Way undervaluing Kunitz here, also how does this make the pens better

Actually the first two trades look kinda reasonable. Ericksson and Perron are similar and Lovejoy included. Shattenkirk a very good player who is reasonable priced for the next two years for a reasonable priced Hornquist for 3 years, the unknown Dumoulin and a pick in the 50s. If Pittsburg was looking for a solid Dman, might have to give a package like this.
Agree with Stormm about Kunitz. If Pens are making a Cup run, better keep Kunitz.

How does it make the Pens better? Check out that second pairing on D. Plots will fill a similar role on Geno's line that Horny would have. Sprong is a bit of a wild card, true, but he can fill that sniper role that Neal once did. Sundqvist is ready for the NHL, as is Simon. Any difference in this forward group than what we actually have would be made up for by a much improved D. Well, except for Sarge. He should probably retire, but he can potentially mentor Pooh and would be the spare D.

I don't think I'm undervaluing Kunitz at all. His play is clearly declining. It was obvious last year, despite all of the talk about an iron deficiency. That he will continue to be gifted a top 6 spot only hurts the Pens.

I agree with you on that hes declining, but he is still a top six forward and looks to be playing with Crosby and Kessel

You have Geno playing with two wingers that have a combined experience of 0 NHL games. Plotnikov may be able to handle the Top 6 spot, but that would be putting Sprong in the spotlight FARRR too early with no options to fall back on. Maybe if you keep Kunitz as the first LW, then play Eriksson as Geno's RW, but that Top 6 doesn't look anywhere near as good as it is with the current roster.

Kunitz doesn't have the wheels to keep up with Crosby and Kessel. Duper does, but he'll need some time to readjust after having been out so long. His lack of hands wouldn't be a detriment since he can also do all the little things that would give those two the space they need. So there's that as a fall back plan. Not that I really want to see Duper in the top six, since I think he'd bring more to the team on the third line.

Plots is hardly a rookie, and is already adjusting to the smaller ice. He looks better every game. So, that just leaves Sprong ... who I admitted already is a bit of a wild card. If he hits the wall in terms of play, one of Bonino, Fehr or BB can slide up if need be.

Personally, I'd prefer to keep Perron and Horny but there are two things. First, the writing is clearly on the wall as to how the FO views Perron. Second, we are not going to get very far with our current D group. If we still had Despres, things would be very different, but we don't and our D is weak. Yes, we have three of the highest scoring players in the league on the team ... and we're going to need them to produce to cover for all the goals the other team is going to be scoring. Flower is great, but he's human and can only do so much. The FO may be able to swing an upgrade on D using Perron as the centerpiece for a trade, but I don't know if the value is there to get a legit 2nd pairing D. I'm reasonably certain, however that Horny does.

So, in this scenario, I'm basically swapping Perron for a top six LHS and getting rid of the Rev, then using Horny to acquire a legit second pairing D in Shattenkirk. That leaves us with a top six that may not have as much NLH experience, but isn't lacking in skill and a capable defense. As for Kunitz, now is the time to move him, while he still has some value and we have internal options to replace him.

Agreed but for he could easily get a 3rd

Kunitz may be slowing but he's a vet with size that knows the game. The scariest thing to me about this roster is the fact that 4 of our 8 wingers have 0 games in the NHL... Two of them were even drafted this year.

Sprong is a great player, and may even earn that 9 game tryout, but he needs some time to develop. Sundqvist is hard to get a read on... He may or may not be ready, hard to tell without throwing him in. Plotnikov will definitely adjust, and is the only one of the 4 capable of Top6 time in my opinion. Simon... He definitely needs some minor time before he gets a shot at the big leagues.

Overall, I like the upgrade at defense, but I think it comes at too high of a cost to the offense. I like moving Perron, to me he's expendable if Plotnikov gets a Top 6 role, but I don't like losing Hornqvist and Kunitz and having to fill their spots with guys that really aren't ready.