Ryan Wilson: Penguins to have unique venue for preseason game Penguins to have unique venue for preseason game

Jake is going to get paid. No doubt about it.

Laine is only interesting if CBJ is willing to retain a lot or take Graves. If so, then he could be great on the PP, though not sure where he'd fit in the forward lines.

How is it only Game 5 it's June 17?
- MickV

In the Pens situation, I would consider adding Laine without retention if it kept the price down because we just don't have much to offer. Sending back Smith sure. Graves feels like a hard sell, nobody sees themselves wanting five years term.

Lines is an issue. I kind of like that third line idea. But more likely I'd bump Bunting up with Sid and put DOC with Malkin and Laine to be the line's defensive conscious. Or target a better two way player at LW. Just feels like if you want to get offense value from adding Laine I'd rather use Malkin than Eller. Plus assuming we still have Rackell he's not much better defensively anyways so he can bump down as the third line scorer.

Kraft Hockeyville is a cool thing. My hometown hockey rink won it a number of years ago (I had moved away since then) but it is a pretty cool thing that gets local communities excited. Surprised they dont do something similar in the US.

Going to transition that to talking about trading Smith. A few potential deals:

1. Smith (1/2 ret) to Vegas for Roy. After trading for Hertl, Vegas doesnt really need Roy as much and might want to bring back Smith. I think it would be a nice luxury having both Roy and Eller who are capable of holding down the 3C spot at a pretty good cap hit. The only thing I don't like about Roy is he sucks on faceoffs, but he has produced pretty well while deployed in a more defensive oriented role.

2. Smith & Pens 2nd & 4th round picks to the Avs for their 1st rounder. The Avs have some long term contract unknowns with Nich & Landekog, so having a solid middle six winger on a one year deal will carry some value for them. Not likely a top prospect falls to them there but who knows. No salary back would be a bonus for us.

3. Smith & Pens 2nd to Dallas for Dadonov & Dal 1st. Dadonov sucks but I'd take some cap relief and an upgrade in draft pick here. I'd probably turn around and buy him out for $750k for the next 2 years but you could also keep him as a bottom 6 option with some offensive pulse.

4. Smith to Tampa for Cirelli. Tampa needs cap space this year and beyond to re-sign Stamkos and Hedman. Cirelli is an ideal but materially overpaid 3C, but one that I could see at some point pushing Malkin to the wing and playing 2C. The good thing about Cirellis contract is the payments were heavily front loaded, so the last 4 years of the contract the actual salary is $1.5M less than his cap hit which could be helpful if we need to salary dump down the line.

I think I like this one the best because I see upside in Cirelli but I dont think it could be that simple. Would likely need to be other pieces involved.

Kraft Hockeyville is a cool thing. My hometown hockey rink won it a number of years ago (I had moved away since then) but it is a pretty cool thing that gets local communities excited. Surprised they dont do something similar in the US.

Going to transition that to talking about trading Smith. A few potential deals:

1. Smith (1/2 ret) to Vegas for Roy. After trading for Hertl, Vegas doesnt really need Roy as much and might want to bring back Smith. I think it would be a nice luxury having both Roy and Eller who are capable of holding down the 3C spot at a pretty good cap hit. The only thing I don't like about Roy is he sucks on faceoffs, but he has produced pretty well while deployed in a more defensive oriented role.

2. Smith & Pens 2nd & 4th round picks to the Avs for their 1st rounder. The Avs have some long term contract unknowns with Nich & Landekog, so having a solid middle six winger on a one year deal will carry some value for them. Not likely a top prospect falls to them there but who knows. No salary back would be a bonus for us.

3. Smith & Pens 2nd to Dallas for Dadonov & Dal 1st. Dadonov sucks but I'd take some cap relief and an upgrade in draft pick here. I'd probably turn around and buy him out for $750k for the next 2 years but you could also keep him as a bottom 6 option with some offensive pulse.

4. Smith to Tampa for Cirelli. Tampa needs cap space this year and beyond to re-sign Stamkos and Hedman. Cirelli is an ideal but materially overpaid 3C, but one that I could see at some point pushing Malkin to the wing and playing 2C. The good thing about Cirellis contract is the payments were heavily front loaded, so the last 4 years of the contract the actual salary is $1.5M less than his cap hit which could be helpful if we need to salary dump down the line.

