because it makes the Pens a worse team????

because Duchene isn't what the pens need and you're giving up 5 roster players, including 2 defensemen to make it happen. Merrill and pouliot are both down grades who might not deserve to make the roster and there not guarantee that Despres is symptom free from his major concussion or that he'll be playing this year.

You're defense stinks for you to pay $6m to a pseudo-star to play 3C. Karlsson can play 3C with Rowny at 4C ... but I don't think that trade makes as much sense either. You're giving hornqvist and cole for karlson and Merrill ... which are both lesser players, just younger, and you're throwing in wilson and a pick. Over pay IMO. Hornqvist and Wilson should get Karlsson and Merril and maybe more. Even with Hornqvist being UFA next season, Vegas will be moving a rental for picks and prospects at the deadline.

I would say to take Rust out of the first deal and Cole out of the second deal. It wouldn't get it done for Duchene, but Sakic wants too much anyway. He would want Sprong or Aston-Reese. I would say No.