Unfortunately we are going to have to trade at least one winger before then.

You guys need some centers, especially for the third line.

Dumo and Sheary both demand prox 4M+
Not surprised if Sheary gets one-year after arbitration



Fortunatley for a solid 3C or a stagnated center will become a solid 3C by fortune

My concern would be the PK forwards.

Would have traded with DAL for Eakin someday, not enough picks to trade with Vegas... so sad
That would be a great gingered rust 3rd line Wilson -Eakin - Rust

I agree.
It might have to be Connor Sheary. I don't think $1.2m is what his agent is thinking or he'd already be signed. They might be looking at his points per game and the fact he got over 20g and 50pts and possibly thinking $4m or more. He might have his rights traded to save the cap hit and get 3rd Center, and possible more.

It could also be Haglen, though he's Crosby's buddy. 2x cup winner with world class speed, but $4m on our roster doesn't make sense. We're getting that scoring from people making less and have wingers to move up. He played limited time last year and we were able to make do without him, including in the play offs. We have a LOT of winger prospects, including Kuhnackl who's just on the bus most of the time.

I'd hate to have to bank on Aston-Reese at 3rd or 4th center. He has to adjust to the speed and strength, but also to taking face offs at the NHL level. Hard for center to just step in.

I still think Eakin is possibility.

We might not give up picks but something that's worth picks, like forward that's won a 2 Stanley cups. For deadline deals usually teams over pay.

Don't know... either smth around Hagelin and Pouliot or smth around Pouliot, a prospect or/and pick(s) and Eakin's salary retention (more attractive both parties I think)

Make it a package. Vegas has to many D and would like to sell their expensive guys, but we don't nee them. The do have a pretty sweet RFA.

Hagelan, DeSmith, Kuhnackl, maybe a 5-7th rounder, and I think we might get Eakin (retain $500-800k) and RFA defenseman Nate Schmidt, which makes a defenseman expendable. So you can move Maatta's $4.1m, or trade Dumoulin's rights, etc. Schmidt is probably going to take $2.8-3.5m to sign. Moving Matta, at 23, and keeping Domulin, at 26, with Schmidt, also 26, and you lose a little bit of salary and potentially pick up a another Center, who can also play wing.

Maatta for Adam Henrique, maybe a 4th or 5th pick going either direction to send it over the top? Shero drafted him and signed him to the deal he did.

Like that with Vegas. Schmidt-Schultz pairing sounds good We'll need to find a german center in couple years then to have a german line
Ouch by the way we have him

Yeah, trading with NJ seems to be perspective. Shero might also still like Pouliot
Anyway Henrique sounds and looks like a no-brainer and a perfect fit as a 3C.

I also thought about Sheahan and Shore as younger alternatives, could have them both as 3C and 4C.
Have placed a team here...

Sheahan had a terrible season last year and I think he's a bit slow. Shore? ... Nick in LA I haven't really seen. Devin in Dallas might be hard to pry lose but they also have Faksa. I wouldn't mind either of them, and I've been thinking Dallas would make a great trading partner. I'd love to get one of those centers and S. Johns, even if it cost Sheary. Johns is a beast from what I've seen, which isnt much.

OTT has 2 solid centers I'd love, Pageau and Smith, but don't think we could get either. Maybe Smith for Cole, but I hate to part with Cole as our most physical defenseman, and to OTT who we could face in the playoffs.

I was think Flordia might like Maatta as well but I'm not big on Bjugstad (though he might be available to clear cap for a Kovalcuk deal as him and Dadonov were KHL teammates and friends). Sceviour is interesting, but he's crap for face offs as I understand it. Seems more like a winger. McCann looks like a prospect on the verge, but not a fix for Pens at 3 or 4th center now.

I'm not sure Sheahan is slow or opposite, didn't watch many besides Pens. Actually ive in GMT+3, got used to get up after 1st or 2nd intermission you know. But I checked him in FHM3, he has got good acc and pace. Well whatever I think he's got smth to take a shot for the price after that season.

https://capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/400303 That what I was thinking about, Shore and John's for Cole and Simon. Faksa is more an offensive forward, Shore fits better and has lower value. DAL could have a Defensive D with two rings and relevant experience for DAL to go on as a contender in a 'win now' mode. And we get a local guy, who can add grit instead of loosing Cole after the season ends. Don't know about the beast, but his speed might be a concern to fit in coach's hockey.

Well Pageau was great in the off-season and would be great on the 3rd but I don't think the Eastern team would like to trade with us except being overpaid, idk. Really got to like Eakin's idea, there is a opportunity to underpay, get some bonus here with; and he could as well play with Malkin and Kessel on the left to do the 2-way and help with faceoffs.