Funny enough almost similar. He says that it's a sellers market so we may shop other players. He also discusses the possibility of Jarry and Graves potentially being shopped, but that would be Christmas in March for us.


He reports Karlsson probably won't be traded until the offseason. We will probably make trades on Wednesday or Thursday because Friday we are playing in Vegas later in the day and it would be harder to call up players across the country.
- 123Kid

After seeing Jones went for Knight and a 1st with 5 years left on that deal... would be VERY hard to tell me its not a sellers market. Keep in mind Knight is 23 which is the same age as Blomqvist and posted better numbers then Bobrovsky this season. Top 15 in both save % and GAA

Some interesting scenarios if we get a little luck with our pick and end up in the top 2 (for this scenario ahead of the other teams).

Nashville has 3 firsts & an early 2nd.
San Jose has 2 firsts & an early 2nd.
Chicago has 2 firsts & an early 2nd.
Seattle has 1 first, an early 2nd and Shayne Wright.
Buffalo has 1 first, an early 2nd and Power/Byram.

Say we get a top 2 pick and the other teams pick comes in at #5. What would you want as a return to trade down?

If Seattle ends up in the top 8 picks, I'd consider doing a trade down for that pick and Wright. Get a young 3C in the lineup now and still another good prospect.

I'd trade a 3rd overall or higher for Power and Buffalo's 2nd.

I think Nashville would trade quantity for quality on their picks. If we end up with the NYR pick at 15, would you trade down for their two 1sts from Tampa & Vegas?

Lots to think about when you arent thinking about a playoff race!

After seeing Jones went for Knight and a 1st with 5 years left on that deal... would be VERY hard to tell me its not a sellers market. Keep in mind Knight is 23 which is the same age as Blomqvist and posted better numbers then Bobrovsky this season. Top 15 in both save % and GAA
- pens4life-66

I'm interested in seeing what Knights numbers will look like with the Hawks... the team in front counts for a lot in those stats. Ive been saying that Knight would be a cap dump for them this year because he has a very cheap buyout in the offseason. Hawks could keep him of course as they have no cap concerns.

Um...you really don't understand the world of the NHL. Karlsson would dominate in most systems. Just not ours. Plus Jones was just traded with minimal retention and he has been similar defensively. He also has 5 more years left on his contract.
- 123Kid

Dominate??? He is a soon to be 35 yr old defenseman who is a defensive liability with 1 PP goal in 60 plus games. His dominating days are long gone.

You guys believing any team is going to take EK off your hands without 50% retained is comical. If this was his final season yes but with 2 more yrs left forget it. He will be a Penquin again next year
- hfc355

I haven't read one person who thinks the Pens won't have to retain, so don't know where your getting that. How much I'm not sure, but I've definitely read national guys saying they could find a taker at 8M. My guess is 6-7.5M. If you think that's crazy, did you think Jones would go for 7M the next 5 years and get a 1st back?

Insider talk

Grz, Beau, and Acciari are rumored to be the most talked/asked about and most likely to be traded at the deadline. Rakell is a back and forth discussion on if they should keep him (there hasn't been a lot of calls on him). Karlsson has some interest and there is a belief that if anyone pulls off a hail Mary and lands him at the deadline it could be Vegas with another team retaining cap space.
- 123Kid

Thanks as always for this. Tracks with what we've been hearing. Accairi maybe not as much but I'm for it.

Hagens is the best playmaker in the draft. He probably gets to the NHL quickly. I think everyone is sleeping on him because he hasnt blown the lid of the NCAA, but I think with Schaefers injury, there is still a chance he goes #1... especially if Buffalo lucks into that pick.
Misa plays an NHL game and has some really solid skill.
Martone has the most upside but I think he is a bit timid and could end up a bust.

Denoyers, Frondell, McQueen or Eklund could also end up special. Have to think that someone is going to reach on a D in the top 10. Right now its all forwards except for Schaeffer but Mrtka or Smith could easily go earlier.

This could be a good year for trading around early in the draft as it is not super clear cut and teams could really like specific players.
- MacPatty

I don't want to trade out of the top 5 myself. I'm hoping we get a top 4, don't think much separates Hagens, Misa, and Martine other than style. But we have to win lottery to get top 3 unless our tank accelerates so I'm not banking on getting my pick and wouldn't trade up.

I would be satisfied with Denoyers as well. McQueen feels like a big wild card worth considering since if it wasn't for injuries he could go top 5. After that I feel there's a bit of a drop (though those guys would still be our new top prospect) so I'm hoping top 5.

Checking if I understand NHL salary retention rules.

After this season ends, EK is owed $16.5M over 2 seasons; however, $5M of that is a signing bonus next year. So if the Pens (plus SJ paying its retained part) pay that on July 1, then EK is only owed $11.5M from that point to the end of his contract with $1.5M being paid by SJ (leaving $10M).

If a 3rd team were to be involved in a trade at that point and retain the max 50% remaining, they would pay $5M total over 2 seasons but their retained cap hit would be $5M each year, hence $10M total.

Is this correct?

If so, this should be the kind of deal that cap-floor teams would love to make because they save $5M in real money.
- MickV

I'm not sure about all the specifics you have, but the general idea that Karlsson could be good for a team wanting to spend less salary than cap fits. And this is why many people are so adamant Karlsson gets moved in the offseason season. Once the Pens pay that bonus, the real money is easier to swallow.

