Rock solid sources tell me Penguins in play for Joel Ward. Team had good discussions today.

That's from one of the 93.7 fan guys...

Anyways. Names I'm seeing on twitter from all the fake and not fake people..

Pens interested in......

Ward
Lucic
MSL
Kessel (of course)
Frolik
Oshie (of course)

And apparently we deals in place with plotnikov AND tikhonov.. Just no #'s till July 1st...

BTW its 0313 here overseas and I can't sleep with all these rumors lol
- nh4442

Where are you located?

that's weird to trade for rights when you can talk to him now.

my guess would be that COL is willing to throw the money at him and make him sign before he has the chance to receive real and hard offers from other teams.
- SuperHenderson13

Teams can talk to players now but they can't talk money (or at least they're not supposed to). It's more of a sales pitch about the city/team and the role a player will have. But I've read teams get around talking about money specifically by telling the player they see him as player "X" and basically they'll offer the same deal as player "X" has.

Where are you located?
- usethe1-2-2

I'm deployed right now. southwest Asia area...

I'm conflicted by this idea, but not for the same reasons as most Penguin fans. I've been a leafs fan for over 35 year but also had the privilege to hold season tickets in the QMJL. I'm from the same province as Crosby and watched both him and Fleury mature over the years as I've followed both teams.
Kessel is a very talented player on a bad team with an out of control media that is Toronto. He is at the same level as Patrick Kane with a better contract. I may get ripped for this but if you took Kane and switched him for kessel the last five years, not only do they win the cup but they are a better team. Kane would have been eaten alive in Toronto by the media with some of the foolishness he has pulled over the years, he is a complimentary player at best like Kessel and without the leadership core in Chicago things would be a lot different. Players like Kessel rarely become available in there prime and what ever team lands him will be better off for it. He is not the player you bring into lead you core, he has a very particular set of skills, skills he's acquired over a very productive career. Skill that make him a nightmare for opposing defense.
Toronto failure building a solid core is what it is, a failure by management unwilling to do a proper build. Short of given up one of Malkin or Crosby, Penguins win the trade. The question really needs to be are the pens a cup contender because your either rising or falling. Crosby and Malkin are only going to be in there prime for so many more years before a rebuild will have to take place. The team that wins a trade is the one who gets the best player.

Mr. Tanner says forget about Kessel. Sam Gagner is the supreme talent.

I'm conflicted by this idea, but not for the same reasons as most Penguin fans. I've been a leafs fan for over 35 year but also had the privilege to hold season tickets in the QMJL. I'm from the same province as Crosby and watched both him and Fleury mature over the years as I've followed both teams.
Kessel is a very talented player on a bad team with an out of control media that is Toronto. He is at the same level as Patrick Kane with a better contract. I may get ripped for this but if you took Kane and switched him for kessel the last five years, not only do they win the cup but they are a better team. Kane would have been eaten alive in Toronto by the media with some of the foolishness he has pulled over the years, he is a complimentary player at best like Kessel and without the leadership core in Chicago things would be a lot different. Players like Kessel rarely become available in there prime and what ever team lands him will be better off for it. He is not the player you bring into lead you core, he has a very particular set of skills, skills he's acquired over a very productive career. Skill that make him a nightmare for opposing defense.
Toronto failure building a solid core is what it is, a failure by management unwilling to do a proper build. Short of given up one of Malkin or Crosby, Penguins win the trade. The question really needs to be are the pens a cup contender because your either rising or falling. Crosby and Malkin are only going to be in there prime for so many more years before a rebuild will have to take place. The team that wins a trade is the one who gets the best player.

- BadWaffle

Our depth, whatever we have left would be totally dismantled. If we trade a young Dman, our D will be so bad that our O would have to score six per game. We have questions on our D right now. 47% of the cap would be taken up by four players, if Kessel is here. That is a tremendous amount of money to throw at four players.

