The NHL season is nearing its midway level and the commerce deadline is approaching. for Pittsburgh Penguins Normal Supervisor, Ron Heckstall, has some work forward of him in not solely securing a playoff spot for his crew, but additionally giving them some chops to run if/after they get there.
The wants are very clear given the present weaknesses within the checklist.
They should do one thing in regards to the third line place to assist enhance the underside six.
The underside six usually want a raise.
They might additionally have to do one thing in regards to the protection to offer them one other potential top-four choice with the dramatic drop again of Brian Dumoulin.
With restricted wage cap area and a poor likelihood pool to work with, the Penguins do not have a lot wiggle room right here. However there’s at all times a approach to make issues work. As many groups have proven over time, together with the Penguins, the wage cap tends to be extra of a suggestion than anything.
There’s at all times a approach to the participant you need. It could take some work, however you may get there.
This week, Frank Serravalle is on the Every day Vesuv It was his most up-to-date buying and selling board It included an fascinating penguin nugget that featured a comparatively stunning title: Teddy Blogger.
The logic is that if the penguins wish to give away Casprei Kabanen’s necklace, they could have to connect somebody like Blueger to it as an incentive. I am unsure how I really feel about that as a result of not solely do the Penguins have already got issues within the backside six with no cope with Blueger, however I am unsure Blueger — in a contract yr, no much less — can be sufficient incentive for somebody to tackle the rest of the Kabanin deal.
The Blueger has been considerably disappointing for me this season, no less than when it comes to enjoying 5-on-5. His return to the lineup coincided with an enchancment in penalty kicks, however I hoped to get extra out of him with equal energy. Particularly given Jeff Carter’s struggles within the third line position. And for those who’re buying and selling a Blueger, not solely does it solidify Carter on the third line level, nevertheless it creates one other gap within the place.
Wanting via the remainder of Seravalli’s commerce checklist for potential penguin targets, and there are a pair that stand out to me.
On the defensive, the Penguins most likely will not be out there for guys like Erik Carlsson (wage cap area and enterprise property do not exist), Matthias Ekholm, or John Kellenberg. I am additionally unsure how I really feel about Jacob Cicciron at this level, both as a participant or a possible enterprise goal for the Penguins. I really feel he is an honest participant who’s a bit overrated as a result of he has a club-friendly contract with a hard and fast time period and he was a giant season two years in the past. However I’m intrigued by the thought of somebody like Vladislav Gavrikov from Columbus. He is a stable defender, has some offensive potential, and his contract ($2.8 million wage cap) may be very inexpensive as a lease.
I additionally like one other Columbus participant who is maybe an unseen addition to the third line enchancment place: Jack Roslovic.
Columbus Season is a complete mess and you must assume they’re going to be in vendor mode, and whereas Roslovitch is not actually somebody who looks like he ought to commerce with them, he is somebody who might be on the transfer. Particularly if Columbus will get a proposal he cannot refuse. He was signed after this season (hit the $4 million wage cap) so it might be a “hockey commerce” to make it worthwhile for Columbus. However I like the thought of having somebody like that in your third line behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as a result of he would possibly really be capable to carry some offense to that line.
I do not know if the penguins, at this level, have to cope with Kabanin. I feel they should let Kapanen play a little bit bit extra and provides him a place that may assist lead a line.
Max Dumy can be on the checklist, and Chicago will nearly actually cross him on, however I do not know easy methods to really feel about that choice both. Domi is a artistic offensive participant and may actually put up some scoring, however he is an entire zero defensively nearly to the purpose of being a legal responsibility. They want extra assault from that spot, however I am unsure they want somebody everybody a criminal offense. He additionally takes many penalties, and whereas the Penguins’ PK is likely one of the greatest within the league, the actually greatest approach to get an important penalty kick is to not have to make use of it.