Quoting: Hullsy09
I think a lot of the problems with Debrusk were with Cassidy, but now that he’s gone idk if there are still problems. I could see debrusk being a target but I wouldn’t move a first for him. I would maybe offer a 2nd, a 3rd and McGinn. I would also want to give him a look on Crosby’s line and try a guentzel-Malkin-rust line - just to try it and shake things up, could always go back if it doesn’t work.
Overall this is very well thought out and I agree with basically everything else. If the Debrusk thing doesn’t work out, I could see Marchment or Vatrano being options in UFA
I just looked at the LW UFA market and thought BLAH. Everyone was either going to be overpaid middle 6 wingers who you are hoping can play at a top 6 level, or legit top 6 guys commanding 5mil or higher. Which PIT really cant afford. So i started looking at either middle 6 forwards at a good price, or top 6 LWs that are on the block and Debrusk seemed like a good fit. I think your right, cassidy being gone really changes the landscape for Debrusk, but as far as the latest rumours are concerned he's still OTB.
There is a few people that you could target for 2nd line LW.
Pony up in FA for Burakovsky, Palat, Nichuskin, Neidereiter, etc
Risk it in FA on a middle 6 guy like Mikheyev, Domi, Marchment, etc
Resign a guy like EROD or Heinen for the top 6
Go after high value guys in a trade like JT Miller, or Necas
or go after mid value wingers in trade like Debrusk, or Kubalik. I prefer the last option.