I think I like this one the best because I see upside in Cirelli but I dont think it could be that simple. Would likely need to be other pieces involved.
- MacPatty

Cirelli is Tampa's 2C. Paul is their 3C I believe.

Are you from Johnstown Macpatty?

Cirelli is Tampa's 2C. Paul is their 3C I believe.
- j.boyd919

Doesn’t matter either way. That’s a stupid trade for Tampa.

Doesn’t matter either way. That’s a stupid trade for Tampa.
- Feds91Stammer

Probably why I like it so much. Thought he was being deployed in a 3C role with some PK time but could be wrong. I only mentioned him because one of the TSN guys was referenced him as a possible cap dump for Tampa a few weeks back.

Probably why I like it so much. Thought he was being deployed in a 3C role with some PK time but could be wrong. I only mentioned him because one of the TSN guys was referenced him as a possible cap dump for Tampa a few weeks back.
- MacPatty

I'd be surprised if they moved Cirelli. He plays a pretty key role for them. Can't see how they bring back Stamkos, but I'd say Cirelli is more important (or at least he's so much younger I'd go that route).

Was my question.

I’m from Altoona…

Ava are so locked up it's weird to think how they're going to restock with like $16 million in cap space and a decent amount of spots to fill. Does that make the rights to Mittelstadt available to someone out there?

Not seeing how they'll help the Pens with a trade, but fantasizing they want Graves back or a goalie swap with Jarry. Pure fantasy.

Probably why I like it so much. Thought he was being deployed in a 3C role with some PK time but could be wrong. I only mentioned him because one of the TSN guys was referenced him as a possible cap dump for Tampa a few weeks back.
- MacPatty

He makes the most sense to move because they have a couple weeks before his trade clause kicks in and he’s overrated enough to get selke votes so it wouldn’t be a true cap dump.

Was my question.

I’m from Altoona…
- Brownsoldier

I’m from Somerset but played a lot at the war memorial where they won the Kraft hockey thing years back.

I think I’m more in the boat if see if Smith has a bounce back year than Laine.

I think I’m more in the boat if see if Smith has a bounce back year than Laine.
- Grinder47

I wouldn't want to bring back someone who doesn't want to be here. If it wasn't for that maybe.

So how would you handle these three free agency issues?

POJ- rfa this year, UFA in 2 years. Solid but hasn't stood out yet. Could be in line for a big bump in playing time assuming he is competing with Graves and is at an experience point where his play could jump over the next two years. Do you sign him to an extension into his UFA years hoping it pays off?

I don't. With Pettersson ahead and Pickering behind I try to keep him cheap for the next couple years then deal with UFA when it comes. I would bring him back even if it's a modest raise to compete with Graves.

Pettersson- UFA next year at age 29. Clear top LHD and in line for a big raise. Similar situation to Guentzel who the Pens did let walk rather than extend another player into their 30s. Do you extend him early?

I would. It would be pretty shocking if Graves and POJ both played well enough enough to be comfortable with them as both top fours in a year. Pickering may or may not push for a spot, but I'd make room another way. Don't know what Hextall will do though and I could see at least waiting to see what Graves, POJ, Ludwig, and Pettersson do this year.

I wouldn't want to bring back someone who doesn't want to be here. If it wasn't for that maybe.
- Tojo.

One thing no one has brought up on the Laine thing is how much Sullivan would (frank)ing hate him, which makes it a really high probability that he’d suck here. We really should not get him.

Making separate post but last one is DOC.

One year from UFA. Coming off a bit of a breakout season where he got a lot more top six time than expected. Most people do want to slot him in as a third liner, but it isn't that hard to see him get top six time and even net front 2nd PP time and have an even bigger year. Regardless a valuable role player as he's also a PKer and among the youngest and fastest top nine forwards.

So do you extend him early or wait and see and risk his value increasing? I try to sign him for good third liner money 3.5-4M?) on a multi year deal. I feel fine gambling he'd be worth that and there's a chance it looks like a bargain in a year. I'd prefer a two year bridge type in the 2.5M range, but I'm going to assume he wouldn't sign that low.

I wouldn't want to bring back someone who doesn't want to be here. If it wasn't for that maybe.
- Tojo.

I mean that’s all hear say. Smith and Malkin ran on adrenaline for a couple of weeks but I don’t think they mesh. Smith doesn’t do east west. Starting the year
Smith-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell isn’t the worst thing in the world. I’d focus on getting third line wingers and some hammers for a hit to end careers 4th line.

