He is playing well, though. Having his best defensive season while 14th in points amongst all dmen, all with brand new club and systems. Arguably the strongest underlying numbers (3rd best xGF and CF% and best HDCF%) of career. On pace for 60+ points despite the horribly producing power play. He had 32 points on the PP last season, 17 so far this season.
- MattStrat

Then why in the hell would you want to get rid of him?

Then why in the hell would you want to get rid of him?
- jmatchett383

I dont....and see edit.

I dont....and see edit.
- MattStrat

Gotcha. But that's my point. If he's playing well, you keep him because he's playing well.

Gotcha. But that's my point. If he's playing well, you keep him because he's playing well.
- jmatchett383

He is playing well overall, very well in my opinion. There are a lot of turnovers though and they really stick out, especially when a team isn't performing to expectations. He's 4th in all situations giveaways amongst d-men and Ive seen a lot of them. A lot of them are from confusion and hesitations on that sh!t PP. However, he is also 11th in all situations takeaways. I do feel that negates some of the giveaways.

I find it crazy he has so many giveaways yet there is a lot less shots and high danger chances against the Pens when he's on the ice than there are for the Pens against the opposition.

You said Malkin, not Draisaitl. Heck that's not even RNH. You MAY get a 1st and a good prospect.

Also, EK is not going to get you "top value." The Pens basically married EK when they traded for him, and look at what they gave up, a heap of trash and a 2 picks. At his age and cap hit coupled with his numbers this year, why would another team offer more than that?
- jmatchett383

We also got San Jose's 3rd pick in the '26 draft. That seems to be a hot commodity around here these days.

He is playing well overall, very well in my opinion. There are a lot of turnovers though and they really stick out, especially when a team isn't performing to expectations. He's 4th in all situations giveaways amongst d-men and Ive seen a lot of them. A lot of them are from confusion and hesitations on that sh!t PP. However, he is also 11th in all situations takeaways. I do feel that negates some of the giveaways.

I find it crazy he has so many giveaways yet there is a lot less shots and high danger chances against the Pens when he he's on the ice than there are for the Pens against the opposition.
- MattStrat

So for 10 million in cap space we got a guy whose good cancels out his bad therefore he’s like neutral. No thanks. It was a dumb move.

So for 10 million in cap space we got a guy whose good cancels out his bad therefore he’s like neutral. No thanks. It was a dumb move.
- Grinder47

EK has been playing like a $7-8M D man, which is far greater value than Petry + Granlund.

EK has been playing like a $7-8M D man, which is far greater value than Petry + Granlund.
- MickV

Exactly.

Que someone bringing up Granlunds stats this season....

So for 10 million in cap space we got a guy whose good cancels out his bad therefore he’s like neutral. No thanks. It was a dumb move.
- Grinder47

If you're just looking at giveaways/takeaways, sure haha...but 60+ point dman?...thats only happened 5 times for the Penguins in the last 25 years...two times Tanger, two times Gonchar and 1 time Larry Murphy....and they all were on anywhere from good to great PP's in those seasons. The sh!t PP this season has a lot of blame, not just Ek.

Top 3 in giveaways for all skaters in all situations this season:

1) Kucherov
2) Forsberg
3) Draisaitl

Only Drais (+2) has more takeaways than give aways of these three. Kuch (-26) and Forsberg (-21) have a bigger discrepancy of GA/TA's than Ek (-19) does.

EDIT: I think Jakob Chychrun has the worst GA/TA discrepency at -46...crazy

Gotcha. But that's my point. If he's playing well, you keep him because he's playing well.
- jmatchett383

I only disagree in that EK is a player that if wants to move you look into moving him. So, if EK really wanted to go to team X and team X is willing to give you fair value, then I think you do it.

