Not the best representation of addition by subtraction. We need some ELC contracts on this team for flexibility. Does anyone want a repeat of last spring, when the Pens could not even dress a full team because of salary cap issues??

The Hawks blog writer is trying to tell me that Sharp is a better player than Hornqvist currently is... Career wise it's Sharp easily.

Who would you rather have if they were the same age, cap hti etc, Sharp or Hornqvist?
- BourbonCounty

At 28, Sharp had a 34 goal, 37 assist (71 point) campaign. Hornqvist hasn't hit 30 goals in 5 years. Sorry, but it's really outlandish for you to believe that AT THE SAME AGE, CAP HIT, ETC. Hornqvist is the better player. Let me know if Hornqvist ever makes it onto Sweden's Olympic roster.

why is it not in the org's best interest to capitalize on 2 of the top 5 players in the world's prime years?

mario has already shown his hand about what he thinks is coming by selling high.
- flyershockey

Two reasons:
1. Assets to acquire Kessel would be massive. Penguins would have NOTHING in way of future picks and prospects to restock their system. It would be putting all their chips into the center of the table for the next two years. Pittsburgh's future assets are so weak I seriously doubt they could offer enough to make a competitive offer for Kessel's services. Only way I can see it happening is if Kessel demands a trade to one of the 8 teams on his NTC list.
2. Toronto is NOT going to retain salary. Kessel's contract is too long and they can't be retaining salary 4+ years from now when they are competing again. They'll take back a bad contract like Scuderi which will offset the cost initially, but in a few years, the Pens will be crippled with too many high end contracts without any cap relief. Which they will inevitably not be getting because they will have zero young players in the system.

Two reasons:
1. Assets to acquire Kessel would be massive. Penguins would have NOTHING in way of future picks and prospects to restock their system. It would be putting all their chips into the center of the table for the next two years. Pittsburgh's future assets are so weak I seriously doubt they could offer enough to make a competitive offer for Kessel's services. Only way I can see it happening is if Kessel demands a trade to one of the 8 teams on his NTC list.
2. Toronto is NOT going to retain salary. Kessel's contract is too long and they can't be retaining salary 4+ years from now when they are competing again. They'll take back a bad contract like Scuderi which will offset the cost initially, but in a few years, the Pens will be crippled with too many high end contracts without any cap relief. Which they will inevitably not be getting because they will have zero young players in the system.
- jfkst1

so the penguins are going to be good enough anyway that most of their picks will fall 20 or lower for the next few years. obviously you can get good players in the 20s, but far from sure things. on the flip side, if you bring in a guy like kessel, you have an absolute sniper playing with either malkin or crosby, which neither guy has had. the pens time to win is now. accumulating assets is great, but when 87 and 71 are no longer the players they are now, chances are the penguins wont be cup contenders, regardless of the system.

Two reasons:
1. Assets to acquire Kessel would be massive. Penguins would have NOTHING in way of future picks and prospects to restock their system. It would be putting all their chips into the center of the table for the next two years. Pittsburgh's future assets are so weak I seriously doubt they could offer enough to make a competitive offer for Kessel's services. Only way I can see it happening is if Kessel demands a trade to one of the 8 teams on his NTC list.
2. Toronto is NOT going to retain salary. Kessel's contract is too long and they can't be retaining salary 4+ years from now when they are competing again. They'll take back a bad contract like Scuderi which will offset the cost initially, but in a few years, the Pens will be crippled with too many high end contracts without any cap relief. Which they will inevitably not be getting because they will have zero young players in the system.
- jfkst1

Or they could look to trade Malkin or Crosby two seasons from now.

yup, hard to not go sophomoric when someone named COX is talking about people wanting young penguins D.

so the penguins are going to be good enough anyway that most of their picks will fall 20 or lower for the next few years. obviously you can get good players in the 20s, but far from sure things. on the flip side, if you bring in a guy like kessel, you have an absolute sniper playing with either malkin or crosby, which neither guy has had. the pens time to win is now. accumulating assets is great, but when 87 and 71 are no longer the players they are now, chances are the penguins wont be cup contenders, regardless of the system.
- flyershockey

Theyll be giving up top prospects like Pouliot and Kapanen in addition to picks. Crosby and Malkin certainly won't be as good in the future, but they aren't likely to become ineffective in the next 5 years either.

