Trouba would be an upgrade over Schultz. Problem is he wants to be paid like a #1, and he's not that. That and Winnipeg wants a ton for him.
- Tojo.

Anything of value the Pens have require them waiving a NTC...not gonna happen to Peg.

I'm fully convinced Maatta will be traded to Chicago for absolutely nothing.
- burgh4life87

I’m thinking it’ll be Detroit but I agree that the only return will be the cap space created. Think back to the Michalek trade to AZ for an example.

Jesse Marshall was just commenting on Twitter today about how all the people who think Schultz can step in for Letang are ignoring he hasn't been nearly as good the past two years as he was his last contract year. He had the team's best PDO by far 2 seasons ago that masked his possession numbers going from great to bad. This year he was a disaster though he was probably never healthy.

I have no idea what to expect from him year to year, but Letang always drives play.
- Tojo.

Schultz is best in a sheltered role, that's pretty much the jist of it. I like Schultz and he's fun to watch play but he definitely is not a no. 1 and he's definitely not one of those guys who can really prop a 2nd pairing up. He needs a steady presence next to him to help out.

I’m thinking it’ll be Detroit but I agree that the only return will be the cap space created. Think back to the Michalek trade to AZ for an example.
- Za Warudo

I can't see what Yzerman would want with Maatta... did you see the defense he constructed in Tampa? They went the Boston College route and went giant defensemen with speedy forwards.

I’m thinking it’ll be Detroit but I agree that the only return will be the cap space created. Think back to the Michalek trade to AZ for an example.
- Za Warudo

Maatta and hornqvist for Athanasiou and a 5th

I can't see what Yzerman would want with Maatta... did you see the defense he constructed in Tampa? They went the Boston College route and went giant defensemen with speedy forwards.
- j.boyd919

Yzerman is going to look for value though. Maata might not fit his prototype but the D in Detroit is really bad. Maata would be an upgrade on what they have and would come very cheap.

I think he will join Shero in NJ but I don't think Detroit would be totally out of the question.

Schultz is best in a sheltered role, that's pretty much the jist of it. I like Schultz and he's fun to watch play but he definitely is not a no. 1 and he's definitely not one of those guys who can really prop a 2nd pairing up. He needs a steady presence next to him to help out.
- j.boyd919

I can agree with all that. You can say a lot of the same about Kessel: fun to watch, explosive offensively, but somebody else is going to have to get him the puck. Maatta is plenty responsible, but doesn't really win a lot of puck battles.

Malkin isn't as physically dominant as he once was, yet he was arguably the leagues most dominant player the second half of last year when he was surrounded with Hagelin and Hornqvist who did all that work for him. To be dominant again, I think they need to do more for Malkin than just flip JJ for Maatta.

At work on 3.25 hours sleep because of....The Raptors...what a game. Didnt start until 10:30pm my time zzzzz. Ive watched more basketball the past few months or so than the 10 previous years combined I think haha.

Exactly. It's ridiculous. Schultz is going to get 7 on his next contract lol whos better? Schultz or Letang? Hmmmmmm
- j.boyd919

Hmmm... I don't know... I think Schultz will have to have one HELL of a season this year to get to 7. If he has another season similar to last year, he may have a hard time staying at 5. He is RH, but sure gets hurt A LOT.

At work on 3.25 hours sleep because of....The Raptors...what a game. Didnt start until 10:30pm my time zzzzz. Ive watched more basketball the past few months or so than the 10 previous years combined I think haha.
- MattStrat

Probably because your Pens got broomed so early. Gotta love your dedication.

Probably because your Pens got broomed so early. Gotta love your dedication.
- Cousinskrid

Definitely a factor hahah. I would of still watched the Raps this year if the games from a Pens run didnt overlap with them. I figured with having the 2nd best record in the league and Lebron out of the East they had a great chance to make the finals, never thought they'd take it all down though. Its crazy how good the Warriors are even when missing someone like KD.

Yzerman is going to look for value though. Maata might not fit his prototype but the D in Detroit is really bad. Maata would be an upgrade on what they have and would come very cheap.
- MacPatty

This was my thinking as well. Red Wings have only five defensemen under contract next year, also, and finally have some cap space.

Hornqvist has to be the easiest piece to cut salary. I’m sure there is a team out there that views his face washes as leadership and he is a good hockey player.

Niskanen to PHI for Gudas with Philly retaining 30% of Gudas's salary.

I know they needed to dump him, but is that really the best the Caps could do for Niskanen, and to a division rival?

Niskanen to PHI for Gudas with Philly retaining 30% of Gudas's salary.

I know they needed to dump him, but is that really the best the Caps could do for Niskanen, and to a division rival?
- Tojo.

That was a weird trade to wake up to

Niskanen to PHI for Gudas with Philly retaining 30% of Gudas's salary.

I know they needed to dump him, but is that really the best the Caps could do for Niskanen, and to a division rival?
- Tojo.

I love this part of the offseason...right after the cup is won, through the draft and into July 1st.

Niskanen to Gudas is a downgrade IMO. Nice work by the Flyers though.

EDIT: wait a minute....how many years does Gudas have left? 1 left for Niskanen?

Niskanen to PHI for Gudas with Philly retaining 30% of Gudas's salary.

I know they needed to dump him, but is that really the best the Caps could do for Niskanen, and to a division rival?
- Tojo.

Yeah... Has Nisky's value fallen that far? I'd take him in a heartbeat over Maatta, Guddy or JJ.

Hornqvist has to be the easiest piece to cut salary. I’m sure there is a team out there that views his face washes as leadership and he is a good hockey player.
- Grinder47

Problem is his NTC. I'd part ways with him if we can't clear Jacko's salary

Niskanen to PHI for Gudas with Philly retaining 30% of Gudas's salary.

I know they needed to dump him, but is that really the best the Caps could do for Niskanen, and to a division rival?
- Tojo.

I think trading to a division rival is mostly a fan made up thing. Teams trade within the division all the time.

Also.. Gudas is actually a solid defenseman when he’s not pulling dirty poop.

I love this part of the offseason...right after the cup is won, through the draft and into July 1st.

Niskanen to Gudas is a downgrade IMO. Nice work by the Flyers though.

EDIT: wait a minute....how many years does Gudas have left? 1 left for Niskanen?
- MattStrat

Gudas is a Ufa after this year
Nisky has 2 years left

Flyers fans seem to not like this Niskanen trade. I feel like it’s a great move, and I don’t even think agudas is bad.

Hornqvist has to be the easiest piece to cut salary. I’m sure there is a team out there that views his face washes as leadership and he is a good hockey player.
- Grinder47

Yohe thinks that management views him as one of the non-complacent players and has no interest in moving him. Given his full NTC, I don’t see him going anywhere even though I agree with you he’d be one of the first people I’d look at to trade.

Flyers fans seem to not like this Niskanen trade. I feel like it’s a great move, and I don’t even think agudas is bad.
- Victoro311

Well the flyers are retaining salary on Gudas and paying Niskanen 5.75 mil for 25 points a season. It’s really not great but I don’t think it’s terrible either. Retaining on Gudas is weird since he’s already cheap. The caps definitely made it in this deal.

Well the flyers are retaining salary on Gudas and paying Niskanen 5.75 mil for 25 points a season. It’s really not great but I don’t think it’s terrible either. Retaining on Gudas is weird since he’s already cheap. The caps definitely made it in this deal.
- j.boyd919

Talking to people I didn’t realize Niskanen fell off a cliff this year in terms of performance and production. Definitely explains the outrage. A year ago this trade should be good.

Here waiting for a cap dump from the Pens side (Hopefully not Määttä)