Supposedly, the NHL doesn't like trades/moves to during the cup. They don't want anything distracting from the game. I guess the GM's are saying eff that.

I think were stuck with Graves, but Smith should definitely have a market. Like others were saying, it's a little intriguing with it being a contract year, but I wouldn't take the chance. If they find a destination, they should take it. Find somebody that wants to be here.
- madmike71

Smith will be an easy trade I expect. Might not get a ton back for him and it might be something that drags out in the summer as teams go for the big prizes first.

There are options for moving Graves, not sure what it will cost or if we will just take a bad contract in return.

St Louis - there are issues between them and Krug, tried to trade him to Philly and he rejected. I think I deal with Graves going for Krug could make sense for both parties. I don't know if we could handle a $6.5M cap hit for a 2/3 pair defenceman but he would at least be a driver for the 2nd PP and a guy who can move the puck on the 3rd pair.

Utah has ZERO defencemen under contract for next season. Doesnt mean they should want to take Graves but they have positional need and cap space.

Now that Jersey has moved Bahl, would they want to re-unite with Graves who did pretty well in their system? They obviously didnt want him at the value the Pens signed him for but I wonder if you offered them Smith 1/2 retained along with Graves that would be something they would jump at. They need to be all in and Smith would be a really nice complimentary piece to their top 9.

Smith will be an easy trade I expect. Might not get a ton back for him and it might be something that drags out in the summer as teams go for the big prizes first.

There are options for moving Graves, not sure what it will cost or if we will just take a bad contract in return.

St Louis - there are issues between them and Krug, tried to trade him to Philly and he rejected. I think I deal with Graves going for Krug could make sense for both parties. I don't know if we could handle a $6.5M cap hit for a 2/3 pair defenceman but he would at least be a driver for the 2nd PP and a guy who can move the puck on the 3rd pair.

Utah has ZERO defencemen under contract for next season. Doesnt mean they should want to take Graves but they have positional need and cap space.

Now that Jersey has moved Bahl, would they want to re-unite with Graves who did pretty well in their system? They obviously didnt want him at the value the Pens signed him for but I wonder if you offered them Smith 1/2 retained along with Graves that would be something they would jump at. They need to be all in and Smith would be a really nice complimentary piece to their top 9.
- MacPatty

Different system, Graves was there 3 coaches ago under Lindy Ruff. With Keafe going there, I'd assume he's going to overhaul their system.

Different system, Graves was there 3 coaches ago under Lindy Ruff. With Keafe going there, I'd assume he's going to overhaul their system.
- j.boyd919

With a healthy Dougie for the season, new coach and a more competent goalie I expect them to have more standings points this coming season....which isnt good news for the Pens.

I think it’s clear Macdonald is the future coach. Spend a few years in WBS and then promoted when the team goes full rebuild (obviously if Macdonald has solid results with WBS).
- drummer829

A few years? Wouldn't shock me if he's in Pittsburgh by December.

Smith will be an easy trade I expect. Might not get a ton back for him and it might be something that drags out in the summer as teams go for the big prizes first.

There are options for moving Graves, not sure what it will cost or if we will just take a bad contract in return.

St Louis - there are issues between them and Krug, tried to trade him to Philly and he rejected. I think I deal with Graves going for Krug could make sense for both parties. I don't know if we could handle a $6.5M cap hit for a 2/3 pair defenceman but he would at least be a driver for the 2nd PP and a guy who can move the puck on the 3rd pair.

Utah has ZERO defencemen under contract for next season. Doesnt mean they should want to take Graves but they have positional need and cap space.

Now that Jersey has moved Bahl, would they want to re-unite with Graves who did pretty well in their system? They obviously didnt want him at the value the Pens signed him for but I wonder if you offered them Smith 1/2 retained along with Graves that would be something they would jump at. They need to be all in and Smith would be a really nice complimentary piece to their top 9.
- MacPatty

Don’t see why NJ would want an expensive 3LD like Graves.

With a healthy Dougie for the season, new coach and a more competent goalie I expect them to have more standings points this coming season....which isnt good news for the Pens.
- MattStrat

Plus the growth from Hughes and Nemec. NJ could be elite.

I am pretty sure these two played together for a short period back in the day. Entirely possible they have a friendly relationship and Grier has an IOU from Drury in his back pocket.

