​

|

18​

|Omaha (USHL)

Dane Birks|

D​

|

18​

|Michigan Tech (WCHA)

Teddy Blueger|

F​

|

19​

|Minnesota State (WCHA)

Blaine Byron|

F​

|

19​

|Maine (HEA)

Jake Guentzel|

F​

|

19​

|Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)

Troy Josephs|

F​

|

20​

|Clarkson (ECAC)

Sam Lafferty|

F​

|

19​

|Brown (ECAC)

Jaden Lindo|

F​

|

18​

|Owen Sound (OHL)

Sean Maguire|

G​

|

21​

|Boston University (HEA)

Alexander Pechurskiy|

G​

|

24​

|Magnitogorsk (KHL)

Ryan Segalla|

D​

|

19​

|Connecticut (HEA)

Jeff Taylor|

D​

|

20​

|Union (ECAC)

I used 5v5 stats from 2010-11 through 2014-15 looking at forwards in the top 50% of goals per game (0.09 GPG), top 25% of hits per game (1.56 HpG) and top 50% in hits differential per game (0.14). Recognizing that hits are a biased stat and that hits don't include all physicality, I thought it would be sufficient considering the timeframe and application.

78 total active players fit those parameters with 9 rookies (<20 games played) and 5 AHL players (3 rookie players are also AHL players).

Of those 78:

• Pens Players (3): Megna*, Comeau, Kunitz, Arcobello
• Franchise players / captains (7): Landeskog, Getzlaf, Jamie Benn, D Brown, Ovechkin, Doan, Backes
• New Contracts (9): Kreider, Bjugstad, N Foligno, Kulemin, Dubinsky, Callahan, Komarov, Wingels, Garbutt
• Young players (Tier 1) (6): Trocheck, Jenner, Girgensons, Zibanejad, Niederreiter, E Kane
• Young players (Tier 2) (5): Paquette, Jaskin, Lowry, Colborne, Marcus Foligno
• Rookies (8): B Ritchie, Schaller, Pakarinen, Rendulic, Dano, Aliu*, Dziurzynski*, McMillan*
• Unlikely to be Available (9): Stoll, Simmonds, Clutterbuck, B Schenn*, Lucic, A Lee*, Zack Kassian*, J Persson*(R), J Staal
• Don't want (10): C Neil, B Morrow, Fisher, Clarkson, Setoguchi, T Ruutu, Greening, Jamie McGinn (I), Slater, Clowe (I)
• AHL Players (4): Colin McDonald, Chad Larose, Raffi Torres, Ryan Malone
• UFA (5): Beleskey (ANA), J Hayes (FLA), E Cole (DAL), Eaves (DAL), Klinkhammer (EDM)
• Controversial contracts (2): Bickell, Hartnell
• Otherwise not listed (9): Skille (CBJ), Helm (DET), Z Smith (OTT), Hanzal (ARI), Abdelkader (DET), Cooke (MIN), Boyle (FLA), Nystrom (NSH), Brouwer (WSH)

Now that there's no Capgeek, here's a list of the pending UFA forwards that might potentially be interested in.

Fleischmann, Tlusty, Ryder, Glenncross, Williams, Jagr, Vermette, Soderberg, Frolik, Slater, Ward, Fehr, Matthias, Santillori, Booth, Winnik, Morrow, Lindstrom, TK, Beleskey, Erat, Stafford, Stewart, Richards, Briere, Letestu, Horcroff, Cole, Cleary, Roy, Upshall, Bergenheim, Kopecky, Stoll, Fisher, Cullen, O.Jokinen, Havlet, MSL, Zuccarello Condra

Click to read more...

 

[steveg]

I'm intrigued by the forward idea

I'm intrigued by it, too...just not so sure about the idea. I mean, ABSOLUTELY we could use another top-6 forward. BUT, I'm not sure we have the cap space and expendable assets (ones that management are WILLING to expend, anyway), to bring in a top-6 upgrade. We COULD better afford an upgrade to the bottom 6, BUT -- IMO, the bottom 6 would not be the best place to add. My feeling is that any bottom 6 upgrade (and by extension an upgrade to overall depth) should come indirectly, through an upgrade for the top 6 and the ensuing "trickle-down" effect. Otherwise (as I'll try to demonstrate), if we are only able to target/bring in a bottom-6 guy, then I don't think it's worth wasting assets on a trade.

The TWO QUESTIONS as I see them, as far as a top-6 upgrade, are these: WHO could we afford that is a top-6 upgrade, and WILL management make the proper lineup decisions if we WERE to acquire a top-6 upgrade.

