No guys like Lehkonen Hagel Paul available this year, sorry

Define "a player like Lehkonen" is it a player who is great defensively who is underrated, plays well along the boards and is a playoff beast? If so you might be interested in Armia once healthy. Sure he is overpaid a bit but he shows up in the playoffs and could probably be had for a 3rd or 4th.

Mainly was getting at someone to boost 3rd/4th line that can maybe slot up if needed. In terms of style someone fast to add a little speed would be good.

Armia fits that bill too but he isn't exactly young at 29. He has the shot and skill to play middle 6 but is better suited to a 3rd or 4th line role. The issue is though his cap hit is too much for the Pens to take on without sending cap back and since McGinn is a similar player, that doesn't make sense either.

McGinn I would package with POJ for another team. Then Pens give a second maybe for someone at TDL similar to Rakell deal where the player is UFA at end of season so some salary can be retained. Some names I have in mind are Barbashev, Drouin, Anthanasiou.

Athanasiou? Can't imagine CHI being in the mix and the 1 year contract is helpful from the Pens prospective.

EDIT: Just read your comment where you listed him haha - my b

I think he'd be great, especially if they can retain salary wouldn't be a hit at all.

Moving McGinn only makes sense in the off-season IMO to free up space for another signing. I know people are hell-bent on moving him, but he's a good hockey player, so trading him mid-season isn't a great move IMO.

I also don't think there's any rush on moving POJ. Even though last night was a poop show, I thought he played well and I've been very critical of him. Should they ultimately move him? Only if he doesn't work out. The big issue is Dumoulin. I was really hoping last year was a symptom of his injuries and maybe he still needs a little time to ease back in from surgery, but he's not looking good. If the Pens decide to move on from him, having POJ and Smith makes a lot of financial sense for the Pens.

I think right now the Pens should stand pat and see how things shake out.

I think he would as well - I had him in all my ACGMs early on in the offseason haha

Hard to say a guy that's given up one high danger shot and has the highest xGF% amongst all defenseman on the team at 5v5 through 3 games is an issue or not looking good

id give jeff petry some time like we did w/ matheson. have him get used to the system. overall, this is a really deep team. deepest team since 2018 w/ good depth & promising prosepct to call up : pouls. doc, puust, smith, lindberg

For me it's less about wanting to move POJ and more about wanting to make room for Smith. I don't think he should stay in the AHL any longer at this point. McGinn isn't bad, but I just don't think it's worth it to pay a 4th liner 2.75 mil. Lots of guys like Poulin or O'Conner to replace him too. If we could drop his contract and use that money for an upgrade at TDL like we did last year I think that would be good. No rush on that though, just my thoughts now, but who knows what the teams needs will be come winter and spring.

McGinn is an odd situation in that he's both a luxury, but also not an ideal contract as far as term goes. He shouldn't be playing a 4th line, but due to the quality of our bottom six, that's where he is. So I'm not against moving him, but I just don't think it makes much sense now unless the Pens have a bigger move they're trying to make.

Smith definitely shouldn't be in the AHL, but it's a nice problem to have right now.

Smith and POJ have similar defensive issues, although POJ has started the season quite well. I don't think it is a big deal at all he spends a few months in the AHL while POJ shows what he can do, if only just to boost his trade value.