Or they could look to trade Malkin or Crosby two seasons from now.
- A_Tree

Or they could look to trade Malkin or Crosby two seasons from now.
- A_Tree

Not likely when they both have full NMC.

EK has another post up about Pens and Kessel....why is JR even considering this?

EK has another post up about Pens and Kessel....why is JR even considering this?
- sammy87

He's not going to be here long and he's going to go all out. He could care less about the future of the team.

I hear Carl Soderberg rights got traded to COL for a 6th (anyone confirm?)

If JR feels he has the cap room for kessel, then why not make a competitive offer to frolik? 5 years at 5.5 per year. then you sell the fact he's playing with Sid or geno.

I hear Carl Soderberg rights got traded to COL for a 6th (anyone confirm?)
- so_buzz11

Yup that's the deal. Oreilly could be gone if Soderberg signs there

Won't happen only because of the point made here. The Leafs do not HAVE to move Kessel. Which means the Pens are going to have to overpay and basically forfeit the last of their bare prospect depth.

I mean the Leafs will gladly take for Kessel:

Maataa/Pouliot
Kapanen
2015 2nd
2016 1st
Cap dump(s)

But would or even should the Pens pay it? God no.

Everyone should just forget about Kessel. Leafs can keep him forever since they all love him so much...
- RonPielep

Yep. Agreed. According to most Leaf fans on here hes the greatest thing to ever lace up a pair of skates. Sounds like the perfect kind of player to mentor their kids coming up. A real winner. Why in the world would they ever want to trade him so badly? To trade Matta for him would be one of the most asinine things the Pens have done in years let alone add a first to it. If thats what the Leafs are expecting im guessing they'll be still standing when the music stops.

Won't happen only because of the point made here. The Leafs do not HAVE to move Kessel. Which means the Pens are going to have to overpay and basically forfeit the last of their bare prospect depth.

I mean the Leafs will gladly take for Kessel:

Maataa/Pouliot
Kapanen
2015 2nd
2016 1st
Cap dump(s)

But would or even should the Pens pay it? God no.
- Steven_Dean

Well, they've been throwing him off the team for the past 4 months. I think they have to trade him and will not get what they expect for him. If he's such an Elite player, why not rebuild your team around him?

If JR feels he has the cap room for kessel, then why not make a competitive offer to frolik? 5 years at 5.5 per year. then you sell the fact he's playing with Sid or geno.
- drummer829

That's exactly what everyone is saying. Frolik would be ideal in Johnston's system I think. The only thing Kessel knows about gap control is the gap between his thighs.

Frolik is gonna be highly sought after.... could see a bidding war happening

Would be a smart acquisition thou, Pitt can't throw away any assets anymore

Meanwhile, Eric Fehr gave his notice, he isn't returning to the Caps, he would look great on the Pens.... salary expectations are probably on the high side.
- nelson911

...but lower than other 3rd and 4th line C options out there.

That's exactly what everyone is saying. Frolik would be ideal in Johnston's system I think. The only thing Kessel knows about gap control is the gap between his thighs.
- jfkst1

Haha that is true. Frolik's speed could do wonders with malkin. Can you imagine if the pens signed frolik and tikhonov (or whatever his name is). Easily trade Kunitz for some cap relief

So the guy we spend all year making fun writes Kessel to Pitt and we lose our damned minds... Love this place

Well, they've been throwing him off the team for the past 4 months. I think they have to trade him and will not get what they expect for him. If he's such an Elite player, why not rebuild your team around him?
- elcabong

It's an option but if we get overpaid as I said then we can embrace the rebuild and get a couple more top 5 picks. We definitely don't have to trade him, no one on the Leafs staff said they have to move Kessel, the media has which now in this regime the Leafs are not going to answer to the media. In theory anyway lol.

please someone provide the sanity check that pittsburgh would not trade pouliot or maatta for kessel and that long contract. what does the contract look a few yrs from now? no thanks.

There is ONE thing to worry about though..... Kessel has us and 7 other no fits or terrible cap teams on his list. That would probably lower the asking price by a little bit. Maybe Ruth gets a good enough deal in his eyes for him?

We'll find out tomorrow

Yohe was on Madden. Madden commented that he get's the feeling GMJR is itching to make a move. Yohe responded by saying he talked with somebody within the organization and he said he would agree with that.

Get ready.