At the best of times Ryan Wilson is not reliable for his comments. Now, he has totally screwed up in his thinking. With Malkin on LTIR for half the season, Pens definitely need a reliable C. hence Bluegar signing and protection probably from Kraken. Carter is not a choice for Francis. He will take ZAR, Zucker or Pettersson

Why would Seattle take Jeff Carter when in all likelihood he would just retire?

Even if he didn't, why take a 36 year old player who will be on your roster for half a season and then traded for a 3rd or 4th round pick? I see no reason to protect Carter.

Why now for the deal?

That was my first thought.

from NHL

The Kraken also have an exclusive window from July 18-21 to interview and potentially sign pending free agents who were left unprotected in the expansion draft. If they sign a player in that window it counts as their pick from that players' former team.

So not signing would have allowed the Kraken to talk to Teddy about signing as an uncompensated RFA that counted as the Penguin draft sacrifice. So I don't see an advantage to delaying.

Hextall already knows who Francis is going to take so he is able to move forward with his offseason business without wondering

It isn't the entry draft where you need to keep things quiet so that you can get your guy

Hextall keeps his word by not trading that player, and Francis keeps his word by taking that player in the draft

Vegas did the same thing. McPhee called it "The Pact"

Why would Seattle take Jeff Carter when in all likelihood he would just retire?

Even if he didn't, why take a 36 year old player who will be on your roster for half a season and then traded for a 3rd or 4th round pick? I see no reason to protect Carter.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The thought is for Francis to flip him at the deadline but I agree with you that it’s absurdly unlikely especially since the Vegas expansion draft had the Knights competitive right out the gate I doubt Francis would take a guy with a sellers’ mentality.

That said, Tojo got me paranoid.

The thought is for Francis to flip him at the deadline but I agree with you that it’s absurdly unlikely especially since the Vegas expansion draft had the Knights competitive right out the gate I doubt Francis would take a guy with a sellers’ mentality.

That said, Tojo got me paranoid.
- Victoro311

A respected former player like Francis is VERY LIKELY to respect a veteran like Carter and not upend his world for a potential quick flip 3rd at the trade deadline , even if he was left unprotected

When it's real people and real life, it doesn't go down like in our fantasy leagues when we try to sneak a guy through waivers and then jump in and screw over our competition

I'll say it again. The player being chosen has already been worked out. Hex can pretty much protect whoever he wants and that won't change

A respected former player like Francis is VERY LIKELY to respect a veteran like Carter and not upend his world for a potential quick flip 3rd at the trade deadline , even if he was left unprotected

When it's real people and real life, it doesn't go down like in our fantasy leagues when we try to sneak a guy through waivers and then jump in and screw over our competition

I'll say it again. The player being chosen has already been worked out. Hex can pretty much protect whoever he wants and that won't change
- TheGame316

Which is why I don’t think it’s Carter. I’m just relaying Tojo’s points.

A respected former player like Francis is VERY LIKELY to respect a veteran like Carter and not upend his world for a potential quick flip 3rd at the trade deadline , even if he was left unprotected

When it's real people and real life, it doesn't go down like in our fantasy leagues when we try to sneak a guy through waivers and then jump in and screw over our competition

I'll say it again. The player being chosen has already been worked out. Hex can pretty much protect whoever he wants and that won't change
- TheGame316

I think you underestimate how cutthroat this business is.

I think you underestimate how cutthroat this business is.
- kfinl170

If it was cutthroat we'd see a lot more offer sheets....

From Rossi:

Rob Rossi
@Real_RobRossi
·
27m
GM Ron Hextall said current plan is for coach Mike Sullivan's staff to remain intact. Also, a hockey ops hire will be made to replace departed Sam Ventura, who took a job with Sabres. That hire will handle Penguins' salary-cap, CBA-dealings, etc.

Rob Rossi
@Real_RobRossi
·
35m
GM Ron Hextall said he does not expect to sign any more players before NHL rosters are frozen for expansion draft.
Hextall also said Penguins would go with protecting 7 forwards/3 defensemen/1 goalie. No players were asked to waive clauses.

Which is why I don’t think it’s Carter. I’m just relaying Tojo’s points.
- Victoro311

Actually what I said is they could flip him right away. They'll draft more players then they have roster spots, so they need to trade a few right away just like Vegas did.

