SEA isn't doing that. SEA isn't trading a first round pick any time soon because of the uncertainty of how they will do in the season.

Pens decline that. If we want Forsberg we can just just sign him in FA

We can get more for Forsberg and Ekholm imo. Granny isn;' worth a 1st imo either

I think the reasoning here is that PIT takes one last kick at the can, then starts rebuilding next season when lots of the aging core comes off the books.

That being said, NSH doesn't consider this. A 1st, a low ceiling prospect, and a bottom six forward doesn't get the conversation started.

They won’t start rebuilding until Crosby retires. Malkin and Letang will likely re-sign to lesser contracts to retire with Sid.
Hallander isn’t a low ceiling prospect. I mean I guess that’s relative to what you consider low ceiling. My idea of low ceiling is 4th liner or worse. Hallander has a ceiling of 2nd liner. He will most likely fall in that middle 6 range. However I do agree that Nashville could get more elsewhere, especially retaining 3 million. The pens are high on Hallander and don’t have any interest in giving up prospects or 1st rounders unless it’s for a player with longer term and top line ability.

Four more years before starting a rebuild sounds unwise to me - the core is getting pretty old, and there isn't much in the way of young talent coming up to help out.

I think Hallander will have a nice career in the bottom six, but I can't see him ever being more than a 3rd liner at best. He's a solid bet to make it to the show, but I don't see him playing as high in the lineup as you do. To me, that's a low ceiling. PIT does seem to believe in him though.

Obviously, Forsberg doesn't come with term, but I don't think anyone can deny he has top line ability.

Hextall has said repeatedly that the Pens' 1st & 2nds are off limits.

The pens and the fans know that after Crosby, there are going to be some rough years. There’s no denying that. So there is no point to start it while we do have Crosby. It would just be unfair to Crosby. They are going to try to win as long as he is playing. And the pens have so much cap space next year they can theoretically re-open their window by going after Barkov and/or Hertl. Especially if Hallander, POJ, Poulin, Legare, etc do make big impacts. I really don’t think Malkin especially and Letang get big contracts. I can see them taking 5x5 contracts with full NMC’s to help the team out since the new CBA relaxes on 35+ contracts as long as they are spread out evenly and not front or back loaded.
And I’m not denying Forsberg has top line ability. He’d be great in Pittsburgh. It’s just his lack of term. If the pens were able to extend him to a reasonable contract then I’d say go for it. But Nashville could still get better elsewhere since we don’t have a deep farm system.