I wouldn't be surprised if the Pens think Hayes can play 2nd line wing and contribute.

Unsure about the clear message though. I feel it's addressing two things, current need of a capable NHL player and getting assets for the future. I think we'll see though which direction is really present after July 1.
- Aaron_85

I think they go Sid, Geno, Hayes, Eller down the middle.

This deal underscores the impossible nature of trading Graves. We got a 2nd (which i think is pretty good business for us) to take a guy making $3M something with 2 years left. Sure Graves has more potential to bounce back, but no one is taking him on without multiple assets attached.

I like the 2 2nd round picks and the trade today. Based on what Dubas has said l before, Im surprised we dont try to leverage our picks for more developed prospects.

I think people dont like the Hayes move because a) he doesnt address their lack of scoring b) Its another player well in his 30s.

to me, the most obvious low risk target for the Penguins is Jeff Skinner, but I doubt we'd be the only one calling for him.
- SuperHenderson13

I think Skinner goes to any contending team that makes an offer. I’m sure he’s sick of missing the playoffs. I can see Tampa trying to sign him to replace some of Stamkos’ points. Or even Vegas for cheap if Marchessault leaves.

I was thinking they might do a veteran line and a younger line so they could keep the old guys fresh.


Domi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Beauvillier - Puljujarvi
Eller - Hayes - Accari

I was thinking they might do a veteran line and a younger line so they could keep the old guys fresh.


Domi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Beauvillier - Puljujarvi
Eller - Hayes - Accari
- 123Kid

I’m cool with this.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Pens think Hayes can play 2nd line wing and contribute.

Unsure about the clear message though. I feel it's addressing two things, current need of a capable NHL player and getting assets for the future. I think we'll see though which direction is really present after July 1.
- Aaron_85

If your main goal is to win now, you don't take on cap dumps. This was clearly a cap dump (we gave them nothing back, they gave us a 2nd).

I'm not saying Hayes won't work out for us, he might rebound and do well enough to roughly balance his cap hit (and I hope he does), but certainly with that cap space you could find a better option via UFA or trade.

Dubas is trying to set us up to compete again in a few years, while allowing us to at least scrap for a WC spot in the present, with the set-up for the future team taking priority.

I was thinking they might do a veteran line and a younger line so they could keep the old guys fresh.


Domi - Crosby - Rust
Bunting - Malkin - Rakell
DOC - Beauvillier - Puljujarvi
Eller - Hayes - Accari
- 123Kid

I'd be surprised if they don't leave at least one spot open for the young guys to compete for.

Also, Yohe says they so far haven't found a trade for Smith, so we may be stuck with him to start the year.

I'd be surprised if they don't leave at least one spot open for the young guys to compete for.

Also, Yohe says they so far haven't found a trade for Smith, so we may be stuck with him to start the year.
- MickV

We didn’t acquire Hayes for his hockey play and Sullivan will probably hate his attitude. I think we’ll have no issue scratching Hayes.

We didn’t acquire Hayes for his hockey play and Sullivan will probably hate his attitude. I think we’ll have no issue scratching Hayes.
- Victoro311

Idk, Hayes is a Boston kid like Sully, I doubt their plan is to scratch him. (It might happen if he sucks, but I don't see them going into the season with that as the plan.)

i dont know if he had any part in Cutter Gauthier choosing to leave, but if he did, I like him already.
- SuperHenderson13

If you like a guy who quits on his team simply because of some non-existent rivalry you're imagining...well, go you.

I'd be surprised if they don't leave at least one spot open for the young guys to compete for.

Also, Yohe says they so far haven't found a trade for Smith, so we may be stuck with him to start the year.
- MickV

Yager should have ever opportunity to earn a spot.

Idk, Hayes is a Boston kid like Sully, I doubt their plan is to scratch him. (It might happen if he sucks, but I don't see them going into the season with that as the plan.)
- MickV

I doubt the Boston connection is going to matter very much when Hayes comes into practice and proves himself a low effort female dog.

I doubt the Boston connection is going to matter very much when Hayes comes into practice and proves himself a low effort female dog.
- Victoro311

I'm assuming there is much more to come from Dubas over the next several days, but on the surface, this looks idiotic to me. Still gotta sell Sid on competing for the playoffs. There's no reason to ever bring a "low effort b!tch" to your team unless you're in full tank mode. Don't like it.

Yager should have ever opportunity to earn a spot.
- jmatchett383

He won't. Sully doesn't do that anymore.

I'm assuming there is much more to come from Dubas over the next several days, but on the surface, this looks idiotic to me. Still gotta sell Sid on competing for the playoffs. There's no reason to ever bring a "low effort b!tch" to your team unless you're in full tank mode. Don't like it.
- madmike71

The blues suck. That second may as well be a low first. We always strike out in free agency and it looks like there weren’t bites on the trade market. I’d much prefer to weaponize our cap space like this to get assets than sign this year’s Tanev/Acciari.

