Hard pass from Pit. Rust is an established 20+ goal scorer and is one of the fastest guys on the team at a reasonable cap hit. I dont know much about Denisenko, but a 4 game NHL sample size is nowhere near enough to project where that guy is going to go. Granted he is still pretty young, his number in the KHL dont really jump off the page either.

Why are the cash-trapped Pens trading their 2nd best winger and retaining salary?

Selling at deadline.

Again, why?

You think current team will do any good?

I'm honestly not sure, but as of right now their goal is to make the playoffs and even if they're far out I don't think they're moving Rust. It will be easier to move certain contracts after this season, so I think Hextall will make the necessary space to keep him.

The ONLY caveat is if they all of a sudden decide to pack it up and rebuild which I don't see happening any time soon.

Denisenko and a 2nd for a rental at the TDL? Nah, I'm good thanks

Cats are in win now mode, they should do whatever it takes to get them past TBL in the playoffs. IMO.

Florida controlled most of the series and took Tampa to game 6 without their best defenseman. And now Tampa lost their whole 3rd line while Florida added Reinhart. Cats could probably already beat them.

There's no need to throw that much away for one playoff push. It's better to build a strong team for years to come.

People seem to forget that the series went to 6 without Ekblad... and we were the only team that was really able to score on Vasi the whole playoffs

IMO the Panthers were Tampa's toughest opponent this spring. Gave a lot better fight than MTL or CAR.