Pretty great weekend for me all around. Penguins and Sixers clenched their division and conference respectively within hours of each other. Chelsea advanced to the Champions League final and beat Man City playing a B team squad, and Dortmund retook control of their own destiny to qualify for Champions League. Things are looking way up. Looking forward to crashing down soon.
- Victoro311

To me the only real disappointment would be if the Pens don't make it out of the first round. Passed that, they're playing with house money and I'm good with whatever comes next.

McCann had a very good season, he picked the team up at the end of the year on the power play when Malkin went down. He was the player most wanted to trade to bring in a top 6 winger. Probably the best trade not made...
- PENS1989

True. I remember a lot of people wanting to trade him. Now many of those same people wouldn't dream of leaving him off their protection lists.

True. I remember a lot of people wanting to trade him. Now many of those same people wouldn't dream of leaving him off their protection lists.
- Tojo.

I definitely remember you and I being on the McCann at 3C train prior to the season starting.

In a perfect-ish world we'd keep Petts allowing POJ a full season on the third pair to develop. Here's what I put together on capfriendly. Mind you, part of what I did is in the expectation that Hex will get one or two 'truculent' players lol.





- Rinosaur

Can you imaging losing a guy to the expansion draft less then two years after giving up a 1st and a top prospect to get him?

Can you imaging losing a guy to the expansion draft less then two years after giving up a 1st and a top prospect to get him?
- stevens87

Salary caps are a hell of a thing.

Salary caps are a hell of a thing.
- Rinosaur

It's more then just that! If he was doing really well, they wouldn't mind losing someone else. Problem is he hasn't live up to the expectations.

It's more then just that! If he was doing really well, they wouldn't mind losing someone else. Problem is he hasn't live up to the expectations.
- stevens87

The expansion draft + salary cap makes things very complicated. I think Zucker has been MUCH better the last few games and don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Zucker, but what he brings vs. what he costs may not work out for the Pens. Sucks they have gave up so much to get him, but plenty of teams will be in similar situations.

Can you imaging losing a guy to the expansion draft less then two years after giving up a 1st and a top prospect to get him?
- stevens87

I agree, but it also shows the progress of guys like McCann and Blueger.

I still think you can find a team to grab Zucker. Some team surely has less than the # of forwards you can protect and would pay something for Zucker. He still has value, it wouldnt be anything special... but it'd be nice to expose a list of players to Seattle where Matheson is one of the few decent options for them.

The expansion draft + salary cap makes things very complicated. I think Zucker has been MUCH better the last few games and don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Zucker, but what he brings vs. what he costs may not work out for the Pens. Sucks they have gave up so much to get him, but plenty of teams will be in similar situations.
- Rinosaur

I think pre-covid with an escalating cap, Zucker locked up for 5ish million for 3 years is really good value

The thing that changed is obviously, flat cap and guys out there taking less $$ that are equal to or better than Zucker

I agree if we can move off of him (because we're likely to lose at least 1 decent player regardless) he shouldn't be too difficult to replace with the 5 Million we'd be saving

I agree, but it also shows the progress of guys like McCann and Blueger.

I still think you can find a team to grab Zucker. Some team surely has less than the # of forwards you can protect and would pay something for Zucker. He still has value, it wouldnt be anything special... but it'd be nice to expose a list of players to Seattle where Matheson is one of the few decent options for them.
- SuperHenderson13

Assuming the 7 protected are Sid, Geno, Jake, Kap, McCann, Rust and Blueger. I think Zucker and Pettersson are tradeable, but you trade those guys, you lose ZAR or Tanev or Carter. So, the return you get for Zucker or Petts has to be worth what you'd then be losing instead

It's likely Hex has already talked to Francis and has an idea of what he's looking for and which sacrificial lamb will be retained so Seattle can take him in the draft. I don't think expansion teams want players with huge term, so I don't see Matheson as a real possibility

