Kasperi Kapanen (Aberg/J Lindgren) Traded to Pittsburgh (15OV/Hallander/E Rod/Warf to Toronto)

[Mr Jiggyfly]

This trade has IMO a very wide range of outcomes. How anyone can really peg it down seems reactionary to me.

best case Kapanen explodes in our top 6. He puts it all together and fill our biggest roster hole. Lindgren becomes a capable Pettersson type defenseman. The avaliable talent at 15 0A all end up as ho hum NHlers or outright busts while Hallander is a more likable version Simon.

the bad scenario is Kapanen is what he is. A meh winger and Lindgren never returns from Europe. The 15oa is the next Barzal and Hallander is a mishmash of Kunitz, Hagelin and Hornqvist.

both are unlikely and the result will likely be something like...

Kapanen is better than he has been but not a true difference maker while Lindren get a cup of coffee as a replacement level D man. The 150a becomes an nhl player but not one you lose sleep over, Hallander is a stable contributor to a good bottom 6.

I think your team is doing extremely well if you have KK on your third line.

Again though, if that ends up being the case, JR just paid through the nose for a good third liner.

I definitely disagree with the notion KK is dumb and has a low hockey IQ.

When you are talking low IQ, horse blinders with no hope... that’s a McCann.

KK isn’t McCann like though... he has that Rust full steam ahead with blinders shit at times... but he has his moments where he flashes his IQ.

However, Rust has gotten much better at slowing things down and making plays since he became a top six fixture.

That tells me KK could follow that path as well... I just wish it wasn’t a guessing game for this price though.

 

[Gurglesons]

I'm not "turning" on him. I think he will continue to look a little disconnected if they keep insisting on him with Malkin, though.

Zucker just isn't a skill guy, IMO. I know that's the book on him but I'm sorry I am just not seeing it. He's a north/south effort and skating guy. That's great! Already full up, though.

I'd keep him out of the glut we have, though. Too many of the same players, IMO.

What are you talking about? How is he not a skill player?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I really, REALLY buy the theory that JR confused Liljegren and Lindgren.

I'm sure Rutherford tried for Kapanen and Liljegren. Instead the deal expanded with other players and JR took Lindgren with Kappy

 

[Peat]

One obvious thing about our top 6 that I think has been half-said - it's fast as hell but what's the plan against a trap that allows zero transition chances? What's plan B? Who's bringing a different element when the space runs out?

 

[K Fleur]

lol. Kap and McCann aren't that far off. you may be right.

we should be able to get a top 10 pick for McCann

That’s gonna be tough since JR can’t trade with himself.

 

[PensandCaps]

I'm not "turning" on him. I think he will continue to look a little disconnected if they keep insisting on him with Malkin, though.

Zucker just isn't a skill guy, IMO. I know that's the book on him but I'm sorry I am just not seeing it. He's a north/south effort and skating guy. That's great! Already full up, though.

I'd keep him out of the glut we have, though. Too many of the same players, IMO.

Zucker is probably the most skilled winger we have. Jake is a better goal scorer, but Zucker is definitely more crafty.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I know. But, I also think McCann may have a lot more value than we thought given he is cost controlled.

I hope McCann and Murray have a lot more value than we thought, because we're gonna need it. We just spent our single most valuable, tradeable asset + one of our better prospects for what amounts to a 3rd liner.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

What are you talking about? How is he not a skill player?

I agree Zucker is a skill guy and will score 35-40 goals next year...25-27 in an abbreviated season

 

[Gurglesons]

One obvious thing about our top 6 that I think has been half-said - it's fast as hell but what's the plan against a trap that allows zero transition chances? What's plan B? Who's bringing a different element when the space runs out?

Adam Lowry.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I hope McCann and Murray have a lot more value than we thought, because we're gonna need it. We just spent our single most valuable, tradeable asset + one of our better prospects for what amounts to a 3rd liner.

Don't agree...Kapanen will thrive in the top-6 role!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

What are you talking about? How is he not a skill player?

I don't see any overwhelming offensive category in him as a player. He's a fine player. I want him on the team. Don't get all bent about it. I just would not drop him in the "gifted" pile when it comes to hockey players. He's smart, a hard worker, responsible and a great skater. But when I think "skilled" I just don't think Zucker. I'm sorry if that's a big deal.

 

[PensandCaps]

Zucker had 8 goals, 14 points in his 19 games here.

Not sure how anyone can be upset at his performance or the trade.

(which is why it was absurd that we didn't put him with Sid, after having 12 points in 15 games on his line)

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I dunno. I see that top six and just can't shake the feeling of failure after that flameout. I still have high hopes for Zucker but maybe not if they play him next to Malkin but with Sid, instead. But that's Guentzel's spot... who looks good next to Malkin. And then there is Rust who couldn't find a pulse to save his life in the playoffs but was light's out with Malkin all year... but he's ALSO a favored player on Sid's RW... along with Sheary and Simon. And now with Kapanen... who has had major issues finding any kind of top six consistency... in the mix.