As for question #1 -- who could we afford...

The ONE move that would most "intrigue" me, and I think COULD be affordable, is a move for Jagr (Dumo and a pick?) If I were the Pens GM, I would be ALL OVER this idea, and then I'd expect the coaches to ice this roster:

Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist
Comeau-Malkin-Jagr
Kunitz-Sutter-Bennett
Spaling-Lapierre-Downie

Sill/Adams/Rust

To me, that is SOLID, it is DEEP, it is decently PHYSICAL/GRITTY, it is a PLAYOFF-TYPE roster, and it makes us a true contender. And, it is VERY MUCH within reach, I believe. It upgrades the top 6, which upgrades the bottom 6, and we have great depth in case of injury (in which case Sill, Adams, and even Rust move into the lineup on L4, and then ANY ONE OF THE FOUR of the bottom 6 wingers in the above roster -- Kunitz, Bennett, Spaling, Downie -- are very capable of moving up in the lineup and playing capably as a fill-in). To me, that should be our playoff lineup/roster, and if so -- I'm liking our chances.

That brings me to question two -- will the coaches make the proper roster decisions...

I see two large problems -- problems that I do NOT see changing, and problems that, unless they change, suggest to me that a trade for a forward should NOT happen -- it would simply be unnecessary IMO. And those two problems are -- one, Kunitz cemented at L1 LW, and two, Adams cemented at L4 RW. If these two scenarios are set in stone, then I really don't see a reason to make a trade.

Here's what I'm saying. Perron and Hornqvist are not moving from the top 6, nor should they. If Kunitz is ALSO not moving, due to Crosby/management stubbornness, then the ONLY one who I believe it could be argued could possibly be bumped down (in place of an incoming player) is Comeau. And my strong opinion is that -- despite what some here think of Comeau and his "not a true top 6 wing" stigma -- I personally don't want him moved off of Malkin's wing. I really believe that he and Malkin have something going (production-wise and chemistry-wise) that would be really tough to replicate/improve upon -- GIVEN what this team can afford right now, and GIVEN the short time that is available between the deadline and the playoffs.

So, assuming that Kunitz is NOT MOVING from the top 6, then we have what I see to be a log-jam in the top 6.

Now, the other option, of course, as I mentioned early on, is to bring in a bottom-6 wing. I said I did not like that option -- and I'll try to demonstrate my reasoning. Let's say we are looking at a bottom-6 player to bring in, and it's Winnik, for the sake of argument (it could be whomever else you prefer, but let's just go with him for the sake of argument).

Here's our current playoff roster, assuming no trades, and no willingness to un-glue Kunitz and Adams from their current roster spots...

Kunitz-Crosby-Perron
Comeau-Malkin-Horny
Spaling/Downie-Sutter-Bennett
Spaling/Downie-Lapierre-Adams
Sill

Now, compare that to the roster where we trade for the "Winnik-type"...

Kunitz-Crosby-Perron
Comeau-Malkin-Horny
Winnik-Sutter-Bennett
Spaling/Downie-Lapierre-Adams
Sill

Is that roster really -- to any great degree -- better than the one directly above it (i.e. our "current" roster?) I would argue that it is NOT, at least not enough to bother sending out assets to acquire the "Winnik" type. I'd really rather just keep the assets, in this case, and run with what we have.

And THIS is why I say that while I do find it intriguing to consider bringing in a winger, we ONLY need to do so IF it is a TOP 6 upgrade, and IF it is KUNITZ that is being bumped from the top 6. Otherwise, I vote a resounding NO. Just keep the assets, take our chances with the (imperfect) roster we have, and then fix the team during the summer.


As far as the defense, and us bringing in a defensemen at the deadline, I say no to that, UNLESS we can move Dumoulin for a physical, capable #4 to run beside Ehrhoff.

I believe we are good with Letang and Martin as the top pair. I do NOT like Scuds' NEGATIVE puck skills -- he's not a positive, he's not a zero, he's a NEGATIVE with the puck on his stick. But, with that said, he has played acceptably enough IMO in terms of defense, to be a part of a sheltered playoff-caliber third pairing. Would I rather him be the #7 D in the playoffs? Absolutely, but -- like the Kunitz and Adams scenarios, I do not believe he will be bumped to #7. SO -- assuming he will be our #6, I think that means Bortz is the #7, as he CANNOT play with Scuds.