Personally I value Carter over Blueger but hope Seattle takes Zucker

If I'm Seattle I take Tanev over Zucker

Hex likely moves Pettersson because he will net the highest return of pick/prospect

Assuming the 7 protected are Sid, Geno, Jake, Kap, McCann, Rust and Blueger. I think Zucker and Pettersson are tradeable, but you trade those guys, you lose ZAR or Tanev or Carter. So, the return you get for Zucker or Petts has to be worth what you'd then be losing instead

It's likely Hex has already talked to Francis and has an idea of what he's looking for and which sacrificial lamb will be retained so Seattle can take him in the draft. I don't think expansion teams want players with huge term, so I don't see Matheson as a real possibility

Personally I value Carter over Blueger but hope Seattle takes Zucker

If I'm Seattle I take Tanev over Zucker

Hex likely moves Pettersson because he will net the highest return of pick/prospect
- TheGame316

I believe that the rule is that either eight skaters plus a goalie, or seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie can be protected. UFAs, RFAs and ELCs do not need to be protected, which is why Marino is safe. Using the 7-3-1 model, I expect the team to protect Malkin, Crosby, Guentzel, Rust, Kapanen, Carter and McCann (seven), Letang, Dumoulin and Petterson (three) and Jarry. If Seattle were to sign one of our RFAs or UFAs within the 48-hour window they're given, then we can't lose anyone in the expansion draft.

So, I would think that the most likely roster players for us to lose are Zucker, Matheson, Tanev or DeSmith.

I believe that the rule is that either eight skaters plus a goalie, or seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie can be protected. UFAs, RFAs and ELCs do not need to be protected, which is why Marino is safe. Using the 7-3-1 model, I expect the team to protect Malkin, Crosby, Guentzel, Rust, Kapanen, Carter and McCann (seven), Letang, Dumoulin and Petterson (three) and Jarry. If Seattle were to sign one of our RFAs or UFAs within the 48-hour window they're given, then we can't lose anyone in the expansion draft.

So, I would think that the most likely roster players for us to lose are Zucker, Matheson, Tanev or DeSmith.
- Florida Penguin

Definitely not protecting Carter over Blueger.

I really hope someone else plays and bears the islanders. All I’m saying.

If Tanev is exposed that is the penguin they will take. He’s also the hardest to replace. I’d protect Tanev.

I believe that the rule is that either eight skaters plus a goalie, or seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie can be protected. UFAs, RFAs and ELCs do not need to be protected, which is why Marino is safe. Using the 7-3-1 model, I expect the team to protect Malkin, Crosby, Guentzel, Rust, Kapanen, Carter and McCann (seven), Letang, Dumoulin and Petterson (three) and Jarry. If Seattle were to sign one of our RFAs or UFAs within the 48-hour window they're given, then we can't lose anyone in the expansion draft.

So, I would think that the most likely roster players for us to lose are Zucker, Matheson, Tanev or DeSmith.
- Florida Penguin

Blueger is the guy you lose in your scenario. Sullivan is probably the only guy in the organization that doesn't see his potential and would expose him.

Blueger is the guy you lose in your scenario. Sullivan is probably the only guy in the organization that doesn't see his potential and would expose him.
- Thunderbolt

Well he's turning 27 in August...so pretty close to ceiling I would imagine, so not sure about potential, but I dont want to lose him. I think he's awesome in the bottom 6.

In a perfect-ish world we'd keep Petts allowing POJ a full season on the third pair to develop. Here's what I put together on capfriendly. Mind you, part of what I did is in the expectation that Hex will get one or two 'truculent' players lol.





- Rinosaur

I guess I'll give thia a couple comments.

Hardest thing to see is the Matheson trade. I know AZ needs defensemen and has cap space so it's a good target but still think he's hard to move. But I'd just change Pettersson.

Like that Ceci fits in.

No idea what Foligno gets, like the one year target with the nightmare the following off-season brings.

