Ryan Wilson: Rutherford has an eye on free agency. Are there any centers? Rutherford has an eye on free agency. Are there any centers?

Funny, just last night I was trying to remember the last big-name FA the Pens signed. I couldn't come up with any. I was trying to understand the logic behind their policy of not buying out players. It surely can't be to attract FAs.

Given this list of 3Cs, I still like MacPatty's suggestion of signing a really good FA winger to either bump a top six winger down or to play beside 3C McCann. But I guess if McCann is being shopped, this won't work. Unless there is a trade for a 3C, or Granlund can still be a good center, this seems the most logical.

What if Rutherford signs a Defensiveman which would allow a trade of Patterson? To me, Patterson can garner a 3C ... Most teams need a 4/5 Dman...

What if Rutherford signs a Defensiveman which would allow a trade of Patterson? To me, Patterson can garner a 3C ... Most teams need a 4/5 Dman...
- hipcheck_goalie

We could fit in a Vatanen without trading anyone to start the year, unless trading someone is the "spooky one"

I’d rather play Tanev at 3rd line center and give him another million a year with a 2 year extension than sign Jod Thornton. Nothing against him, he’s an honest player and plays like a hockey player but when the meats done, take it off the grill.

What if Rutherford signs a Defensiveman which would allow a trade of Patterson? To me, Patterson can garner a 3C ... Most teams need a 4/5 Dman...
- hipcheck_goalie

Most teams can't afford a $4M 4/5 Dman right now, especially one that isn't all that special, and one that plays on the left side. 3C is more valuable than a 4/5 LD, especially in this market.

If age isn't an issue then I'd trade McCann for Eric Staal and get Billy to retain $1M.

I think there is a possibility of Simon being moved to 3C, with Zucker on Crosby's line now. Center is his natural position and he supposedly did good there with the Czech national team (as hard as that is to believe - I think he was a 2C on that team).

Getting Simon off of Crosby's line is always a good thing and having him play 3C can't really hurt that much. McCann has been rather inconsistent there. I am pretty sure that Simon's qualifying offer would be less than McCann's.

I think there is a possibility of Simon being moved to 3C, with Zucker on Crosby's line now. Center is his natural position and he supposedly did good there with the Czech national team (as hard as that is to believe - I think he was a 2C on that team).

Getting Simon off of Crosby's line is always a good thing and having him play 3C can't really hurt that much. McCann has been rather inconsistent there. I am pretty sure that Simon's qualifying offer would be less than McCann's.
- PghPens668771

They tried Simon at center a few times and it didn't go very well.

Rutherford didn't have faith in Bjug staying healthy. Can't say I blame him.

Namestikov could be an interesting project at 3C.

I’ll take joe - drop a goalie - Thornton all day.

I’ll take joe - drop a goalie - Thornton all day.
- 10inchTerror

I wanted Joe for the playoff run, but for a full season? I dunno. I'm not fully against it.

If the Avs are interested in Murray, any chance of a package revolving around Murray for Burakovsky? Murray/McCann for Burakovsky?

I’ll take joe - drop a goalie - Thornton all day.
- 10inchTerror

If we're considering Thornton then we should be considering Soderberg who is a better overall hockey player right now. Joe might as well be wearing sneakers he is so slow. If he is dropping the goalie on one end, it will take him a full shift's time to get back on defense.

If the Avs are interested in Murray, any chance of a package revolving around Murray for Burakovsky? Murray/McCann for Burakovsky?
- drummer829

No way for just Murray and doubtful with McCann included. Not only because he is looking like he will be a stud for them, but it would be a redundant position for us. If we move out McCann to get him, then we're really thin at center and just blew most of our assets.

Yeah, Soderberg should have been on that list. Heck, Koivu and Spezza are better options than Thornton.

Unless a guy like Huala or Soderberg signs on for a covid market discount, 3C will be best filled with a trade (if not McCann).

One guy I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned is Jeff Carter. Contract isn't great and he is slowing down but can fill the top PP and could create a huge matchup advantage with a couple decent wingers.

I wanted Joe for the playoff run, but for a full season? I dunno. I'm not fully against it.
- Rinosaur

I’d be happy but I think it’s more emotion than logic on that one. I (frank)ing love Jimbo and I think that’s making me overlook that he’s probably cooked, and even if he still has hockey left in him, his current speed likely doesn’t suit how we want to play, especially if he’s going to have slower wings like Hornqvist.

I’d be happy but I think it’s more emotion than logic on that one. I (frank)ing love Jimbo and I think that’s making me overlook that he’s probably cooked, and even if he still has hockey left in him, his current speed likely doesn’t suit how we want to play, especially if he’s going to have slower wings like Hornqvist.
- Victoro311

Would you rather sign Soderberg or trade for E. Staal if you had the choice? ? Soderberg is 34 and Staal is 35 years old.

No way for just Murray and doubtful with McCann included. Not only because he is looking like he will be a stud for them, but it would be a redundant position for us. If we move out McCann to get him, then we're really thin at center and just blew most of our assets.
- Hockey66

It’s funny you say that about Burakovski. I always thought he was really good and really underutilized by the Caps. Yet by all accounts he had a slightly not as good year this year with the Avs than his mean at Washington. He just put up more points because he had the most average ice time of his career. For context: he only played 58 games this year and amassed the second most total ice time of his career. It’s funny how usage can really change people’s opinions of a player.

Buro is good. If we could get him for Murray somehow we’d be lucky, but I agree, we can’t just trade McCann and not bring back a center, even if Murray + McCann for Buro would be a good trade for us in a vacuum.

Would you rather sign Soderberg or trade for E. Staal if you had the choice? ? Soderberg is 34 and Staal is 35 years old.
- Rinosaur

Staal kind of fell off this year, but they put up somewhat comperable offense at this point and Soderberg has never been a play driver. I think I’d rather gamble on a Staal bounce back and think at worst Staal and Soderberg would have similar impacts with Staal being a higher upside acquisition. Have to factor in that Soderberg is on a good team and Staal is on a bad one.

Staal kind of fell off this year, but they put up somewhat comperable offense at this point and Soderberg has never been a play driver. I think I’d rather gamble on a Staal bounce back and think at worst Staal and Soderberg would have similar impacts with Staal being a higher upside acquisition. Have to factor in that Soderberg is on a good team and Staal is on a bad one.
- Victoro311

Yeah. I'm still a fan of Staal. He's not an overly physical player, but still competes so hard and that's something this team needs.

Totally random idea, but let's say the Pens had a chance to trade for Henrique. Would you guys give up Poulin or Legare. Henrique still has four years left at $5.825. Let's say...

TO ANA: McCann + Poulin
TO PIT: Adam Henrique

Something like this, but you can tweak the move.

Would you rather sign Soderberg or trade for E. Staal if you had the choice? ? Soderberg is 34 and Staal is 35 years old.
- Rinosaur

Thats a really interesting question. Staal is a better player and will have a lower cap hit but what assets would it cost? Is what you give away for him worth more than the upgrade from Sod to him? I don't know.

I wouldn’t want to receive a body check from Ryan Reaves. I bet NHL players feel the same. I bet it has an affect on the game. I bet not one penguin player on the current roster makes any other player ever think twice about anything on the ice.