So -- here are the two realistic options as I see them (as Scuds being #7 is NOT realistic):

Letang-Martin
Ehrhoff-Despres
Scuds-Pouliot

Bortz

I'm OK with this, but it's definitely a younger, and more risky D-group for a playoff run. BUT, I think that's what I'd do -- as I like the X-factor of Pouliot's offensive flair both at ES and on the PP. YES, he will make mistakes, but playing him on the #2 PP and somewhat sheltered on the third pairing, my gut is that his mistakes will hurt us LESS than his offensive skill will HELP us.

The other option as I mentioned is to bring in a physical, capable D-man who can skate, to pair with Ehrhoff, IF we can acquire such a player for Dumo. It would probably have to be an older player, such that Dumo and his cheap contract and upside would be enough value to bring in someone with #4 skills and qualities as I described them above. Hopefully, this player would have one year left after this year on his contract, so as to not be a PURE rental.

Then, we would ice:

Letang-Martin
Ehrhoff-TRADE
Scuds-Despres

Bortz/Pouliot

This would be fine, though I actually prefer Despres getting more ice time than sheltered 3rd-line minutes. That statement about Despres will probably not sit well with some here, but that's what I believe. And my gut says that -- instead of trading an asset to bring someone else in, that running Despres with Ehrhoff and Scuds with Pouliot actually is what we need to do for the playoffs.

To summarize...at the deadline send Dumoulin and a pick for Jagr and a pick. Then, we run this playoff lineup:

Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist
Comeau-Malkin-Jagr
Kunitz-Sutter-Bennett
Spaling-Lapierre-Downie

Adams/Sill/Rust

Letang-Martin
Ehrhoff-Despres
Scuderi-Pouliot

Bortuzzo/Harrington (and Chorney, if it gets that bad).

We then ice TWO "EQUAL" PP units, with both Pouliot and Jagr on the second unit.

Letang/Malkin/Crosby/Perron/Horny as unit one, and
Pouliot/Martin/Sutter/Jagr/Kunitz as unit two

I think that is a solid playoff team; IF that team can maintain some semblance of health, and focus very strongly/seriously for the remainder of the regular season on developing cohesion/chemistry as well as playing structured and sound, then I really think that we would end up being true contenders for the playoffs (though not favorites).

 

[redsono93]

What would it take to land Kessel?

 

[tbassett]

I really don't get chasing a defensemen for a playoff run. Pouliot has played really well and we can get him experience this year. Guys like S. Hannan are not an upgrade.

I think we need another bottom 6 forward but it doesn't seem the coaching staff thinks so. If we went and got Winnick he's not going to replace Adams, so again what's the point. C. Adams is apparently un-replaceable in the eyes of the coaching staff.

 

[PensPlz]

Not a chance JR breaks up the top 6 as it is right now. That probably means no Jagr.

Unless there is major injury, I see him going for bottom 6 help or depth on defense.

 

[Winger for Hire]

What would it take to land Kessel?

An act of god, a couple dozen Krispy Kremes, a lot of salary shipped out and the sacrifice of no less than 2 HFBoards posters from this forum.

 

[JWells16]

I really don't get chasing a defensemen for a playoff run. Pouliot has played really well and we can get him experience this year. Guys like S. Hannan are not an upgrade.

I've liked Pouliot, but I don't think he's ready for the playoffs. His defense just isn't there yet, IMO.

 

[tbassett]

I've liked Pouliot, but I don't think he's ready for the playoffs. His defense just isn't there yet, IMO.

I think he would do fine. Certainly better than Hejda or Hannan. I'm seeing flashes of Letang in his game. He can skate the puck out or make excellent passes. When he's on the ice he doesn't seem to be playing much defense anyways.

 

[SEALBound]

If JR is looking for Top 6 help, I would suggest Tlusty or Jagr. Tlusty is a Kunitz-lite player, Jagr is Jagr. Either way, it bumps a current top 6 winger to the bottom 6. So it helps the bottom 6 via strengthening the Top 6.

If JR is looking for bottom 6 help I would suggest Kassian or Tlusty. Tlusty, again, Kunitz-lite and would really make a heck of a third line. Tlusty-Sutter-BB/NS/SD. Very good. Depth top 6 wing that can fill in for injuries as well.

Kassian provides that mean streak physicality and proved in the past he can contribute. Would add a ton of grit to the third line. Worst case, he displaces Sill or Adams on the 4th line. Either way, excellent depth pick up.

Lots of line up possibilities with any one of those pick ups. I see them being more potential impact players than Winnik, Santo, etc. I see them as the Poni, Morrow, Stempniak, Goc, etc pickups. Tlusty, Kassian, or even potentially Jagr would all be fantastic resignings.