Even if Pittsburgh got Kessel, I don't think we win the deal necessarily, especially if Maatta is going the other way. That creates more problems than Kessel solves.

I'm conflicted by this idea, but not for the same reasons as most Penguin fans. I've been a leafs fan for over 35 year but also had the privilege to hold season tickets in the QMJL. I'm from the same province as Crosby and watched both him and Fleury mature over the years as I've followed both teams.
Kessel is a very talented player on a bad team with an out of control media that is Toronto. He is at the same level as Patrick Kane with a better contract. I may get ripped for this but if you took Kane and switched him for kessel the last five years, not only do they win the cup but they are a better team. Kane would have been eaten alive in Toronto by the media with some of the foolishness he has pulled over the years, he is a complimentary player at best like Kessel and without the leadership core in Chicago things would be a lot different. Players like Kessel rarely become available in there prime and what ever team lands him will be better off for it. He is not the player you bring into lead you core, he has a very particular set of skills, skills he's acquired over a very productive career. Skill that make him a nightmare for opposing defense.
Toronto failure building a solid core is what it is, a failure by management unwilling to do a proper build. Short of given up one of Malkin or Crosby, Penguins win the trade. The question really needs to be are the pens a cup contender because your either rising or falling. Crosby and Malkin are only going to be in there prime for so many more years before a rebuild will have to take place. The team that wins a trade is the one who gets the best player.

- BadWaffle

Leave us alone - There is no way we can fit Kessel in with the cap situation over the next 7 years. If you want to retain $5M of his contract maybe we can work something out. But, we KNOW you won't so why not just go talk to Florida.

FYI - Patrick Kane is Sooooooooooooooooooooooo much better than Kessel it is just so hard to even respond to your message - But I'm the only one here.

So, GTFOOH

I agree with you if we are looking to build a good foundation for the long term. But where you and I differ in opinion is that I firmly believe that if we dont win the cup again over the next 3 years we wont be winning it again for a very long time. We have been so spoiled with talent that we forget to look around the league at teams that have gone decades without a sniff at the cup, or the teams that have never had a taste.

Knocking on the door are Edmonton, Buffalo, and no one in our system or who we will draft over the next couple years are going to help us compete against that kind of talent.

Once the sun sets on the Crosby era, it sets on the Pens cup chances.

If we don't throw everything at the next couple years to win the cup we dont deserve to win another one. You dont waste a generational talents prime years.
- stackthepads

We have already thrown away quite a bit over the years ... solid assets for bullpoop type rentals. Kessel isn't a rental, however, I think his acquisition creates more problems. You trade one of two young Dmen as the centerpiece (Maatta, or Pouliot) and Kapanen and another first round pick, you once again kill any sort of building options on the farm. We lack talent all over the place ... at forward and on defense. I'm not sure you have really thought about our defense without Pouliot or Maatta (absolutely foolish to deal him for dough boy). It's bad with them in there ... makes it worse without them by quite a bit.

It's time to try to build some depth. Chicago has prevailed by winning Cups and not making too many foolish decisions. You can do both. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh has failed on both accounts.

8 million for the next seven years of dough boy and the cost it will have in regards of assets we send north make this idea a bad one on all fronts.

I'm conflicted by this idea, but not for the same reasons as most Penguin fans. I've been a leafs fan for over 35 year but also had the privilege to hold season tickets in the QMJL. I'm from the same province as Crosby and watched both him and Fleury mature over the years as I've followed both teams.
Kessel is a very talented player on a bad team with an out of control media that is Toronto. He is at the same level as Patrick Kane with a better contract. I may get ripped for this but if you took Kane and switched him for kessel the last five years, not only do they win the cup but they are a better team. Kane would have been eaten alive in Toronto by the media with some of the foolishness he has pulled over the years, he is a complimentary player at best like Kessel and without the leadership core in Chicago things would be a lot different. Players like Kessel rarely become available in there prime and what ever team lands him will be better off for it. He is not the player you bring into lead you core, he has a very particular set of skills, skills he's acquired over a very productive career. Skill that make him a nightmare for opposing defense.
Toronto failure building a solid core is what it is, a failure by management unwilling to do a proper build. Short of given up one of Malkin or Crosby, Penguins win the trade. The question really needs to be are the pens a cup contender because your either rising or falling. Crosby and Malkin are only going to be in there prime for so many more years before a rebuild will have to take place. The team that wins a trade is the one who gets the best player.