Well he's turning 27 in August...so pretty close to ceiling I would imagine, so not sure about potential, but I dont want to lose him. I think he's awesome in the bottom 6.
- MattStrat

This. Blueger is a nice depth center, but he's not this young player with a ton of upside. Might even go unclaimed if he wasn't protected as a team might value say ZAR's size instead.

If we're talking next year's roster already, might want to leave some easy ways to create cap space. Or just go all in on one last push because this team is losing significant pieces. Remember, still likely no cap raises.

UFAs: Malkin, Letang, Rust, Carter, DeSmith, Lafferty, Ruhwedel, Riikola

RFAs: McCann, Kapanen, POJ, Friedman

Well he's turning 27 in August...so pretty close to ceiling I would imagine, so not sure about potential, but I dont want to lose him. I think he's awesome in the bottom 6.
- MattStrat

Even assuming he’s at his peak of play right now, he’s been playing at a legitimate middle six two way forward level on extremely hard deployment with two common line mates that aren’t exactly offensive dynamos. IMO he’s definitely more valuable to the team than Zucker due to cap hit and importance of position. I think a McCann argument is reasonable since he’s taken a leap this year, is younger (I think?), is also cheap, and can also play center.

This. Blueger is a nice depth center, but he's not this young player with a ton of upside. Might even go unclaimed if he wasn't protected as a team might value say ZAR's size instead.
- Tojo.

I get the feeling Blueger is very undervalued and underappreciated outside of Pittsburgh, definitely dont think its a lock he'd be taken if not protected.

Even assuming he’s at his peak of play right now, he’s been playing at a legitimate middle six two way forward level on extremely hard deployment with two common line mates that aren’t exactly offensive dynamos. IMO he’s definitely more valuable to the team than Zucker due to cap hit and importance of position. I think a McCann argument is reasonable since he’s taken a leap this year, is younger (I think?), is also cheap, and can also play center.
- Victoro311

I agree with all of that.

Blueger is the guy you lose in your scenario. Sullivan is probably the only guy in the organization that doesn't see his potential and would expose him.
- Thunderbolt

Blueger is a RFA and, therefore, can't be protected. As an RFA, Seattle would have the opportunity to sign him during the 48-hour window that they are afforded. If the Pens sign Blueger before the expansion draft, then he would have to be protected - if then Pens want to keep him.

Definitely not protecting Carter over Blueger.
- j.boyd919

Don't have to. Same with ZAR, Freddie, ERod and Ceci. (I'm not even including Jank or Scevior in this.) All are either UFAs or RFAs and can't be protected unless they're signed first. Hextall is likely to have an informal agreement with Francis in place to protect any RFAs or UFAs that he wants to re-sign. I don't think it will be formal trade, just a gentlemen's agreement as to we'll expose and who we won't.

Also, I would be shocked if Hextall didn't tell Carter, before the trade, that he would be protected in order to get him to leave L.A. If I were Carter, I would have insisted on such an assurance.

Blueger is a RFA and, therefore, can't be protected. As an RFA, Seattle would have the opportunity to sign him during the 48-hour window that they are afforded. If the Pens sign Blueger before the expansion draft, then he would have to be protected - if then Pens want to keep him.
- Florida Penguin

I don’t think that’s true. In the case of UFA’s, they are actually technically exposed by a team. There’s a certain window Seattle has before the expansion draft to talk to pending UFAs and try to work out a contract. If they reach an agreement with a UFA, then that’s their pick from that team. We just don’t see that happening because there’s no upside for the expansion team. If they come to an agreement with a UFA, then they can just wait until the normal UFA period and take someone else from the team.

So yes, Seattle can take pending free agents in the expansion draft. It’s just that there’s no incentive to take UFAs. Either you have an agreement and can wait to make it official while taking a different piece, or there’s no agreement and you just gassed a pick on a guy that will immediately walk. There’s plenty of reason to pick an RFA since teams in the league don’t offer sheet.