Teams are either in a win now mode, or a rebuild mode. Pittsburghers learned what it takes to win championships and the cost of selling off futures to win now. You don't have to sell off futures to win, but if one of your opponents is doing it, then you need to as well. most people on here don't remember the cold war between the soviets and USA (I'm not even that old), but sports teams are in a similar situation every year. The top couple teams are trying to make sure they collect as many weapons as they can to defeat other team. Everyone wants a Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, McKinnon, etc. the teams that have these top players in their primes need to build around them. Get them as much help as they possibly can. Anyone not currently on the roster now (draft picks, prospects, etc.) is worthless to the championship cause. They're all expendable. Players on the current roster are expendable if they're upgraded. Every Championship team got better on or near the deadline by upgrading something. It might have been a 3rd or 4th line player, but it was an upgrade. Teams that feel like they're built well upgrade their depth just in case. The CAP has limited some of the movement that is done nowadays, but the constant look to upgrade is always there.
If a team is worried about its futures, then they're in the rebuild mode. Thos teams either think they can't win it all or that they're not close enough that a trade will help them. Those are the teams that should be worried about picks and prospects. The Pens are currently in that position. Depending on how close they think they are, they should start to sell of pieces that are not part of their long-term plans.
I would be willing to trade both goalies for futures. Ned won't return next year because someone will offer him more money than the Pens. Sell him for a mid-round pick or B prospect. Jarry is a sell high candidate. his numbers have never been higher and there are a lot of teams who are a goalie away from being a contender. He should get you at least a first or a top prospect (probably more). I'd be willing to trade Hellberg as well if the price was right.
Other than Letang and Pettersson, I'd be willing to trade any of the other D-men for the right price. EK would have to return a similar price for what we paid for him, so I doubt we would trade him because no one would offer that. Graves could go for a 3rd or better, but I'd be ok with giving him another year to get comfortable with the system. Ruh, POJ, Smith, Ludvig, etc. can all be shipped out to someone who wants some depth or as sweeteners to a larger deal.
The only forwards that are untouchable are Geno and Sid. I would not want to trade DOC, Pusty, or Eller, but would if the price is right. DOC and Pusty are young and showing potential. Eller fills a specific role that the team doesn't have, but that also makes him have trade value.
Jake, Rust, and Rax are all players that I wouldn't like to trade but have some value that's probably worth more than keeping them. If Jake isn't signed by the TDL, then he needs to be traded.
All the other forwards can be traded if someone wants them. since most were waiver pickups, I doubt they do.
Outside of Yager, Pickering, and Blomqvist, anyone in the minors could be traded for a decent price as well. I wouldn't shop them, but if someone made me an offer, I'd at least look at it.
Now, all this movement means we need something in return to field an NHL and AHL team, so we can't get rid of everyone. Plus we need to stay CAP compliant so taking back some salary for this year isn't a bad thing. Trading Cap space also helps with a rebuild.
Honestly my dream is to see Crosby traded to a contender and just rip the playoffs for another 4-5 yrs. Cause lets face it, if it ain't this yr for Pitt what is gonna change other than them getting even older.
I'll admit to knowing nothing about Poulin, so maybe he's a hidden gem, but this looks more like you want a 1st from COL for Ned. Not a chance.
Poulin is looking good in the minors, but it hasn't translated to the NHL with the Pens. He was a first-round pick with potential. I think if he's given the chance in a scoring position, he'd be good, but the Pens only uses him as a 3rd or 4th liner. The trade offer wouldn't be enough for an early to mid-first rounder, but for pick #29-32, it's fair.
McDavid, Connor
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