The NHL season is nearing its midway level and the commerce deadline is approaching. for Pittsburgh Penguins Basic Supervisor, Ron Heckstall, has some work forward of him in not solely securing a playoff spot for his group, but in addition giving them some chops to run if/once they get there.
The wants are very clear given the present weaknesses within the checklist.
They should do one thing concerning the third line place to assist enhance the underside six.
The underside six usually want a carry.
They might additionally must do one thing concerning the protection to present them one other potential top-four choice with the dramatic drop again of Brian Dumoulin.
With restricted wage cap house and a poor chance pool to work with, the Penguins do not have a lot wiggle room right here. However there’s all the time a method 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 the rest.
There’s all the time a method to the participant you need. It could take some work, however you will get there.
This week, Frank Serravalle is on the Each day Vesuv It was his most up-to-date buying and selling board It included an attention-grabbing penguin nugget that featured a comparatively shocking identify: 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 undecided 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 undecided Blueger — in a contract 12 months, 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 power. Particularly given Jeff Carter’s struggles within the third line function. And if you happen to’re buying and selling a Blueger, not solely does it additional solidify Carter on the third line level, however it creates one other gap within the place.
Trying by way of 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 in all probability will not be out there for guys like Erik Carlsson (wage cap house and enterprise belongings do not exist), Matthias Ekholm, or John Kellenberg. I am additionally undecided 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 a good participant who’s a bit overrated as a result of he has a club-friendly contract with a set time period and he was a giant season two years in the past. However I’m intrigued by the concept of somebody like Vladislav Gavrikov from Columbus. He is a stable defender, has some offensive capacity, and his contract ($2.8 million wage cap) could be very reasonably priced 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 it’s important to assume they will be in vendor mode, and whereas Roslovitch is not actually somebody who looks like he ought to commerce with them, he is somebody who could possibly be on the transfer. Particularly if Columbus will get a suggestion he cannot refuse. He was signed after this season (hit the $4 million wage cap) so it could be a “hockey commerce” to make it worthwhile for Columbus. However I like the concept of having somebody like that in your third line behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as a result of he may truly be capable of deliver some offense to that line.
I do not know if the penguins, at this level, must cope with Kabanin. I feel they should let Kapanen play a bit bit extra and provides him a place that may assist lead a line.
Max Dumy can also be on the checklist, and Chicago will nearly definitely cross him on, however I do not know easy methods to really feel about that choice both. Domi is a inventive offensive participant and may definitely put up some scoring, however he is a whole zero defensively nearly to the purpose of being a legal responsibility. They want extra assault from that spot, however I am undecided they want somebody everybody a criminal offense. He additionally takes many penalties, and whereas the Penguins’ PK is likely one of the finest within the league, the actually finest method to get an awesome penalty kick is to not have to make use of it.