Why sign Forsberg when you can sign Rust for over 3 million cheaper who put up similar if not better numbers this year

ah yes, those famous points per game players 3c that every teams have.

I don't disagree, but something tells me Forsberg playing with Crosby would be massive/fun to watch.

I also don't think Malkin takes that kind of pay cut though, which makes re-signing Rust over Forsberg make even more sense.

It would be fun to watch. Also Malkin said he doesnt want money in his next contract so I expect to to take at most 6 mil

Detroit accepts.

I'd rather the Ducks make a run at a winger to play with Zegras/Terry, but with Eakins for another year taking Zucker and a pick probably makes sense...if they got someone like Forsberg, Eakins would probably still fire Zegras out there with Derek f*ckin' Grant anyway.

Kessel was on the third and just shy of a point per game when they went back to back. The point is that most teams don't have 3 lines that could take over on any given night and this would create that.

Seeing Grant out there with Zegras is why I think the Ducks would work with this trade. Zucker may not be an all-star but thats a big step up.

i know. its more a remark on the ''realisticly this is where he is at''. pens have been accomodated too much to the luxury of their past line up and might not realize this is not a normal situation. i guess i dont really know what sort of deal malkin will be looking for, but i doubt he comes back as a 3c for pit. (mostly becaus there is gonna be a big bidding war on kadri and trocheck as the main ufa centers).

I mean, Milano/Zegras/Terry is the correct answer, and they've shown it, but Eakins is quite literally the worst. Picking up his contract option for next year is the first time I've been disappointed with Verbeek. My assumption (and hope?) is that the guy he wants long term isn't available this year, and he doesn't want to waste that bullet yet. I could see a situation where the right person becomes available mid-season and a change is made. I just really can't see a situation where he's still the coach of this team by Sept. 2023.

I'm curious to see how much of a cut he's willing to take. He's said a few times how much he wants to play with Sid and retire in Pittsburgh. He also has said how much he wants to win a 4th cup. If he takes more than that and they sign Rust over Forsberg it certainly isn't the end of the world.

Honestly if Eakins continues to bury guys like Comtois, Milano, etc over guys like Derek Grant and Carrick, Verbeek is just as much to blame for the stunted development and his hire immediately goes from great to terrible

Yeah, if he's willing to sign for $6 or something than it's a big win for you guys...I mean, I really don't think he goes anywhere, and this doesn't necessarily apply to Gino, but I'd certainly take anything that comes out of a players mouth with a grain of salt. It's not like they're going to badmouth the team or city...I just don't like that there's not already an extension there. Again, I think he signs, but if he wants to get paid, he's going to get paid.

Did you watch the game last night? 2 minutes in the first for Zegras...I didn't hear the clip, but apparently they said that Eakins thinks Zegras has hit a wall and is exhausted or something along those lines...then he proceeded to carry that line yet again

I think the words he used was Fragile and tired. Verbeek is on the hot seat already for me personally, picking up the option on Eakins is beyond baffling honestly. Took all the wind out of the sails after a great deadline. Literally nobody connected to the Ducks should want Eakins back, if we arent ready to hire a new outside coach we should have promoted Bouchard.

Verbeek has done so much damage to our future by keeping Eakins around

Eakins may legitimately be the worst coach in NHL history when you factor in how many seasons hes been behind a bench without a single good season to show for it

I was ecstatic with the deadline work that Verbeek did, but yeah, this is baffling. I still think that it's just a case of him not wanting to waste a bullet on Eakins when the guy(s) that he wants aren't available yet, but I absolutely do not get the whole "Let's bench Zegras, but ohhhh, Sam Steel just gave the puck away and directly caused a goal against, but we're going to fire him right back out next shift".

Like, Mo Seider is going to win the Calder, and I couldn't give two craps about individual awards, but Zegras is out there sitting 2nd in points per game by a rookie, and he's spent the majority of the season with Derek friggin' Grant.

RANNNNNNT.

I think it's cause Forsberg would be an absolute beast playing with Crosby. It would elevate him to insane numbers.

I don't mind these moves at all

Honestly for me, Picking up the option on Eakins undid all the good the deadline did and then some. Overall the Verbeek Era has been more bad than good just from that alone.

Not having the guys you want available is a horrid reason to keep a guy like Eakins around (I know you arent justifying it haha)

The handling of Zegras (and Comtois, Terry last year, Milano, Drysdale, I can go on) is enough of a reason to fire Eakins today and not look back. Verbeek has made me lose all faith in him as our GM by doing that. Thats a decision that will hang on him the rest of his career and now he is part responsible for how Eakins sets his lineups and stunts the growth of our younger players.

I hate to go there but its a Bob Murray-esque move

Zegras has the potential to be the biggest star in the league, both from a marketing and on-ice perspective, He is easily the most valuable piece the Ducks have ever had (Yes Im counting Teemu and Kariya in there)

Eakins and know Verbeek could potentially ruin his confidence and marketability in less than a year.

I wouldnt even be mad if Verbeek follows Eakins out the door at this point

This rant is probably better served elsewhere though haha

Hahaha, I don't disagree with any of this. I'm just hoping the justification wasn't "But didn't you see where Eakins had them for the first half of the season?!".

Detroit accepts but if you're walking Kapanen we'll take him too.

Detroit accepts, And it's doubtful that Forsberg takes anything less then $9,000,000 on the open market.