But if they want to try competing, getting a dirt cheap center wouldn't hurt.

In truth, I have no idea what Seattle will do. For one I don't know who will be available. For another I assume they will be offered a lot of side deals from teams looking to create cap space. If they picked up a couple high priced LWs in side deals, why would Zucker be a slam dunk?

(I do think Zucker is most likely, just not the guaranteed pick)

That was my first thought.

from NHL


So not signing would have allowed the Kraken to talk to Teddy about signing as an uncompensated RFA that counted as the Penguin draft sacrifice. So I don't see an advantage to delaying.
- TartanBill

Great point. I didn't follow the logic of how signing Blueger meant they planned to protect him. And you just provided a great reason for how signing him keeps them from even talking to him before the draft if he's left unprotected.

I know the focus for the Pens for the past 5+ years has been the short term but all good GM's should also have intermediate and long term plans. Blueger is young and has upside potential and it is also possible that the Pens may be preparing him for an eventual 3C role, after this coming season if not a few seasons from now. After this season they will probably lose Carter and might have to trade McCann for cap space (he will also be an RFA after this season) if he is not taken in the expansion draft.

Great point. I didn't follow the logic of how signing Blueger meant they planned to protect him. And you just provided a great reason for how signing him keeps them from even talking to him before the draft if he's left unprotected.
- Tojo.

Did that include RFAs? I thought it was only UFAs.

I know the focus for the Pens for the past 5+ years has been the short term but all good GM's should also have intermediate and long term plans. Blueger is young and has upside potential and it is also possible that the Pens may be preparing him for an eventual 3C role, after this coming season if not a few seasons from now. After this season they will probably lose Carter and might have to trade McCann for cap space (he will also be an RFA after this season) if he is not taken in the expansion draft.
- PghPens668771

Bleuger is 26, that's not exactly young in the hockey world, but I do agree he's likely the 3C after Carter goes.

No idea Kevin McGran is from The Star, but he's reporting one of the teams with interest in Hyman is the Pens, but Hyman would stay in TOR for $5Mx8 and a full NMC, but he's already received offers north of there.

Did that include RFAs? I thought it was only UFAs.
- j.boyd919

No, it is both. If they are eligible for the expansion draft and go unprotected Seattle can strike a deal with anyone RFA or UFA. They can also give them an 8 year deal as if they were their own free agent. (highly unlikely but an option)

No idea Kevin McGran is from The Star, but he's reporting one of the teams with interest in Hyman is the Pens, but Hyman would stay in TOR for $5Mx8 and a full NMC, but he's already received offers north of there.
- Rinosaur

An 8 year deal for a 29 year old? Hold up, let's sit this one out.

No idea Kevin McGran is from The Star, but he's reporting one of the teams with interest in Hyman is the Pens, but Hyman would stay in TOR for $5Mx8 and a full NMC, but he's already received offers north of there.
- Rinosaur

He’s received offers north of that?

No idea Kevin McGran is from The Star, but he's reporting one of the teams with interest in Hyman is the Pens, but Hyman would stay in TOR for $5Mx8 and a full NMC, but he's already received offers north of there.
- Rinosaur

That's gonna be a no from me dog. That has buyout written all over it. I'd rather go after Saad or Coleman (depending on their contract demands of course).

If that report is true, that means we plan on shedding some salary.

He’s received offers north of that?
- Victoro311

That's what was reported, but they didn't say whether being "north" meant salary or term, but I can't imagine anyone offered more than eight years.

An 8 year deal for a 29 year old? Hold up, let's sit this one out.
- burgh4life87

I mean, part of me doesn't care about term from any player the Pens sign since this window probably couldn't last more than another two years, but this just seems like a silly deal if this is true.

Why would the Pens not protect 8 forwards, and 2 defenseman? Sounds silly but ...do they see Matheson as a quality defensive man?

Why would the Pens not protect 8 forwards, and 2 defenseman? Sounds silly but ...do they see Matheson as a quality defensive man?
- nateca444

That’s not allowed.

That's what was reported, but they didn't say whether being "north" meant salary or term, but I can't imagine anyone offered more than eight years.
- Rinosaur

He’s a reporter from Toronto star. Covers the leafs etc. He meant salary as you can’t go longer then 8 year term.