Caps decline. Is Zucker supposed to be the gift to get rid of JJ? That doesn’t work

That Tampa trade isn’t that bad. Although I will say, I’d rather go after Palat than Gourde. Definitely a good idea.

Also think the caps wouldn’t do that pens trade.

pens/caps will never make a significant trade as long as they are competitive rivals

Cool story. Be sure and tell Jaromir Jagr and Brent Johnson all about it.

Interesting trade from the pens point of view... IMO the only hold up is the fact that we would lose a LW and add a RW. If Bryan rust could transition to LW no problem then I say the penguins do this trade. The only reason why this trade wouldn't happen is b/c the penguins management realizes at 1.5 Mil cap retained they may as well buy him out and then not have to have zuckers trade value lowered by JJ.

back when they were in different divisions. a lot has changed since then. pens were also handcuffed with Jagr and knew they were entering a rebuild at that point. very different than the current situation

Yeah, it's amazing how much it costs to get rid of a bad contract in the NHL. A few years ago, there were rumors of offers of a 1st and a prospect for Philip Grubauer. But the Caps added Orpik into it, and.... not so much.

If they buy JJ out, they do still have about half his cap hit. It just stays with them until early 2027. So there's some value in moving him, and prices might be higher under a flat cap, but obviously I'm just a fan, just making this up off the top of my head.

If you want to turn Rust into a LW, have you considered changing his name to "Carl Hagelin?"

Both teams pick up all the guys they can who used to play for each other. Might as well just make trades if they help solve problems.

I know, but when rivals are both attempting to contend, its rare we see significant trades between them.

True. They each would have to think they're winning it somehow. I think this opens up a tiny bit of cap space for the Pens to trade for a 3C, but it takes away one of the bigger pieces they've been dangling to try to catch one. So it's okay for them but not great. The Caps give up their power play net-front presence power forward, but they get back a younger wing who, when he gets going, has similar point production, and should keep it going a bit longer. But at essentially a 1.5M higher cap hit, so that limits what kinds of additions they can try to make, too.

I think the pens decline here. I doubt they got rid of Hornqvist to take a more expensive Oshie. But I do love Oshie though (hate playing against him). I just feel like this goes against gmjr’s get younger and faster approach.

Penciling in Alexeyev for the second pairing on his off side without him having played an NHL game is certainly, uh... bold.

I think he played each side a bit in juniors, so I wouldn't see it as a big issue. Since he's playing in the KHL right now, he might show up for the season in pretty good shape, whenever it starts? I expect there will be experienced UFA D below his cap hit, though, so if he doesn't look ready in camp, the Caps can sign somebody who can do the job. Are Johnson and Gourde expensive? Yes. The Caps' defense above loses Gudas, Kempny, and Dillon, and then gives opening night spots to two rookies. They also can't re-sign Holtby. It's definitely not a big win for WSH, but I don't think getting younger and faster is JR's worst idea.

You're Mad with a Capitals M, Eli. No way in hell the Caps are trading Oshie to that team who's name I will not say and also taking on Jack Johnson. Too much of a favor, I don't care who they also give us.

As much as I love CH, he is now where on the same level of BR. BR is fast and makes amazing plays, while CH is fast but doesn't have the finishing touch. Would rather keep BR. But at the end of the day I would do this deal b/c dropping JJ and adding an almost PPG is worth it.