 

[Black Label]

I just don't think that any of the rentals that are available this year are going to put us over the top. I would much rather trade for a long term top six option. Then again, I think management is more optimistic about the teams chances this year.

Same with the defense. No single player is going to stop our other defensemen from having complete meltdowns in their own end.

 

[Shady Machine]

I've liked Pouliot, but I don't think he's ready for the playoffs. His defense just isn't there yet, IMO.

I tend to agree, but I'd take the risk. We have Dumoulin, Harrington, Pouliot, and Bortuzzo as options.

Does anyone really think Scott Hannan is an upgrade over one of those guys?

If it's Petry or Franson, I'd understand, but not Hejda or Hannan.

 

[Shady Machine]

I hate to bring up the cap because it will lead to some crazy discussion with everyone thinking they are right and no one actually knows 100% what they are talking about. However, I am sure we can't bring in both a top 4 dman like a Petry or Franson and a Jagr, Tlusty, or even Winnik without shedding a higher cost guy from the roster.

So unless JR is a magician, it's like going to be a D or a F but not both.

Furthermore, even if we bring in a Winnik or Santorelli, it will likely only push Bennett, Downie, or Sill out of the lineup. It appears Adams spot is locked in stone. So given that, I'd probably rather just stand pat.

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

I tend to agree, but I'd take the risk. We have Dumoulin, Harrington, Pouliot, and Bortuzzo as options.

Does anyone really think Scott Hannan is an upgrade over one of those guys?

If it's Petry or Franson, I'd understand, but not Hejda or Hannan.

This, 100% this.

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

I hate to bring up the cap because it will lead to some crazy discussion with everyone thinking they are right and no one actually knows 100% what they are talking about. However, I am sure we can't bring in both a top 4 dman like a Petry or Franson and a Jagr, Tlusty, or even Winnik without shedding a higher cost guy from the roster.

So unless JR is a magician, it's like going to be a D or a F but not both.

On deadline day I believe there will be 40 days left in the season. If that is accurate, our .791 (estimated) cap space will be able to accommodate roughly 3.59 in player base salary. That's not including space opened up by the necessary roster moved to open roster spots.

 

[cheesedanish87]

I hate to bring up the cap because it will lead to some crazy discussion with everyone thinking they are right and no one actually knows 100% what they are talking about. However, I am sure we can't bring in both a top 4 dman like a Petry or Franson and a Jagr, Tlusty, or even Winnik without shedding a higher cost guy from the roster.

So unless JR is a magician, it's like going to be a D or a F but not both.

Furthermore, even if we bring in a Winnik or Santorelli, it will likely only push Bennett, Downie, or Sill out of the lineup. It appears Adams spot is locked in stone. So given that, I'd probably rather just stand pat.

Its possible JR can bring in a Winnik and a Petry without moving a major salary out if other teams retain salary.

If Toronto retains Winnik salary he would have the same cap hit as a AHL call up, so basically he wouldn't effect the cap at all.

And a Petry or a Methot with salary retained would only be about a 1.5 million cap hit for the pens, they could fit them in without moving a major salary.

 

[BHD]

Hannan is awful and Hejda isn't that good either. Methot or Petry would be good pickups though.

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

Its possible JR can bring in a Winnik and a Petry without moving a major salary out if other teams retain salary.

If Toronto retains Winnik salary he would have the same cap hit as a AHL call up, so basically he wouldn't effect the cap at all.

And a Petry or a Methot with salary retained would only be about a 1.5 million cap hit for the pens, they could fit them in without moving a major salary.

Again assuming a deadline day trade Winnik would fit easily. Say they acquire Winnik for a non roster player. Winnik bring in 1.3 and demoting Sill would take off .55 for a total of 0.75 million in additional base salary. That salary will prorate to roughly 0.165 (22%) against our cap space of .791.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Again assuming a deadline day trade Winnik would fit easily. Say they acquire Winnik for a non roster player. Winnik bring in 1.3 and demoting Sill would take off .55 for a total of 0.75 million in additional base salary. That salary will prorate to roughly 0.165 (22%) against our cap space of .791.

Yeah.

If you add a Winnik and a Petry your going to get rid of 2 players off your roster, say Sill and DP(back to AHL)

That's about 1.4 million of cap space you save by having those players come off your roster.


Petry and Winnik at half salary count for about 2.1 million, so its definitly doable for JR

 

[HandshakeLine]

I hate to bring up the cap because it will lead to some crazy discussion with everyone thinking they are right and no one actually knows 100% what they are talking about. However, I am sure we can't bring in both a top 4 dman like a Petry or Franson and a Jagr, Tlusty, or even Winnik without shedding a higher cost guy from the roster.