The blues suck. That second may as well be a low first. We always strike out in free agency and it looks like there weren’t bites on the trade market. I’d much prefer to weaponize our cap space like this to get assets than sign this year’s Tanev/Acciari.
- Victoro311

Thats the thing

The "Kevin Hayes" version in this years free agent crop probably costs 2.5 Million anyways.

This way we get a 2nd for 2 million worth of capspace over 2 years

Maybe that 2nd gets us a "play now player" on a value contract, is used in a different cap dump, or is used to "add" at the deadline if the team is competitive

A useful player who will hopefully net 30-40 points

I still think guys like Smith and Eller are traded freeing up some space.

Honestly, if Dubas really intends on competing, having the Blues 2nd rounder makes trading the 1st a little easier. But that means trading the 1st for a legitimate 30-40 goal scoring winger

I still think guys like Smith and Eller are traded freeing up some space.

Honestly, if Dubas really intends on competing, having the Blues 2nd rounder makes trading the 1st a little easier. But that means trading the 1st for a legitimate 30-40 goal scoring winger
- drummer829

That’s certainly possible but this might also be indicative of just being sellers/in a rebuild now. We’ve been shopping Smith and Jarry hard. We’ve made Rakell available. All those guys are still on the roster and now we sold off a significant chunk of cap space for a future. I could totally see this as Dubas realizing there’s nothing out there and just trying to maximize assets. Yeah that’s sad, but again let me reiterate that it’s highly preferable to signing a bunch of defensive forwards in an attempt to half ass compete

We have like 7 mil in cap space with pretty much everyone signed. We can still go out there and get Domi and Beau, have a more fun team than we did last year, and bank that high second in our back pocket from the Hayes trade. I think that’s fine.

I doubt the Boston connection is going to matter very much when Hayes comes into practice and proves himself a low effort female dog.
- Victoro311

Isn’t low effort cowardice Sullys style?

Isn’t low effort cowardice Sullys style?
- Grinder47

Sack up and deep sea off the coast for mahi and grouper.

The blues suck. That second may as well be a low first. We always strike out in free agency and it looks like there weren’t bites on the trade market. I’d much prefer to weaponize our cap space like this to get assets than sign this year’s Tanev/Acciari.
- Victoro311

The Blues are a middling bubble team just like the Pens. That 2nd round pick will be mid 2nd ( 45 to 50+) not a late 1st rounder.

How mad are you if you are Stamkos, and the rumors of them clearing cap space to go after Guentzel is correct?

I do wonder the next moves to be honest. I think Dubas backed himself into a corner with Smith.

Rumors inside the organization have everyone back and forth on trading Jarry and a lot of staff worried since Blomquist has yet to really play in the big league. So I doubt he gets moved. Even though like most of us here believe, we could always sign a cheaper backup and save 2-3 million.

Graves we already know there is also no market. So...we aren't getting much cap space there. I feel like Dubas definitely has a lot of work to do.

At first I wanted a Laine deal, but I had this thought prior to the draft that maybe we trade Smith and Jarry open up some cap space. Then try to sign Reinhart for like 9.5 which is a 800k difference. Or he tries to land someone like Stamkos to put next to Crosby.

Or even bring in Domi for the top line and you rebuild a 3rd line (if we cleared a bunch of cap space). Maybe sign Zucker, Duchene, Kane (prior to the Hayes deal). Have 3 lines which we could roll out and a 4th shut down line to take some pressure off of Sid and Malkin. Now, I just sit here hoping Dubas doesn't mess things up.

How mad are you if you are Stamkos, and the rumors of them clearing cap space to go after Guentzel is correct?
- 123Kid

I think there is zero truth behind that and probably just posturing in this negotiation. Stamkos only leaves if someone offers him a Tavares contract. He is better than Jake still IMO.

Now with Sergayev gone they have the cap space and will get it done with Stamkos.

Thats the thing

The "Kevin Hayes" version in this years free agent crop probably costs 2.5 Million anyways.

This way we get a 2nd for 2 million worth of capspace over 2 years

Maybe that 2nd gets us a "play now player" on a value contract, is used in a different cap dump, or is used to "add" at the deadline if the team is competitive

A useful player who will hopefully net 30-40 points
- RoloTahmasee

Maybe Dubas saw Hayes as a Monahan arbitrage scenario similar to Montreal. Get an asset to take a player with struggles but upside. Put them in a situation where the player can excel and rebuild value.

If your team is good and he is playing well, perfect scenario.
If your team is good and he is playing bad, you send that 2nd back out the door to dump him.

If your team sucks and he is playing well you flip him for more assets.
If your team sucks and he sucks, well...

The Blues are a middling bubble team just like the Pens. That 2nd round pick will be mid 2nd ( 45 to 50+) not a late 1st rounder.
- hfc355

The blues are stinky