- BadWaffle

Most of us recognize Kessel is a very good offensive player. We also recognize we need multiple players to make this team a legit contender. Kessel's cap hit does not work for the Pens.

If we're talking about Maatta, I'm not sure Kessel is the best player in the deal. It's not meant to offend Kessel, it's just we think Maatta is a special player. The kid is a future star at both ends of the ice. Just needs to stay healthy.

Our depth, whatever we have left would be totally dismantled. If we trade a young Dman, our D will be so bad that our O would have to score six per game. We have questions on our D right now. 47% of the cap would be taken up by four players, if Kessel is here. That is a tremendous amount of money to throw at four players.

Even if Pittsburgh got Kessel, I don't think we win the deal necessarily, especially if Maatta is going the other way. That creates more problems than Kessel solves.
- Oneonta Penguin

I really don't think the deal works more for Toronto than Penguins, you would most likely have to give up your top prospect, Sutter and a first but are able to get ride of a bad contract or two. Kessel deal is market value and as the cap goes up will be a steal. the only down side I see is five year from now when he starts to decline.

I'm deployed right now. southwest Asia area...
- nh4442

Ok, my brother is navy in Okinawa

Most of us recognize Kessel is a very good offensive player. We also recognize we need multiple players to make this team a legit contender. Kessel's cap hit does not work for the Pens.

If we're talking about Maatta, I'm not sure Kessel is the best player in the deal. It's not meant to offend Kessel, it's just we think Maatta is a special player. The kid is a future star at both ends of the ice. Just needs to stay healthy.
- madmike71

Exactly ... I feel the same about Maatta.

Kapanen, Bennett, Harrington, Scuderi, Kunitz, 2016 3rd

For

Kessel with 1.5 retained


That's a deal I'd make, but I imagine Toronto would fine a better deal elsewhere.

No way I trade Mattaa, and even Pouliot leaves a hole on our already thin D, that cannot be filled after taking on Kessels salary.

Frolik is gonna command 5 million plus. for a solid 40 pts 2nd-3rd line tweener, that is a lot of cash.

Personally I don't think Pittsburgh will be willing to give up what it takes to get phil.
I would be curious to see what kessel actually can do with a legit #1 center though, after years of stajan/connolly/bozak.

Alright, it took me forever to figure out how to make this work with the cap and it only works with a full Scuderi dump or if Toronto retains Kessel's salary. And that's just for this year. With Perron, Maatta, and the two Russians all needing raises, there's just no (frank)ing way without both trading Scuderi and Toronto retaining. This is just not gonna happen, boys.

https://www.hockeyscap.com/armchair-gm/team/6913

Most of us recognize Kessel is a very good offensive player. We also recognize we need multiple players to make this team a legit contender. Kessel's cap hit does not work for the Pens.

If we're talking about Maatta, I'm not sure Kessel is the best player in the deal. It's not meant to offend Kessel, it's just we think Maatta is a special player. The kid is a future star at both ends of the ice. Just needs to stay healthy.
- madmike71

wow .

to call maatta better than a 27 year old with five 30+ goal seasons is borderline crazy.
A good young player he is, but might be better to wait until he has a few good years under his belt.

Frolik is gonna command 5 million plus. for a solid 40 pts 2nd-3rd line tweener, that is a lot of cash.

