Can not see Rangers taking on over 7 million in contracts eating a million in Smith's contract. Smith's contract is for 3 years where as Johson's contract goes another 5 years and Maatta's contract goes another 4. You are clearing over 8 million in contracts and they can be rid of Smiths 's contract in a shorter time and have a ton of cap to sign free agents.

I think they’re using maatta as a reason to take JJ contract. Maatta still has value. Good underlying numbers

Bad Rels though, for the most part. Very high PDO too, suggesting regression. Rangers pass, Smith is cheaper, on a shorter contract, and doesn't block as many spots for the young Dmen they have coming up.

Hard no from Anaheim there. Kase is such a good player and so cost controlled. He's one of the most underrated in the league. Dominant with the puck and deserves a much larger role in Anaheim.

The trade is a big loss for the Pens, but you're really undervaluing Maatta. Players with his credentials at his age are very scarce and valuable, and while he isn't a world beater he is a solid second pairing option. His relatives numbers aren't great because the vast majority of ES numbers when he is off the ice are being eaten by either the Dumo-Letang pairing or a sheltered 3rd pair. His PDO is high, but it's not out of place for the team and a 1-2% slide would line him up with his historic average without making a huge difference in results.

I do think Maatta to the Rangers makes sense, just not for that return. A Top-4 of Skjei, Maatta, Pionk, and Deangelo is young enough to still have relevant pieces once the rebuild is done, and parts can always be moved for team improvements. In particular I think Maatta+ for Shattenkirk retained makes a lot of sense as it balances out everyones handedness and makes their defense a lot younger. Sounds crazy, but Shats ice time has dropped and he's being used more as a powerplay specialist, so its not like he's untouchable.

My eyes lit up when I saw Smith, then bled when I saw Jack J. No thanks, we already have enough led in our pockets.

To say that’s a “hard no” is wrong. Like ya I’d probably rather have Kase but they’re similar players. If pitt were to add a pick, then it’d be pretty fair.

I don't know if you watch much of Kase if you're making that statement. I've seen both a lot over the last couple years (The Pitt cup runs and the Ducks always destroying my Hawks). Kase is younger and has a higher ceiling, his shot is hard and he's always one of the better players on the ice regardless of where he is in the line up.

No I haven’t but based off of production, and underlying numbers; they’re similar. I’m not denying Kase is better, but I don’t think it’s a big difference

I know it's hard to watch Anaheim if you're in Pitt, but Kase is just so much better with the puck. And again, the age difference makes it that much more different.

yeah 3 years younger is pretty significant, and hes signed to a steel deal