Doesn't this just look like kind of a big, confused mess to anyone else? And not really at all "dominant?" Malkin and Crosby can't carry players anymore, either. And if Malkin pots 20 next year in his 40 healthy games or whatever I'll be astonished.

Yes. Seems like a whole lot of "well, the wings are really fast and they'll figure it out" going on.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don't see any overwhelming offensive category in him as a player. He's a fine player. I want him on the team. Don't get all bent about it. I just would not drop him in the "gifted" pile when it comes to hockey players. He's smart, a hard worker, responsible and a great skater. But when I think "skilled" I just don't think Zucker. I'm sorry if that's a big deal.

What exactly do you expect from a top six "skilled winger" here? He's on pace for 30 goals and 60 pts through nearly 20 games.

Are you going to pull an @Andy99 and say we need a "Pasta"?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I think your team is doing extremely well if you have KK on your third line.

Again though, if that ends up being the case, JR just paid through the nose for a good third liner.

I definitely disagree with the notion KK is dumb and has a low hockey IQ.

When you are talking low IQ, horse blinders with no hope... that’s a McCann.

KK isn’t McCann like though... he has that Rust full steam ahead with blinders shit at times... but he has his moments where he flashes his IQ.

However, Rust has gotten much better at slowing things down and making plays since he became a top six fixture.

That tells me KK could follow that path as well... I just wish it wasn’t a guessing game for this price though.

JR dealt a pick that is 3-4 years from being a top 6 player or maybe a 3rd liner in 2 years time...Crosby said the window for winning(Stanley Cup) is closing so you surround your best players with players that can play now,not tomorrow or 3-4 years time

 

[PensandCaps]

Adam Lowry.

Don't like. Too bad offensively.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Don't agree...Kapanen will thrive in the top-6 role!

If he does, great. We still need an entire 3rd line, a bottom pairing on defense, and a solid backup in case Jarry turns into a pumpkin.

I still don't think Kap's a top-6 guy here. He's too squirrelly for Sid to deal with, and Rust is Geno's RW.

 

[Ryder71]

JR better recoup some real picks/prospects for Murray now...

The very best we could hope for is a late first but those teams most likely wouldn't need him.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Zucker is probably the most skilled winger we have. Jake is a better goal scorer, but Zucker is definitely more crafty.

I mean... maybe I'm just way off on this one. I absolutely see Jake as more offensive skilled. Maybe this also can just be chalked up to semantics. What I see as skilled versus what you guys see etc.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

i think you meant to post this in a facebook comment section

Why is that?

 

[PensandCaps]

JR dealt a pick that is 3-4 years from being a top 6 player or maybe a 3rd liner in 2 years time...Crosby said the window for winning(Stanley Cup) is closing so you surround your best players with players that can play now,not tomorrow or 3-4 years time

He also dealt Kahun for basically nothing.

we wouldn't NEED to be making this trade if we just held on to Kahun.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I don't see any overwhelming offensive category in him as a player. He's a fine player. I want him on the team. Don't get all bent about it. I just would not drop him in the "gifted" pile when it comes to hockey players. He's smart, a hard worker, responsible and a great skater. But when I think "skilled" I just don't think Zucker. I'm sorry if that's a big deal.

Yep, there's a difference between being a skilled player and a hard worker who produces.

Dupes and Kunitz produced, but nobody would put them in the "skill" category. We've got a lot of speed and try-hard on the wings but very little in the way of pure talent and hockey IQ. Which seems to be the way JR and Sullivan want it.

 

[chethejet]

One thing is clear. Jake needs more time and Zucker has to develop some chemistry with Sid or Geno. I actually grasp the obvious here. Kap will bring a RW with skills to allow Rust to not wear down like last year. Now if O'Connor can be that bigger physical LW who can add decent offense, Pens can be better next year for sure. Pens also avoid qualifying A Rod by trading him to Toronto. GMJR believes there is nice interest in the goalies and JJ has to either be traded or sent down to WB and save some cap space. I still think Bjugstad will be the piece that elevates the third line or he is done.

 

[Turin]

Don't like. Too bad offensively.

Blueger-Lowry is good depth. I wouldn’t be against it depending on the cost. Winnipeg needs D and so does Pittsburgh though.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

I think your team is doing extremely well if you have KK on your third line.

Again though, if that ends up being the case, JR just paid through the nose for a good third liner.

I definitely disagree with the notion KK is dumb and has a low hockey IQ.

When you are talking low IQ, horse blinders with no hope... that’s a McCann.

KK isn’t McCann like though... he has that Rust full steam ahead with blinders shit at times... but he has his moments where he flashes his IQ.

However, Rust has gotten much better at slowing things down and making plays since he became a top six fixture.

That tells me KK could follow that path as well... I just wish it wasn’t a guessing game for this price though.

Kapanen has one of the lowest IQs among NHL players. It’s not debatable, just as is isn't that he is one of the fastest skaters. He lacks awareness of how his spot on the ice relates to what occurs around him and it is evident in almost every shift he takes.

Yes, Rust has started to figure things out, but he still isn't a smart player and it takes longer for low IQ players to adapt- hence why it took two years before he could play with Crosby without killing the cycle.