There is no way to get out of EKs contract without retaining 50%
- hfc355

I think they can, just need to find the right dance partner and it probably involves taking back at least a bad contract in return.

Im looking at Montreal. They need a PP quarterback, they have cap space and they need to pivot into winning. They've got Anderson, who can show some flashes but has a $5.5M contract and injury issues. They can send us Dvorak's expiring contract to make it work right now.

Maybe we can send them McGroarty and a pick on top if they throw in Mailloux.

Karlsson, McGroarty & a 2nd for Anderson, Dvorak & Mailloux. Do it Dubas.

That is probably true on getting Marner or a 2nd center. I think Bunting gets shopped and traded in the offseason (I'm hoping at the deadline he is traded to be honest).
- 123Kid

Interested in why you think that. Bunting seems to be a guy Dubas likes.

Interested in why you think that. Bunting seems to be a guy Dubas likes.
- Tojo.

He chose Bunting as a guy who can "help now" over picks/prospects and I believe stated that in the acquisition.

I think they can, just need to find the right dance partner and it probably involves taking back at least a bad contract in return.

Im looking at Montreal. They need a PP quarterback, they have cap space and they need to pivot into winning. They've got Anderson, who can show some flashes but has a $5.5M contract and injury issues. They can send us Dvorak's expiring contract to make it work right now.

Maybe we can send them McGroarty and a pick on top if they throw in Mailloux.

Karlsson, McGroarty & a 2nd for Anderson, Dvorak & Mailloux. Do it Dubas.
- MacPatty

Yeah but Montreal really needs guys who can actually play defense. EK at this point is a 10M PP specialist. Montreal also isnt in a win now situation.

Interested in why you think that. Bunting seems to be a guy Dubas likes.
- Tojo.

I don't think he fits what Sullivan wants to do. It is probably my wishful thinking for that cap space to be honest; however I have heard some rumblings in Canada of Buntings name being mentioned in the rumor mill (Calgary I believe may have been a team that was calling about him).

Sorry - I forgot Dubas's true plan. To sign McDavid and Marner.

Malkin-Crosby-Rust
Rakell-McDavid-Marner

We could work with that.
- SuperHenderson13

So you’re saying get bounced in the 2nd round by a well rounded well coached team.

Yeah but Montreal really needs guys who can actually play defense. EK at this point is a 10M PP specialist. Montreal also isnt in a win now situation.
- hfc355

If they could rid themselves of Anderson and/or Gallagher in any deal I think they take it

Bunting needs to play on PP 1. He’s simply better at it than Rust. Better moving the puck, better around the net, better in the slot. He also doesn’t give a poop who he’s out there with if he thinks he has a shot he takes it.

Bunting needs to play on PP 1. He’s simply better at it than Rust. Better moving the puck, better around the net, better in the slot. He also doesn’t give a poop who he’s out there with if he thinks he has a shot he takes it.
- Grinder47

It's true Grinder. Unfortunately players like him are what we need. Sullivan doesn't seem like he values him.

I heard an interesting statement from a friend who was previously in the Pens organization. He said JR wanted Tocchet back in the organization to potentially take over for Sullivan; however, Sullivan was starting some problems with JR and causing him stress (he didn't go into it). So JR eventually stepped down.

Man how different we would be right now if we had Tocchet and JR still in the organization

I heard an interesting statement from a friend who was previously in the Pens organization. He said JR wanted Tocchet back in the organization to potentially take over for Sullivan; however, Sullivan was starting some problems with JR and causing him stress (he didn't go into it). So JR eventually stepped down.

Man how different we would be right now if we had Tocchet and JR still in the organization
- 123Kid

That seems so much better of a path haha

That seems so much better of a path haha
- 10inchTerror

Didn’t kessel force a trade to be w tocchet?

Agree though they’d be so much better off.

AO with a fractured fibula. Check 99’s bank wires. Lol

AO with a fractured fibula. Check 99’s bank wires. Lol
- out_of_market

hahaha


He's still going to break it.

I am incredibly biased by some of the stuff I saw in the playoffs, maybe thats not fair but some of those plays stick in your mind. I also was the guy that was spouting off about the Leafs getting the steal of the draft getting Marner at #5, as watching him play on the Knights he looked every bit of the second coming of Patrick Kane... and he really has been with the exception of the playoff success.
I don't know exactly where he stands. I'd say a top 15 forward for certain.

McDavid, Mackinnon, Matthews, Draisaitl, Crosby, Kucherov, Stone, Rantanen, Kaprizov, Tkachuk, Barkov to name a few forwards are all players I'd take over Marner.

He is in a group with Panarin, Reinhart (as of the past couple years), Pastranak, Point, Eichel? and there are probably a few other guys in that group. Marchand seems to be taking a step back, but before this season I'd have him in that elite class.

And frankly, I don't think Malkin is all that far off of the pace with a lot of these guys. You put him out there with a top line talent like most of these other guys get to play with and he would be ripping as well. Look how good he and Sid have been when they have played together. Crosby and Malkin have by far the worst linemates out of any of these guys you will see listed on any top players list. (frank) it... sell everything, lets run a Malkin-Crosby-Marner top line and at least have those guys light it up together.
- MacPatty

Include Sam Bennett as a guy more likely to help you win a cup over Marner as well. Sam Reinhardt, as well.

Include Sam Bennett as a guy more likely to help you win a cup over Marner as well. Sam Reinhardt, as well.
- Grinder47

Your recency bias is showing.....haha nah, I'm just f'n around. I'd take those two guys over Marner too.

Include Sam Bennett as a guy more likely to help you win a cup over Marner as well. Sam Reinhardt, as well.
- Grinder47

Reinhardt you can make an arguement for but as much as I love Bennett and his game, player for player you take Marner hands down. Now, if we are talking about Bennett and what you can do with an extra $4M to pad the lineup, that is a different conversation.

I'm really curious to see what Florida does this offseason. Can they keep both Bennett and Ekblad?

Reinhardt you can make an arguement for but as much as I love Bennett and his game, player for player you take Marner hands down. Now, if we are talking about Bennett and what you can do with an extra $4M to pad the lineup, that is a different conversation.

I'm really curious to see what Florida does this offseason. Can they keep both Bennett and Ekblad?
- MacPatty

I think it might be a toss up for me for Marner/Reinhart. However, scoring goals is the hardest thing in the league, in that regard Reinhart is better. I wouldn't blink at Bennett over him. He's a warrior beast cut from iron hahaha and produces very well too. Myself and Vic were often saying here that we wanted Bennett for the Pens when he was on the 3rd and (mostly) 4th line with the Flames.

I know it's not in our budget this offseason but it would be awesome to have Rantanen and Bennett on this team (even though I wouldn't mind Marner either). Both players would bring a different element

Reinhardt you can make an arguement for but as much as I love Bennett and his game, player for player you take Marner hands down. Now, if we are talking about Bennett and what you can do with an extra $4M to pad the lineup, that is a different conversation.

I'm really curious to see what Florida does this offseason. Can they keep both Bennett and Ekblad?
- MacPatty

Player for player Sam Bennett gets you more for 4.5 than Marner does for 11 or whatever he makes.