So unless JR is a magician, it's like going to be a D or a F but not both.

Furthermore, even if we bring in a Winnik or Santorelli, it will likely only push Bennett, Downie, or Sill out of the lineup. It appears Adams spot is locked in stone. So given that, I'd probably rather just stand pat.

Yes and no. It's gonna depend on the deals we swing and who we trade with, as always. What's interesting is that this year we've already seen some weird trades (Kane being freshest in mind), so that I'm not sure I really have a sense of what assets are worth or who's untouchable these days, unlike in years past.

The ability to retain salary adds such an interesting wrinkle into deadline predictions now that I'm really struggling to figure out who's going to go where and for what.

 

[metalan2]

It is absolutely mind blowing Downie sat for Sill. If Sill and Adams are a unit and on the ice at the same time we will perpetually struggle. If Johnston continues to do that he should be fired at the end of the season because he is clearly an inept coach.

 

[metalan2]

Either way if Downie was hurt or not hurt the Penguins need another bottom six guy in case one of them does get injured. You absolutely cannot go into a playoff game with Sill and Adams on your fourth line. You just can't expect to win.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Looking at names I haven't seen mentioned around here, Tim Gleason is a guy they could bring in on the cheap. He could play a bottom pair role with DP and add some real grit into the lineup. JR also has the connection there and will know Gleason well.

He's making 1.2m and is a UFA this summer.

I saw him with the Leafs and he's a pretty sound stay at home guy. Mean as hell at times and can take bad penalties when he crosses the line. He isn't much for offense from what I recall, but he is way better with the puck than Scuds.

Seems like a realistic target if JR wants to add another vet on the blueline.

 

[Will Hunting]

Looking at names I haven't seen mentioned around here, Tim Gleason is a guy they could bring in on the cheap. He could play a bottom pair role with DP and add some real grit into the lineup. JR also has the connection there and will know Gleason well.

He's making 1.2m and is a UFA this summer.

I saw him with the Leafs and he's a pretty sound stay at home guy. Mean as hell at times and can take bad penalties when he crosses the line. He isn't much for offense from what I recall, but he is way better with the puck than Scuds.

Seems like a realistic target if JR wants to add another vet on the blueline.

Gleason could be had for a 7th, I guess. He used to be solid but his best days are behind him, it seems. Wasn´t he on waivers last year? Or a throw-in in some trade (Liles?)? Or a healthy-scratch multiple times in Carolina/Toronto?

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Hannan is awful and Hejda isn't that good either. Methot or Petry would be good pickups though.

You're wrong. Hejda has played very tough minutes for a long time now and done pretty well. He would be great bottom six player for a contender. He can even stunt in top-4. Hejda has mainly played in Colorado's top-pairing with Erik Johnson. He hasn't been out of place playing the toughest minutes, so I don't know how you can say isn't that good either. He would be great addition for many playoff teams. At least as a depth player, If nothing else.

He's steady defensive defenseman, put him up with someone who has puck skills and you will get a good pairing.

 

[drpepper]

You're wrong. Hejda has played very tough minutes for a long time now and done pretty well. He would be great bottom six player for a contender. He can even stunt in top-4. Hejda has mainly played in Colorado's top-pairing with Erik Johnson. He hasn't been out of place playing the toughest minutes, so I don't know how you can say isn't that good either. He would be great addition for many playoff teams. At least as a depth player, If nothing else.

He's steady defensive defenseman, put him up with someone who has puck skills and you will get a good pairing.

The problem is the Pens already have a Hejda-like guy in Scuderi. Hejda likely can't play with Scuderi leaving him playing in the top 4 with Ehrhoff.

I don't think adding Hejda in place of Bortuzzo/Pouliot substantially improves the blueline.

It is a similar problem with Gleason. Can Gleason play with Scuderi? If not, then he's getting top 4 minutes with Ehrhoff. He's likely not a substantial improvement over Bortuzzo/Pouliot.

Pens need a top 4 guy that can play with Ehrhoff (RHD or can play off-side) or a bottom pairing PMD (RHD or can play off-side) to play with Scuderi moving Despres up with Ehrhoff.

Martin-Letang
Ehrhoff-TRADE
Scuderi-Despres

OR

Martin-Letang
Ehrhoff-Despres
Scuderi-TRADE

Theoretically, Johnston could play Ehrhoff-Letang TRADE-Martin OR TRADE-Letang Ehrhoff-Martin if the ideal trade target could only play the left side. Despres is nailed to Scuderi in those scenarios.