Thanks for your explanation. I'm surprised how well Petry has played in Montreal (after a middling stint as an Oiler), so I really don't think he would be available. And Kunitz, I think the Pens have to keep him.
How's these trades, using your pieces.....Bowmeester for Hornquist. Similar term and salary, might help both teams needs. Don't think the Ducks would trade Vatanen, but you're right, Hagelin might find his game as a Pen. How's this.....Hagelin for Perron and Cole. Similar salaries, gives Ducks some cap flexibility starting next year,

Petry has played really well for the Habs. Would he be available for a player like Hornqvist? Maybe. Emelin's play has improved this year, also. How much of that is due to playing as a pairing? Hard to say. Cole isn't a top pairing D, but he should be fine on the second pair ... especially with MT as his coach. I think part of Cole's issues stem from Agnew, both in St. Louis and then with the Pens.

The Pens absolutely do not have to keep Kunitz. While his more recent play has been better, he's no spring chicken. He's clearly declining, and if we can upgrade his spot now, all the better. The Blues have zero need for Hornqvist. They don't really need Kunitz either, but he could slot into their 3LW spot. Mostly it's about cap space on the Pens end, and a lack of forward prospects we'd be willing to trade. The main piece in that deal would be Pouliot, and the only reason I'd be willing to trade him is because adding JBo would lock up the LHD for a couple of years.

The Ducks are rumored to be shopping Vatanen. Whether or not that trade gets it done, well, 'unrealistic' was part of the thread title The Ducks have no use for Cole. They really don't need Lovejoy, per say, but with Despres out indefinitely, he gives them a short term solution to the Fowler pairing since the two had some chemistry before. I don't really want to give Bonino up, but Fehr works just as well as a 3C. I think Perron has enough value that a pick shouldn't be needed since we'd be adding Bones and taking back a $4M player in Hagelin who isn't fitting into their system at all. Hagelin may not work with Sid either ... maybe we can send him to NYR for Etem if he doesn't work out

But, back to Kunitz ... I just don't understand why folks think he's that important. I'm not being snarky here ... I'm genuinely puzzled. Kunitz has been playing better with Sid recently, but the guy is in decline. If we acquired Hagelin, that would bump Kunitz into the bottom 6, where he's killed every line he's been on. Plus, as far as the bottom 6 goes, we have younger. less expensive options to replace him in house. Like Simon.