Ryan Wilson: Third line center situation Third line center situation

Great blog, will be very interesting to see how the 3C situation plays out as we get closer to all star break.

Sad that they gave their top Goaltending prospect for him then, hugh?

Sad that they gave their top Goaltending prospect for him then, hugh?
- Doogs

Hindsight is 20/20

There was no reason to expect such drastic regression from Murray.

There was no reason to expect a proven player like Brassard to have so many issues.

Yeah I definitely think Sheahan is a must move at this point I would start there first. Grant can be 4c. Grab a pick for him and have the cap space for another deal.

Sad that they gave their top Goaltending prospect for him then, hugh?
- Doogs

Gustavsson(however it's spelled) was never going to have an impact in the Sid/Geno era anyway so he doesn't matter.

I'd let Cullen and Grant take care of the 4th C. Sheahan and Brassard should be used to bring Coyle.

My guess, despite GMJR’s itchy trading finger, is they stay pat for a while an give DB a chance to get it together. Isn’t this a contract year for him? Trade has not worked so far for whatever reasons but you think he’d want to show he can still be a productive 2nd line center before heading into contract negotiations.

Would Pitts bring back Staal?

Until it is obvious that this team has turned a corner and looks good on a consistent basis I do not think that Rutherford should make any drastic trades. Certainly Maatta is having a very bad season but his contract is based on his potential over the time period of the contract - not on a single season. I expect him to have a bounce-back season next season and hopefully play to his contract.

Would Pitts bring back Staal?
- Leniwm1

Please... we've had enough articles with RW fanboying over Jordan Staal returning here

Please... we've had enough articles with RW fanboying over Jordan Staal returning here
- Guile

I mean look, if CAR wants to retain $2M it would be worth exploring.

Gustavsson(however it's spelled) was never going to have an impact in the Sid/Geno era anyway so he doesn't matter.
- 668710

I don’t disagree regarding the timeframe, however having a stud tender Post Sid/Geno wouldn’t have hurt.

Hindsight is 20/20

There was no reason to expect such drastic regression from Murray.

There was no reason to expect a proven player like Brassard to have so many issues.
- Rinosaur

Oh, wasn’t saying shouldn’t have done anything. I am okay with Brassard, just wish he was the guy that killed the Pens regularly, but FOR the Pens. I didn’t like giving up Gustavsson, would have preferred Jarry, but may not have gotten it done.

Mackey was just on the radio. Says, every time he asks "someone who would know" about trading Maatta, they laugh at him.

Says Brassard is probably the guy getting moved. No big news there. Brass has had opportunities with our best RW's and nothing comes of it.

The most interesting thing Mackey said is the Penguins want to open up a slot for Garret Wilson. I thought he played pretty well in his short stay, but I hardly think he's a player that needs a regular roster spot.

Oh, wasn’t saying shouldn’t have done anything. I am okay with Brassard, just wish he was the guy that killed the Pens regularly, but FOR the Pens. I didn’t like giving up Gustavsson, would have preferred Jarry, but may not have gotten it done.
- Doogs

Ya know... just because he was a highly ranked prospect, doesn't mean hes going to pan out.

.912 save percentage and over a 3 GAA in the AHL this year. Far from ideal from a big time up and coming goalie.

Ya know... just because he was a highly ranked prospect, doesn't mean hes going to pan out.

.912 save percentage and over a 3 GAA in the AHL this year. Far from ideal from a big time up and coming goalie.
- Guile

And you may be 100% right. Not sure if you think I am complaining, because I wasn’t. I just remember saying at the time of the deal...I hope Brassard comes here and plays the way he did against the Pens, for the Pens, but I don’t like giving up Gustavsson.

And you may be 100% right. Not sure if you think I am complaining, because I wasn’t. I just remember saying at the time of the deal...I hope Brassard comes here and plays the way he did against the Pens, for the Pens, but I don’t like giving up Gustavsson.
- Doogs

At the time he was 5th at best on our goalie depth chart... probably lower since he wasn't in the AHL. I didn't view him in the trade as anything relevant. It was a first and Cole... and a pick of whatever low ranked prospect they wanted in my mind.

Mackey was just on the radio. Says, every time he asks "someone who would know" about trading Maatta, they laugh at him.

Says Brassard is probably the guy getting moved. No big news there. Brass has had opportunities with our best RW's and nothing comes of it.

The most interesting thing Mackey said is the Penguins want to open up a slot for Garret Wilson. I thought he played pretty well in his short stay, but I hardly think he's a player that needs a regular roster spot.
- madmike71

I thought Wilson made a profound difference on the 4th line.

At the time he was 5th at best on our goalie depth chart... probably lower since he wasn't in the AHL. I didn't view him in the trade as anything relevant. It was a first and Cole... and a pick of whatever low ranked prospect they wanted in my mind.
- Guile

I always thought he was too young to be seen as a top goalie prospect. He was one of the better tenders in the World Jrs.

I always thought he was too young to be seen as a top goalie prospect. He was one of the better tenders in the World Jrs.
- Doogs

Raising Canes has the best tenders

I liked the Brassard trade at the time because 1) I thought he was a top 6 wing option as well as at C 2) I thought we were going to replace Cole. We never did. We really didn’t get either of the things I wanted from the trade. Brassard had a small, decent stretch of actual offense as 3C and that was really it. The other problem is that we were a highly functioning team at the time of the trade and we could’ve added Kane or Skinner. Most people tend to disagree with me on this but I would’ve preferred either of those guys (knowing the next contract would be higher) and dealing Hornqvist for a defender (maybe to LA for a defender)

Some of the comments are about future goalies, MM has struggled but right now he and DeSmith are both playing strong. I don’t care for MM, but maybe he’s over the hump. Time will tell

Keep in beating the “Trade Maatta” drum until it breaks. He is not as bad as you think.

I think Brass can and will bring it. He's extremely nice to have if one of Sid or Geno get an injury because he's a legit 2C. Honestly wouldn't bounce him out of here for a defensive minded centermen. But if it's Coyle or Carter I'm ok with that, thing is they are gonna play with the same wingers Brass has now. I say wait some more and see if Brass can work with Simon on his left and either Horn or Rust on the Right. It may not be popular opinion but while Rust is hot I'd put him with Brass and Simon and see if that line gets going and put Horny with Sid.

Keep in beating the “Trade Maatta” drum until it breaks. He is not as bad as you think.
- Vincepens

It's not that people think he's bad. He just has the most all around trade value with 4mil cap hit and with all the D we have it just seems to be a popular choice. I think we should definitely move Sheahan out first for cap space and see where we are at then.