Rust is absolutely core for me, Jake too. Both much more so than Ek. In fact, I dont consider Ek core at all hahah
- MattStrat

I agree on this, I like Rust and feel like him and Jake are core more so then Ek. I also agree with Mac. If they are going to pay highly for both Rust and Jake and give us young talent, picks and prospects for each Jake and Rust. I would consider it.

I do feel with Ek and Graves it is their first year to adjust. I remember Matheson taking a season to adjust then he was one of our best defenseman (even though he was traded after 2 seasons lol).

We also got San Jose's 3rd pick in the '26 draft. That seems to be a hot commodity around here these days.
- Thunderbolt

It's the epitome of not seeing the forest through the trees. If the guy is legit a 15 goal scorer a year and takes a regular shift for the next few years, why worry about a 3rd rounder in TWO drafts from now? That likely wouldn't take a shift until 2029. FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.

Fans in all fanbases do this and it's hilarious

So... Someone correct me if I am wrong.

We are 7 points out of a playoff spot held by the Flyers, with 4 games in hand. That is a possible 8 points to make up.


Do we control our own destiny when it comes to making the playoffs?

So for 10 million in cap space we got a guy whose good cancels out his bad therefore he’s like neutral. No thanks. It was a dumb move.
- Grinder47

Agree, it was a dumb trade.

So... Someone correct me if I am wrong.

We are 7 points out of a playoff spot held by the Flyers, with 4 games in hand. That is a possible 8 points to make up.


Do we control our own destiny when it comes to making the playoffs?
- Guile

They really do control their own destiny and there really is a chance. However, they have shown zero ability to consistently win and they are now without their top two wingers haha. They play a four game western road trip this week starting against the #1 ranked team in the league tonight in their barn, in a crazy different time zone...and also play the Oilers this Sunday in the second game of a back to back for them. So, I wouldnt put money on them getting in this season haha

Mike or Steve?
- jmatchett383

Wade..

I only disagree in that EK is a player that if wants to move you look into moving him. So, if EK really wanted to go to team X and team X is willing to give you fair value, then I think you do it.
- MickV

Nobody is taking EK and that salary without Pens retaining and sweetening package. Who wants a 10M guy clearly on the downswing. The only team who wanted Ek last yr coming off a Norris trophy was Pens and his value has gone down even more since. Pens wouldn't get any assets for him they are stuck with him and that salary

We are a week and a half away from the deadline... Dubas needs to get his ass in gear.

Must Happen:
1. Trade Smith ASAP - who cares what the return is. Whether we get a 2nd or 3rd or 5th, I don't care. I just want the cap space in the offseason.

2. Trade Jake - I am sure we can get a 1st, 2nd and a prospect from multiple teams.

Would like to see happen:
1. Trade Rackell - going to have to take back salary. Ideally I'd like to trade him + some assets for a better player on a contract. Like Rackell & a 1st from the Jake trade to Arizona for Crouse, a 2024 3rd & 2025 3rd. Or better yet, let them keep the picks and take Graves.

2. Trade Jarry - he is at peak value in a market thirsty for goalies. I really want Fleury back next season in a tandem, but there will be plenty of options in the offseason. Something like:
Jarry to Toronto for Robertson, a mid pick & Samsonov.
Jarry to the Kings for Talbot, Turcotte/Kaliyev & a 2nd.
Jarry to the Wings for Husso (cheap BO in offseason), Berggeren & a 2nd.

3. Listen on Malkin - He seems a bit uninterested, and I can't necessarily blame him looking at the quality of wingers he has been playing with. Carolina, Dallas, Colorado all have the assets and would likely pay big. Florida seems like a natural fit but they don't have the juice. It would have to be a pretty massive return to do something of course. I'm talking multiple 1st round picks and an NHL ready prospect. Even that I am not entirely sold on but we need to consider all options.