I haven't read one person who thinks the Pens won't have to retain, so don't know where your getting that. How much I'm not sure, but I've definitely read national guys saying they could find a taker at 8M. My guess is 6-7.5M. If you think that's crazy, did you think Jones would go for 7M the next 5 years and get a 1st back?
- Tojo.

Exactly... You read some of these posts and people think he's washed. He's not. Turn him into a 7mil player. If we need to take a short term bad contract back to increase the return, that's good too. I think it's more likely to make the deal in the summer, but he's still a real good player that a team could use for a cup run.

Our days of freaking over cap problems are gone.

After seeing Jones went for Knight and a 1st with 5 years left on that deal... would be VERY hard to tell me its not a sellers market. Keep in mind Knight is 23 which is the same age as Blomqvist and posted better numbers then Bobrovsky this season. Top 15 in both save % and GAA
- pens4life-66

Are you hearing any additional rumors about the Pens?

Dominate??? He is a soon to be 35 yr old defenseman who is a defensive liability with 1 PP goal in 60 plus games. His dominating days are long gone.
- hfc355

I assume you didn't watch the 4 nations. He had the fastest speed burst. He also dominated carrying the puck which is what he can do. He had the 2nd most points of a defenseman and he carried his teams and drove the offense for Sweden whenever he was on the ice. Pens are too busy making their Defenseman pass first instead of carrying the puck. He is going to be dangerous especially in the playoffs if/when he is traded. When he gives full effort he can still take over a game. Sullivan's system just doesn't fit him. He has defensive liabilities, but he always did. I think they are amplified playing in this system which doesn't fit him at all.

We had bad coaching and set ups last season with the power play. Again I think he plays for someone else and I could see him play well on the PP. Again with the price set for Jones it does make things interesting

Rangers have been an absolute nightmare this year and hopefully miss playoffs and land in 13 slot.
- hfc355

Hahaha

Dominate??? He is a soon to be 35 yr old defenseman who is a defensive liability with 1 PP goal in 60 plus games. His dominating days are long gone.
- hfc355

He's an important piece of one of the better PP's in the league this season. He has 11 PP apples to go with that goal.

The guy had a 101 point season at 33...so while dominate might be a stretch (might not be in right environment, though) I think, as always, you are totally underselling him hahaha

Jones has only ever gone over 50 points two times in his career. EK is having a more productive (ppg) season than him this season...and last 3 or 4 season as well, actually

He looked really, really good with Sweden.

I assume you didn't watch the 4 nations. He had the fastest speed burst. He also dominated carrying the puck which is what he can do. He had the 2nd most points of a defenseman and he carried his teams and drove the offense for Sweden whenever he was on the ice. Pens are too busy making their Defenseman pass first instead of carrying the puck. He is going to be dangerous especially in the playoffs if/when he is traded. When he gives full effort he can still take over a game. Sullivan's system just doesn't fit him. He has defensive liabilities, but he always did. I think they are amplified playing in this system which doesn't fit him at all.

We had bad coaching and set ups last season with the power play. Again I think he plays for someone else and I could see him play well on the PP. Again with the price set for Jones it does make things interesting



- 123Kid

Would agree if this was his final year but with 2 yrs left after this year I dont see it. Saying that there are some dumb GMs

If Dubas has a good trade deadline, I think people's rating of him should go a lot more positive. In the short span of a few years, he has acquired picks in the top 3 rounds and has taken our prospect group to a respectable level again. It doesnt make up for the Jarry or Graves error, but overall I finally appreciate the direction we are heading in.

A top 3 pick + the Rangers pick being 14 or 15 would have the potential to set us up big time. They could easily take that 2nd 1st round pick and either move up into the top 10 to grab another player or use that pick to trade it for young NHL ready talent. Lots of good options.

Are you hearing any additional rumors about the Pens?
- 123Kid

From Josh Yohe:
-Veterns like Acciari, Beauvillier, and Grzelcyk are all available and it'd be surprised if at least one of them arent move
-The market is in the Penguins favor as only several teams are 6+ points out of a playoff spot
-There could be many types of deals the Penguins puruse - draft picks, prospects, young players, or even a complex trade that would dump a guy like Jarry or Graves
-Erik Karlsson is available, but a summer move is seen as more practical. He raised his stock during the 4 Nations
-Neither Letang nor Rust have been asked to waive their NTC/NMC
-If the Penguins make a big splash, expect it on Wednesday or Thursday due to the timing of their next game.
-Rakell is available, but for a steep price. Dubas doesnt see a need to move him unless he gets a good offer. Several western conference teams have expressed interest

From Elliote Friedman:
-Doesnt see anything happening with Crosby or Malkin
-Karlsson will be worth a lot more in the summer after his bonus is paid and he only costs $11.5M in the last two years
-Penguins have asked about some of Buffalo's young players

If Dubas has a good trade deadline, I think people's rating of him should go a lot more positive. In the short span of a few years, he has acquired picks in the top 3 rounds and has taken our prospect group to a respectable level again. It doesnt make up for the Jarry or Graves error, but overall I finally appreciate the direction we are heading in.

A top 3 pick + the Rangers pick being 14 or 15 would have the potential to set us up big time. They could easily take that 2nd 1st round pick and either move up into the top 10 to grab another player or use that pick to trade it for young NHL ready talent. Lots of good options.
- SuperHenderson13

I would try and trade up with the second pick in the 1st round and try to land Radim Mrtka.


Edit: thanks for the secondary info.