Schultz>Hoffman, Hoffman is only a marginal upgrade over Galch at 5v5

I get behind the minny trade

If they did do this deal I would assume someone else gets moved for a Dman. Galchenyuk and Bjugstad being the likely candidates.

I don't know what the Pens don't see in him, but I'd be fine with Lafferty playing 4th line in the playoffs. The Pens just have too many pieces that will never fit a role on this current bunch to not make a couple moves.

I also don't know what they do with Desmith, but moving him for a 3rd,like campbell just got, would be nice.

Florida might jump on that. Dreidger is out long-term.

Well. That would work perfect in my proposed deal. Pitt keeps that pick, gives up Desmith with Schultz. Maybe gets a 4th or 5th from Florida with Hoffman.

I like your trades here and I love the idea of the Pens getting Zucker, I think he's a consistent 60 point player if he has 87 or 71 as his center. Especially next season and beyond if you can pair Guentzel or Zucker with Sid and Malkin, that gives you two lethal scoring lines.

However, If you move Schultz then your 3rd pair is awful with two left handed defenseman, they would get exposed in a 7 game series against anyone. I'd keep Schultz personally, he's in a contract year and he'll be motivated to step up down the stretch here.

Florida wants defensive d-men not a guy like Schultz.

If Hoffman is so bad why are his CF%, points/60, and oiGF/60 so high? And his oiGA/60 at a decent number?

I don't disagree with your points but ultimately Schultz isn't a third pair guy.. I'd like to maximize value. I do think the Pens would need to add a steady veteran RD if they traded him.

My aim here was to get two good wingers without giving up too much of the future.

I've seen Montreal fans say that any deal for Tatar or Domi starts with Poulin+ this year's 1st.

They then add guys like Hallander or a 2nd and a 3rd. The Pens don't need that.

I've seen NYR say a deal with Kreider starts with a first+Hallander plus another pick in the first three rounds or a prospect like Bjorkqvist. Don't want that either.

The Pens are legitimate buyers.. But that doesn't mean throwing three of your top 6-9 prospects to the other team. I count this year's first in that mix.

Getting Hoffman and Zucker while not giving up Poulin, Legare, Hallander, and Addison was my goal here.

remember the last time the penguins weakened their blueline at a trade deadline when they traded Cole.
Lets not do that again.

I was always a Cole guy. He wasn't afraid to mix it up, blocked a ton of shots, and still was able to make the smart pass quickly, most of the time.

I'm just not sure Schultz being traded weakens the blue line. They've done fine without him for a lot of the season and I fear he may get injured again, as it has become a recurring event.

Maybe they turn around and get a guy like Cole that lays more hits and blocks more shots than Schultz. I really appreciate him for all that he has done. When Letang went out he stepped into that top line PP role and did a fantastic job.

I'd rather lose him than Poulin, Legare or Addison.