I can't believe we traded a 1st rd pick for Perron ... seems like a waste. He definitely hasn't stepped up to the plate. He looks like he plays scared. He is also not vocal enough. Too nice or something.

I'm really coming around to the idea of trading a forward for defensive help. The only issue is who to trade. I agree, this season the best idea is Perron. He doesn't mesh well with the Crosby-Kessel line and seems to have lost out to Plotnikov for Malkin's left. Perron is a good second liner/average first liner so he's worth more to us in a trade than taking a third line spot away from some guys that really look like they're going to produce this season (Dupuis and Bennett).

The problem comes moving forward: Kunitz is aging and should not be resigned. It would actually be smart to trade him for assets this coming offseason especially if he has a bounce back season. If we move on from both Kunitz and Perron, then our newly found great forward depth vanishes... Not to mention Pascal Dupuis' imminent end with us. I find it difficult to believe that we'll have good options in the UFA pool next two offseason to reload in the event we lose Perron, Kunitz, and Dupuis. I'd much rather try to find a way to trade Kunitz for d help since he's leaving soon anyways and retain Perron. A third line of Perron-XXX-Bennett could be really good moving forward.

And to whoever said Perron doesn't have much value but for a rental d man: Big Buff is a rental. I'm not even gonna touch the Buff subject. I've made it known how I feel about him but if we're good trade partners with Peg then he might be a necessary evil.

Trades trades and more trades
- rangerdanger94

"We need defensive help...trade a forward!"

2 months later

"We need offensive depth...trade a defenseman!"

I'm really coming around to the idea of trading a forward for defensive help. The only issue is who to trade. I agree, this season the best idea is Perron. He doesn't mesh well with the Crosby-Kessel line and seems to have lost out to Plotnikov for Malkin's left. Perron is a good second liner/average first liner so he's worth more to us in a trade than taking a third line spot away from some guys that really look like they're going to produce this season (Dupuis and Bennett).

The problem comes moving forward: Kunitz is aging and should not be resigned. It would actually be smart to trade him for assets this coming offseason especially if he has a bounce back season. If we move on from both Kunitz and Perron, then our newly found great forward depth vanishes... Not to mention Pascal Dupuis' imminent end with us. I find it difficult to believe that we'll have good options in the UFA pool next two offseason to reload in the event we lose Perron, Kunitz, and Dupuis. I'd much rather try to find a way to trade Kunitz for d help since he's leaving soon anyways and retain Perron. A third line of Perron-XXX-Bennett could be really good moving forward.

And to whoever said Perron doesn't have much value but for a rental d man: Big Buff is a rental. I'm not even gonna touch the Buff subject. I've made it known how I feel about him but if we're good trade partners with Peg then he might be a necessary evil.
- Victoro311

Winnipeg will ask for a lot more for Byfuglien...he could be THE deadline rental this year.

F SCUDS??? He is still a decent 5-7 guy ... well ... maybe 7-8 ... maybe a serviceable 9.
- chimpira

Much like me..... HEYYYOOOOO

For me its important that GMJR does not overreact and makes a solid hockey trade... ... Bottomline is the Pens have depth upfront... Moving Kunitz or Perron makes sense... It also frees up a space for Sprong to get minutes in the top 9 minutes for 9 games... (possibly more)

Perron, Scuds (50 percent retained) and a late pick for Buff would be great... but its a Pipe dream... I don't see the Jets making that deal and I don't see Scuds waving his no trade to go there...
- Brianandr1

I agree with that sentiment, for as much as I'm coming around to trading a forward for d, it's more so because with the emergence of Sprong we now have a log jam and the d could use bolstering, not so much because I'm panicked about the d. We haven't even seen the full NHL unit in action yet and we've got people jumping off bridges after our best offseason in recent memory. We're much closer to the cup than we were last season and we're leagues closer than we were two seasons ago. What we can't do is overpay for something we may not even need. We just need to let everything shake itself out.

Winnipeg will ask for a lot more for Byfuglien...he could be THE deadline rental this year.
- rangerdanger94

Good. So we have no choice but to stay away.

Winnipeg will ask for a lot more for Byfuglien...he could be THE deadline rental this year.
- rangerdanger94

Stamkos?

Stamkos?
- stowerkraut

Imagine

I agree with that sentiment, for as much as I'm coming around to trading a forward for d, it's more so because with the emergence of Sprong we now have a log jam and the d could use bolstering, not so much because I'm panicked about the d. We haven't even seen the full NHL unit in action yet and we've got people jumping off bridges after our best offseason in recent memory. We're much closer to the cup than we were last season and we're leagues closer than we were two seasons ago. What we can't do is overpay for something we may not even need. We just need to let everything shake itself out.
- Victoro311

If a good hockey trade is out there or someone gets waved that's worth our time... pull the trigger... otherwise patience... its a long way to the deadline

I can't believe we traded a 1st rd pick for Perron ... seems like a waste. He definitely hasn't stepped up to the plate. He looks like he plays scared. He is also not vocal enough. Too nice or something.
- chimpira

It's a contract year for Perron, It's very possible he gets back to the 30 goal level. If that happens, his stock will rise too. I hope Ruth waits 20 games to see exactly how things work out.

From watching the pre season, the only real conclusion I have is Pouliot needs time in the A.......as far as the young D goes.

