The free agent marketplace for a top-six ahead is fairly naked, so groups might name the Pittsburgh Penguins to see what they’ve out there
SDPN: (YouTube) Chris Johnston and Julian McKenzie on The Chris Johnston Present speaking in regards to the Pittsburgh Penguins and two of their forwards – Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell – who’re getting some commerce curiosity.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Julian McKenzie: “Let’s flashback to a few days in the past. You despatched out this tweet, ‘One thing to control as soon as Nikolai Ehlers makes his free agent choice, there’s a way it might spur commerce exercise among the many groups who fall brief of their pursuit of the proficient winger.
Since that tweet, Nikolai Ehlers has joined the Carolina Hurricanes. So what does that imply for trades, CJ?
Johnston: “Properly, what it means is that clearly just one staff, the Hurricanes, on this case, might get Ehlers. And there are numerous groups on the market which can be nonetheless in search of, I’d name it form of top-six offensive assist in their lineup.
And so now that the market resets. And , we’re simply coming by the July 4 lengthy weekend within the US, not a whole lot of hockey-related enterprise being carried out, in all probability not a whole lot of enterprise of any sort being carried out over the weekend south of the border.
However actually, as we get into this week, I do assume it’s one thing to be careful for. And , to me, a staff to essentially control is the Pittsburgh Penguins, as a result of they’ve two such gamers that match the invoice, probably, that I feel Pittsburgh would transfer on from. That being Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
Brian Rust, as of July 1st misplaced some no-trade, no-move safety in his contract, so he’s turns into extra movable as an asset. And naturally, Rakell was a participant the Penguins had discussions on, , main as much as the commerce deadline. Elected to maintain him at the moment. However, , is somebody that’s identified to be out there across the league.
And so, , Pittsburgh, I feel, is in a reasonably great spot right here, within the sense that they honestly are one of many solely groups that I feel usually are not attempting to win a Stanley Cup subsequent 12 months. Or not attempting to take a significant bounce within the standings.
In order that they, they’ve the flexibility, they don’t have a whole lot of competitors, I’d say when it comes to, , different groups promoting these kinds of gamers and and, , they’ve, they’ve established a excessive worth on them. And so, , I don’t know, who’s going to step up and meet that simply but, or the place that’s going to go, however I do assume that they’re type of on the Nexus now as we’re seeking to the following issues.
I imply, there’s, actually, there’s a number of gamers remaining on the free agent listing that don’t have contracts, however, , I feel a whole lot of groups which can be in search of extra impactful gamers nonetheless at this stage of the summer season are going to focus their their, their attentions on the commerce market.
McKenzie: “Richard Rakell, at $5 mill in a rising cap setting. A man who’s in a position to hit 30 objectives a season. That doesn’t sound unhealthy to me, if I’m a GM in search of, for scoring alongside the wing.
I do know Brian Rust, clearly, with the expertise of the previous few years, being part of an entire bunch of cup runs with Sidney Crosby, however Richard Rakell, for me, I’d like to have that participant in my lineup if I might afford it.
Johnston: “For positive. And he’s coming off an important season. You recognize, which is, once more, I feel, bolsters the marketplace for Kyle Dubas, as he, , takes these, these type of cellphone calls from his colleagues across the league.
And, and, , he helped agency on the deadline. I imply, there was actually a whole lot of groups poking round Rakell main as much as March seventh, and in the end, Pittsburgh determined to not transfer on from him.
And , the Penguins now have had type of, what I’d name a busy free agent interval this I do know a whole lot of gamers the short-term offers. Principally taking some bets on, on, on guys that , perhaps their inventory isn’t the best. I consider some like Anthony Mantha, for instance, getting a one 12 months deal there in Pittsburgh. You recognize, attempting to attempt to uncover a number of gamers which can be going to be bouncing again this 12 months, after which perhaps that’s given them a capability to commerce off, to roster much more and reduce deeper.
Since you’re proper. Rakell signed for a number of extra seasons too, which I feel would maintain attraction to somebody giving up loads for him.
Rust is a very fascinating participant. I imply, he was an enormous a part of these 2016 and 2017 Cup wins. That may be an much more emotional sort of commerce, I might say, for the Penguins, simply because he’s been round so lengthy. He’s been a line mate very often, of Sidney Crosby’s.
And, , he’s been a constant participant. You have a look at his manufacturing, he’s simply, he’s supplying you with 20 plus objectives yearly, 12 months after 12 months after 12 months. And , is aware of what it takes to play a successful model of hockey. And so, , the value on him, I do know, is very excessive for anybody that desires to get in there.
However that’s, we’re at that stage of the summer season now the place, for those who don’t just like the composition of your top-six, and also you’re across the league, you’re trying on the free agent listing. And respect to these gamers, perhaps Jack Roslovic might play someplace in a high six, perhaps, he nonetheless unsigned. However, I imply, there actually aren’t a whole lot of apparent options on the UFA listing at this time limit. And so that you’ve acquired to look elsewhere.
Now, there are a number of different groups, , I’ve heard, , Seattle, , could be compelled to maneuver somebody like Jared McCann. There’s, there’s another locations to knock. I’m not saying it’s solely Pittsburgh, however as a result of Pittsburgh (A) has the inducement, I feel, to maintain turning over the roster, and (B) has two gamers that would generate a good bit of curiosity across the league. I do assume that they’re a robust chance for the place the following transfer might occur.
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