Otherwise, yeah... doesnt make a ton of sense but while the contract isnt good, I agree with the strategy of bringing in some good vets to help the younger guys with their break in to the NHL.
- MacPatty

I get the desire to bring in some vets to mentor their young players, and the need to get to the cap floor, but they should've got a draft pick back for taking on that contract.

I get the desire to bring in some vets to mentor their young players, and the need to get to the cap floor, but they should've got a draft pick back for taking on that contract.
- MickV

I guess Goodrow had SJ on his no trade list, so they just said F you. No idea why Grier would take on that contract for nothing when the player already made it clear that they didnt want to play there. Either Grier has a sneaky move up his sleeve or he is even worse at this than we all thought.

I expect that come draft time, the NYR will trade down their 1st round pick to San Jose for their 2nd rounder and a mid pick or something like that. They just wont make it super obvious and will wait a bit I would assume.

Don’t see why NJ would want an expensive 3LD like Graves.
- Feds91Stammer

I don't either but if I were them, I would have just kept Bahl and traded their first next year to us for Jarry

A few years? Wouldn't shock me if he's in Pittsburgh by December.
- greenyone

I think he was brought in because they think he can work with the young guys long term in WBS. He has never even coached at the AHL level, zero chance he is their guy if they fire Sully.

I think he was brought in because they think he can work with the young guys long term in WBS. He has never even coached at the AHL level, zero chance he is their guy if they fire Sully.
- MacPatty

Doesn't matter, anyway. Not a chance Sully is fired in December no matter how they're doing haha.

A few years? Wouldn't shock me if he's in Pittsburgh by December.
- greenyone

Pens aren't going to fire the US Olympic coach. He's here for 2 more years minimum.

hmmm...I dont know... he's RFA and he's an Islander...doubt he ends up a Penguin even if Dubas has interest at all. His qualifying offer is only $874,125....pretty cheap.


https://thehockeynews.com...em_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

You're talking in hindsight. When that trade went down those players were expected to be a bit more than warm bodies. Future injury problems aren't known for anyone not even Vilardi an 11th overall pick, Kupari was a 20th overall pick and Iafallo, a stud out of NCAA that was averaging around 15 goals a season...then there's a 2nd round pick which has value. Everyone and their mom not only knew PLD was a f'n idiot but also that contract was horrible. So yeah, horrible asset management.
- MattStrat

I don't think anything he said is hindsight. I said all that last year when the trade happened. Big risk that ultimately failed because IMO PLD just doesn't care enough, but at the top of his game he's the type of center almost everyone wants.

But Vilardi injury prone, Kupari trending towards bust, Iafollo just a good third liner, nothing surprising there. Good haul for a guy they realized they wanted to get rid of, and Vilardi is a top six when healthy at least, but these aren't top assets unless Vilardi stays healthy.

Different system, Graves was there 3 coaches ago under Lindy Ruff. With Keafe going there, I'd assume he's going to overhaul their system.
- j.boyd919

Add in Graves was already replaced and Bahl was third pair (though maybe capable of moving up) and there's not a big enough hole to need Graves.

I don't either but if I were them, I would have just kept Bahl and traded their first next year to us for Jarry
- MacPatty

I'd have probably taken Bahl and a lower pick over the first given where we're at. I'd pick him over POJ or Graves on our second pair and I even like POJ.

Ok maybe not over a first, but I do like Bahl.

hmmm...I dont know... he's RFA and he's an Islander...doubt he ends up a Penguin even if Dubas has interest at all. His qualifying offer is only $874,125....pretty cheap.


https://thehockeynews.com...em_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
- MattStrat

So a potential top six guy who stopped scoring, was a below average skater before injuries and is worse, doesn't move his feet, and seemingly is below average defensively? I'm with you not sure he'd be worth the effort. If they added him dirt cheap why not? But likely another Bennstrom type.

Ned back for 2 years at 2.5m.

Ned back for 2 years at 2.5m.
- j.boyd919

Having both goalies for a combined cap hit under 8 mill is pretty decent IMO...thats if they don't move Jarry

Ned back for 2 years at 2.5m.
- j.boyd919

Surprised they didn't go someone cheaper on one with Blomquist, but I don't hate it at all. Covered a bit if they decide to move Jarry, especially if Blomquist comes up and plays well at some point.