Personally I don't think Pittsburgh will be willing to give up what it takes to get phil.
I would be curious to see what kessel actually can do with a legit #1 center though, after years of stajan/connolly/bozak.
- GardinerExpress

I'd rather give Frolik the 5mil and keep our assets. I think Geno could turn him into a 30 goal scorer.

Alright, it took me forever to figure out how to make this work with the cap and it only works with a full Scuderi dump or if Toronto retains Kessel's salary. And that's just for this year. With Perron, Maatta, and the two Russians all needing raises, there's just no (frank)ing way without both trading Scuderi and Toronto retaining. This is just not gonna happen, boys.

https://www.hockeyscap.com/armchair-gm/team/6913
- Victoro311

add to the fact that toronto has little interest in retaining, and even less interest in taking scuderi's garbage contract, and doesnt look likely.

I saw a proposal of Sutter and Dumoulin for Kessel (1.25 retained)...like the blogger stated, the leafs don't HAVE to move Kessel.

Frolik is gonna command 5 million plus. for a solid 40 pts 2nd-3rd line tweener, that is a lot of cash.

Personally I don't think Pittsburgh will be willing to give up what it takes to get phil.
I would be curious to see what kessel actually can do with a legit #1 center though, after years of stajan/connolly/bozak.
- GardinerExpress

UMMM ... Frolik is a solid defensive forward (Phill isn't) who has a lot of skill and talent, but has never had a good center to play with. I think that solid 40 turns into low 60s at worst. 5 million might be a lot, but its not 8 and we aren't giving up assets to sign him. So ... I'd rather have Frolik. It's not close either.

add to the fact that toronto has little interest in retaining, and even less interest in taking scuderi's garbage contract, and doesnt look likely.

I saw a proposal of Sutter and Dumoulin for Kessel (1.25 retained)...like the blogger stated, the leafs don't HAVE to move Kessel.
- GardinerExpress

That's why I'm saying its not happening. We're probably not moving Scuderi, especially with nothing retained, and I doubt Toronto holds on to salary. I wasted a lot of my time trying to make a team that I thought was strong enough to contend with Kessel.

As I said I'm conflicted, I'm a fan of both teams. I really think Kessel could be a steal for the Pens because how the Toronto media loves to run players out of town all the while lowering his value. If Toronto is going to give Kessel away why not to my second favorite team.

UMMM ... Frolik is a solid defensive forward (Phill isn't) who has a lot of skill and talent, but has never had a good center to play with. I think that solid 40 turns into low 60s at worst. 5 million might be a lot, but its not 8 and we aren't giving up assets to sign him. So ...
- Oneonta Penguin

Frolik got a lot of time in the top 6 last year, with little/scheifele. A little much to expect
60+ at worst from a guy who has a career high of 45 in 8 seasons.

Kunitz/Perron show that a guy is not a lock to do well just because they play with crosby or malkin

That's why I'm saying its not happening. We're probably not moving Scuderi, especially with nothing retained, and I doubt Toronto holds on to salary. I wasted a lot of my time trying to make a team that I thought was strong enough to contend with Kessel.
- Victoro311

Crosby or Malkin with Kessel would be filthy. The guy is one of the top 10 scorers in the league playing with a #3 center.

but yeah pittsburgh doesnt make sense with their cap situation unless bother were interested in Kessel for letang

wow .

to call maatta better than a 27 year old with five 30+ goal seasons is borderline crazy.
A good young player he is, but might be better to wait until he has a few good years under his belt.
- GardinerExpress

I'm willing to wait rather than bring a pudgy dbag like Kessel to our roster. Guy will be going to his 3rd team for a reason.

wow .

to call maatta better than a 27 year old with five 30+ goal seasons is borderline crazy.
A good young player he is, but might be better to wait until he has a few good years under his belt.
- GardinerExpress

Is McDavid better than Kessel? Your logic says NO WAY!
Everyone in the world would take McDavid over Kessel! Do you understand NOW?

OH, AND gtfo and stfo