I mean that’s all hear say. Smith and Malkin ran on adrenaline for a couple of weeks but I don’t think they mesh. Smith doesn’t do east west. Starting the year
Smith-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell isn’t the worst thing in the world. I’d focus on getting third line wingers and some hammers for a hit to end careers 4th line.
- Grinder47

Both Smith and the Pens agree it’s best to move on…

I mean that’s all hear say. Smith and Malkin ran on adrenaline for a couple of weeks but I don’t think they mesh. Smith doesn’t do east west. Starting the year
Smith-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell isn’t the worst thing in the world. I’d focus on getting third line wingers and some hammers for a hit to end careers 4th line.
- Grinder47

Every reporter on the beat said smith was a problem in the locker room.

Are you from Johnstown Macpatty?
- Grinder47

Grew up in a place called Kingsville Ontario.

Every reporter on the beat said smith was a problem in the locker room.
- Victoro311

Yeah but that’s just Malkins fault.

The caveat on Smith is this year is his contract year, so he's going to give it 100% no matter what team he's on. Hence, I wouldn't cap dump him, but I'd still look for a hockey trade for him.

So how would you handle these three free agency issues?

POJ- rfa this year, UFA in 2 years. Solid but hasn't stood out yet. Could be in line for a big bump in playing time assuming he is competing with Graves and is at an experience point where his play could jump over the next two years. Do you sign him to an extension into his UFA years hoping it pays off?

I don't. With Pettersson ahead and Pickering behind I try to keep him cheap for the next couple years then deal with UFA when it comes. I would bring him back even if it's a modest raise to compete with Graves.

Pettersson- UFA next year at age 29. Clear top LHD and in line for a big raise. Similar situation to Guentzel who the Pens did let walk rather than extend another player into their 30s. Do you extend him early?

I would. It would be pretty shocking if Graves and POJ both played well enough enough to be comfortable with them as both top fours in a year. Pickering may or may not push for a spot, but I'd make room another way. Don't know what Hextall will do though and I could see at least waiting to see what Graves, POJ, Ludwig, and Pettersson do this year.
- Tojo.

Sign POJ to a 2-year deal at about $1.5M per year.

Sign Petts to a 5 or 6 year deal at around $5M per year.

So how would you handle these three free agency issues?

POJ- rfa this year, UFA in 2 years. Solid but hasn't stood out yet. Could be in line for a big bump in playing time assuming he is competing with Graves and is at an experience point where his play could jump over the next two years. Do you sign him to an extension into his UFA years hoping it pays off?

I don't. With Pettersson ahead and Pickering behind I try to keep him cheap for the next couple years then deal with UFA when it comes. I would bring him back even if it's a modest raise to compete with Graves.

Pettersson- UFA next year at age 29. Clear top LHD and in line for a big raise. Similar situation to Guentzel who the Pens did let walk rather than extend another player into their 30s. Do you extend him early?

I would. It would be pretty shocking if Graves and POJ both played well enough enough to be comfortable with them as both top fours in a year. Pickering may or may not push for a spot, but I'd make room another way. Don't know what Hextall will do though and I could see at least waiting to see what Graves, POJ, Ludwig, and Pettersson do this year.
- Tojo.

POJ - I like him and think he could do a fine job as 2LD. For some reason though I lean towards trading him (if we can't unload Graves at a reasonable price). Two reasons - 1. I would like to bring in someone who can be a top flight LD right now so we have a better chance of competing. 2. I think he could bring us back a really talented forward prospect. Think:

Tor: Robertson? Maybe POJ & Smith for Robertson & Reaves?
Det: Bergeren & a pick? Not sure how Detroit values him.
Van: Hoglander & a pick. Or POJ & Smith for Boeser?
LA: POJ & PIT 2nd rounder for Turcotte/Kaliyev & 2024 LA 1st & 2025 LA 3rd. Not sure Kaliyev or Turcotte will cut it but could be something nice there at the LAK 1st pick.

Pettersson - You re-sign him for 6/$6M or something in that ballpark. He has had some injuries in the past but nothing that slowed him down this past season. He doesn't rely on exceptional athleticism, so less likely that the game passes him by as he ages. Smart positionally, uses his length well and a good dude as I understand it.