Stamkos?
- stowerkraut

Hypothetically what would a contender pay for him? If the Bolts can't sign him chances are the Leafs will due to the cap pressure on other teams, so what would Stamkos get as a pure rental also taking into consideration his average playoffs last season?

Edit: there may have to be an injury to a top player that miraculously recovers just in time for playoffs - so we can say the Hawks are on board.

If a good hockey trade is out there or someone gets waved that's worth our time... pull the trigger... otherwise patience... its a long way to the deadline
- Brianandr1

I still think Clendening is going to grow and if Dumoulin will do just fine if he calms the (frank) down and plays the game. It just comes down to if one of those two or Pouliot can entrench themselves as Cole's partner by the deadline or not.

Imagine
- rangerdanger94

Kane +++ for Stamkos??????

Edit: disregard Kane's cap hit

Enter the Hawks fanz saying "Tampa should be the one with the +++"

I'm really coming around to the idea of trading a forward for defensive help. The only issue is who to trade. I agree, this season the best idea is Perron. He doesn't mesh well with the Crosby-Kessel line and seems to have lost out to Plotnikov for Malkin's left. Perron is a good second liner/average first liner so he's worth more to us in a trade than taking a third line spot away from some guys that really look like they're going to produce this season (Dupuis and Bennett).

The problem comes moving forward: Kunitz is aging and should not be resigned. It would actually be smart to trade him for assets this coming offseason especially if he has a bounce back season. If we move on from both Kunitz and Perron, then our newly found great forward depth vanishes... Not to mention Pascal Dupuis' imminent end with us. I find it difficult to believe that we'll have good options in the UFA pool next two offseason to reload in the event we lose Perron, Kunitz, and Dupuis. I'd much rather try to find a way to trade Kunitz for d help since he's leaving soon anyways and retain Perron. A third line of Perron-XXX-Bennett could be really good moving forward.

And to whoever said Perron doesn't have much value but for a rental d man: Big Buff is a rental. I'm not even gonna touch the Buff subject. I've made it known how I feel about him but if we're good trade partners with Peg then he might be a necessary evil.
- Victoro311

But Perron for Buff straight up wouldn't happen. Buff is worth more than that. So how much more do we need to give up to get the deal done? A conditional 4th or 3rd? A prospect? Haven't we all complained about give prospects for rental players enough? Why are we wanting to do it again?

I would prolly wait a month or two to evaluate how the kids play in the reg season... But I agree that gonchar should be let go sooner rather than later and pouliot should be starting in the ahl...

Cole Letang
Maatta Clendening
Dumoulin lovejoy
Erixon scuderi

That's the line up I would use... I think Cole and Clendening have had good camps so far... I'd give them a chance to see how they handle the full time role in the reg season... Thoughts?

Hypothetically what would a contender pay for him? If the Bolts can't sign him chances are the Leafs will due to the cap pressure on other teams, so what would Stamkos get as a pure rental also taking into consideration his average playoffs last season?
- Aussiepenguin

The farm. His playoffs last season will have little implications. I don't think very many contenders will have the pieces to trade for him. If I had to guess, he's either being traded to the leafs or not at all. I think there is a 90% chance he resigns. Something tells me the triplets wouldn't be as effective if other teams didn't have stammer to worry about and the Bolts know that.

I still think Clendening is going to grow and if Dumoulin will do just fine if he calms the (frank) down and plays the game. It just comes down to if one of those two or Pouliot can entrench themselves as Cole's partner by the deadline or not.
- Victoro311

Agree with this... and if it does not work trades will follow

I still think Clendening is going to grow and if Dumoulin will do just fine if he calms the (frank) down and plays the game. It just comes down to if one of those two or Pouliot can entrench themselves as Cole's partner by the deadline or not.
- Victoro311

Right behind you there!

I would prolly wait a month or two to evaluate how the kids play in the reg season... But I agree that gonchar should be let go sooner rather than later and pouliot should be starting in the ahl...

Cole Letang
Maatta Clendening
Dumoulin lovejoy
Erixon scuderi

That's the line up I would use... I think Cole and Clendening have had good camps so far... I'd give them a chance to see how they handle the full time role in the reg season... Thoughts?
- Kunit

Pretty on board with this. This is what I'd role out as well. I think if Dumoulin starts on the bottom pairing during regular season play that'll go a long way towards settling his stomach.

EDIT: oh never mind. I didn't see you had Letang-Maatta separated. I just don't think you can keep those two apart. They're too good.

But Perron for Buff straight up wouldn't happen. Buff is worth more than that. So how much more do we need to give up to get the deal done? A conditional 4th or 3rd? A prospect? Haven't we all complained about give prospects for rental players enough? Why are we wanting to do it again?
- Zac_O

Because 'someone' gave thevelvetfog the BIG RED BUTTON, & he pushed it.....twice....(frank)!

I mentioned Ryan Ellis before. I think he could be a great underrated player in Johnston's system. He played really well last playoffs when weber went down.

Perron+ to AZ for Michael Stone

Pretty on board with this. This is what I'd role out as well. I think if Dumoulin starts on the bottom pairing during regular season play that'll go a long way towards settling his stomach.

EDIT: oh never mind. I didn't see you had Letang-Maatta separated. I just don't think you can keep those two apart. They're too good.
- Victoro311

I'm ok with keeping them apart. Then bring them together in certain situations

Sprong for Merrill+2nd/3rd+maybe an AHL guy like Scarlett