Pens 2021-22

Why do so many have Tanev as the guy taken by Seattle. I like the player, but 3.5 for a guy who can't crack 20 goals is gonna make Seattle pass him up. I know he brings more, I'm a fan of his game. But that contract won't be one they want.

If he plays well Matheson is the guy they take as he'll be the most valuable. Of course he has to turn it around first. If he doesn't I'm thinking they take ZAR. Blueger maybe protected not sure what they do yet. The 7th forward is either him or McCann. If McCann is still here. But if Blueger isn't protected, I'm about sure he's gone to Seattle unless they make a deal. If they make a deal, you can bet it's Matheson.

They have to hit a cap floor too. Tanev has had Selke votes 3 years in a row. Even b4 he came to Pittsburgh. Yes, 3.5M is tough for a 29 year old bottom 6 energy guy. But in a flat cap year. If the cap situation did what it was supposed to do this year(and the fans were able to attend games), then the contract is an ok one. Actually a good one. Not great, but good. Defiantly not bad like it is now In a flat cap situation.

I don’t know why I think they will take Tanev. I just think they will. They will want his defense, energy, leadership, etc. And he’ll chip in with double digit goals and 30 points. But you know he’s not a huge scorer or playmaker. Average shot. Average passer. But He’s smart, fast, does the right things, is always in the right spot, plays tough, digs pucks out, great positioning, hits a lot of people, and obviously great defensive(one of the best in the league). And his analytics win coaches/GM’s over more than his scoring stats.

yes I realize all this about his game. Like I said, I like his game. But if Matheson has a good year, he's the better pick. As a guy who can play 2LD is more valuable than a bottom 6 forward.
Especially if you can trade him out to a team needing defensive help after. And even if he doesn't turn it around, they can use that 3.5 million to collect a 1st round pick. Which is why I don't see this happening. But we'll have to see what Blueger or ZAR make.

The draft is b4 free agency starts. They will draft Blueger or ZAR’s RFA rights. It’s why they can draft an UFA from someone’s team too. It’s like trading a UFA rights after the season and b4 free agency starts. Same concept.

But I agree, they would draft Matheson if he has a good year. Or Blueger I’d he has a good year(b/c he’s a center). But they have to have good years in order for that to happen. If they have average years or a bad year. They will take Tanev, IMO.

I get that on the RFAs but what I was trying to get at is, you got ZAR who is basically the same defensive forward, who is much younger and his cap hit, potentially is a lot lower.
Which is what I was referring to in see what Blueger and ZAR make. Because if you can take ZAR at like 1 million, and then you use your cap to take dumps and take 1st round picks. You are probably better off than taking Tanev. Who is older, about to be 29 and way more expensive. I guess that depends on when they expect to compete. If they think they are gonna be like vegas and compete right away ok. But if this team isn't going to be competitive and have to build, than taking a guy who's 30 at a high salary just makes no sense to me.

I don't know, Seattle is in a good spot to take up cap space, rake in 1st round picks and build for the future.
I see them either grabbing young guys they can make use of, cap dumps, or guys they can trade for assets. But if they are building to win that's a different story to me.