Probably makes more sense in the offseason:
1. Trade Graves. Ideally trade him with some assets for a 2LD upgrade.
2. Look into a Karlsson trade. I think Ottawa, Anaheim & Seattle would all be in on him big time. It would have to be a top value return to trade him but those teams have the juice to do a deal.
- MacPatty

In no way do I want to diminish Malkin's accomplishments but no one is giving you that for a 37 years old player. The time for getting a big haul for him is in the past.

The GM who would do that deal would be commiting career suicide.

I find the EK hate pretty easy to understand. He is a good dman that creates more chances than he gives up. He is net positive in pretty much every area.

It's the way he gives up chances. Right or wrong it's infuriating to see a player of his caliber make the mistakes he does.

In just the last 3 games he has made mistakes that a peewee player should not make that led to goals. I can understand the grief he gets.

Same can be applied to Tanger.

Nobody is taking EK and that salary without Pens retaining and sweetening package. Who wants a 10M guy clearly on the downswing. The only team who wanted Ek last yr coming off a Norris trophy was Pens and his value has gone down even more since. Pens wouldn't get any assets for him they are stuck with him and that salary
- hfc355

How do you feel about Fox, and his only 500k less cap hit than Ek, on your Rangers?

Nobody is taking EK and that salary without Pens retaining and sweetening package. Who wants a 10M guy clearly on the downswing. The only team who wanted Ek last yr coming off a Norris trophy was Pens and his value has gone down even more since. Pens wouldn't get any assets for him they are stuck with him and that salary
- hfc355

Yes, that's obvious. Like I said, he's playing like a $7-8M D man. His cap hit is $10M, so he's got about $2-3M negative value, but players like that get moved all the time (we'd either take on a contract with equally negative value or maybe throw in a pick or another player). He could turn it around next year and be close to his cap hit in value.

I don't expect him to be traded. I was just replying to a comment that the Pens wouldn't want to trade him if he's playing well, but I think they would if EK wanted to move and there was a team that wanted him.

Would you trade all three players Guentzel, Rust, and Pettersson. If it meant you got a 1st, Top Prospect, and additional pick/prospect back for each? I personally wouldn't move Pettersson or Rust. If the right offer came along I would listen though.

Yes, that's obvious. Like I said, he's playing like a $7-8M D man. His cap hit is $10M, so he's got about $2-3M negative value, but players like that get moved all the time (we'd either take on a contract with equally negative value or maybe throw in a pick or another player). He could turn it around next year and be close to his cap hit in value.

I don't expect him to be traded. I was just replying to a comment that the Pens wouldn't want to trade him if he's playing well, but I think they would if EK wanted to move and there was a team that wanted him.
- MickV

This is probably the most reasonable take I've seen. So let's assume EK is a good player this year being overpaid a bit.

My question would be, when you consider the cost of moving him, plus the cost to aquire a replacement, is it worth it? Top four RHD don't grow on trees. And I doubt they clear EK's salary without paying a price.

It's the epitome of not seeing the forest through the trees. If the guy is legit a 15 goal scorer a year and takes a regular shift for the next few years, why worry about a 3rd rounder in TWO drafts from now? That likely wouldn't take a shift until 2029. FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.

Fans in all fanbases do this and it's hilarious
- Aaron_85

If he's a legit 15 goal scorer, no issues.

If he lucks into 6 goals then reverts back to the same player he's been so far it's a bad price to pay.

It's a mistake and possible overpay to set that condition. But I'll agree at least we are talking about it too much.

I don't really understand getting him shortly after signing Puljujarvi and already having Puustinen. Feels like 3 pretty similar RWs.

Would you trade all three players Guentzel, Rust, and Pettersson. If it meant you got a 1st, Top Prospect, and additional pick/prospect back for each? I personally wouldn't move Pettersson or Rust. If the right offer came along I would listen though.
- 123Kid

If the return was that high for Petterson yeah I'd consider it and find a replacement in the off-season.

Rust, I'd be surprised if he got that and we could make him waive his clause. And I'd be more hesitant after trading Guentzel. So I'd really have to think on that one but lean no.