GDT: Pens 2024 Trade Deadline Thread: Jake Shake Talk here

[Le Magnifique 66]

Apparently Doug Wilson was supposed to be handling the other trade issues while Dubas worked the Guentzel trade.

That means the Pens are going to sign a bunch of eligible players to 8-year contracts.

He is trying to bring back Marleau and Thornton

 

[TKalltheTime]

Idk if we should rely on anymore rumors after this week haha

We need SUPA INSIDERRRRRR JESSE giving all the hot real facts! LOLZ

 

[Empoleon8771]

Anyway, time to move on from the Jake trade discussion.

What's the rumors for our remaining players?

I think they end up retaining a notable amount on Smith to get a better return for him.

I don't mind Bunting. I think he brings some elements the Pens don't have and is fairly paid.

My only pause is that after watching highlights from his '21-22 season, he was on the ice a lot with Matthews and Marner, often both at the same time. It's good he can play with great players, but that's prime Matthews and Marner. He's going to be with 36-year-old Crosby or 37-year-old Malkin with somebody other than Marner on the other wing.

I agree here 100%, but at the same time, Bunting-Crosby-Rakell looks like a pretty dope top line to me. I wouldn't bet on him having crazy production, but something in the 20 goal, 50 point range seems reasonable. That's effectively what he's on pace for this year.

Also, as an aside it's kinda crazy that the Penguins got a fairly paid guy on pace for 50 points this year, yet people are kinda throwing him aside as a cap dump or valueless. I don't think he's great, but 13 goals and 36 points in 60 games is a pace of 18 goals and 49 points per 82 games.

Is this ranking echoed anywhere? Everything I've seen/read has every one of these dudes as exceptionally meh prospects. Hope Button's correct.

I don't think anywhere else is nearly as high on Koivunen as Button, but I think it's been pretty unanimous that he has borderline top-6/middle-6 upside.

I think a Rakell caliber player is pretty reasonable for him. Or maybe a guy like Jussi Jokinen, I think that's a more accurate description in terms of play style.

 

[SomeDude]

Reilly Smith right now outside of Dubas office.

 

[eXile3]

Bunting scored 23 goals the past 2 seasons and put up 60 and 50pts seasons and you think he is a bottom 6 player here? Come on

That’s fair. I actually like what he does for us despite being disappointed in the overall return.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

I could care what it takes to get rid of Reilly Smith and what we get in return, I just want him gone, GONE!, G-O-N-E, GONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I agree here 100%, but at the same time, Bunting-Crosby-Rakell looks like a pretty dope top line to me.

Emp don’t do this to yourself bro. At least wait a few games.

That looks like a dope top line for chasing James Hagens lmao

 

[Empoleon8771]

Emp don’t do this to yourself bro. At least wait a few games.

That looks like a dope top line for chasing James Hagens lmao

Idk I've always liked Bunting. Even if he's not what he was with Matthews and Marner, I think a 20 goal, 50 point guy with snarl is a nice piece to have in the top-6.

He hasn't been a fit with Carolina but he's still on pace for 18 goals and 49 points there.

 

[Come on]

If we have to retain to move Smith then Hextall > Dubas by an incredible margin

 

[pensfan71]

 

[Empoleon8771]

If we have to retain to move Smith then Hextall > Dubas by an incredible margin

I don't think they have to retain to move Smith, I think they'd retain on Smith to get a better return.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

That opens up a Smith+Ned trade to LA

 

[Empoleon8771]

Lol Vancouver fans missed out on Guentzel, shifted to lowballing Devils fans for Toffoli and then missed out on Toffoli

 

[pensfan71]

I don't think they have to retain to move Smith, I think they'd retain on Smith to get a better return.

Gotta speak with simple terms for those that cannot understand context

 

[OtherThingsILike]

A followup from the same scout who @Smasher tweeted earlier.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Lol Vancouver fans missed out on Guentzel, shifted to lowballing Devils fans for Toffoli and then missed out on Toffoli

No worries, Vancouver is aggressively after Zucker remember

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Idk I've always liked Bunting. Even if he's not what he was with Matthews and Marner, I think a 20 goal, 50 point guy with snarl is a nice piece to have in the top-6.

He hasn't been a fit with Carolina but he's still on pace for 18 goals and 49 points there.

yeah I mean he’s not bad just not sure I’d describe Bunting as your best wing as “dope” lol.

Hopefully they both pad their stats and get flipped.

 

[Turin]

Toffoli and Vilardi? Save some elite crease players for the rest of the league

 

[pensfan71]

Toffoli and Vilardi? Save some elite crease players for the rest of the league

Wdym, we got Bunting (Kunitz 2.0)

 

[Empoleon8771]

A followup from the same scout who @Smasher tweeted earlier.

I think he gives Jussi Jokinen vibes. I don't recall Jokinen was ever known as a great skater, but he was a terrific playmaker with a high hockey IQ and great hands.

 

[Gurglesons]

A followup from the same scout who @Smasher tweeted earlier.

Reminds me of Jake Guentzel @Empoleon8771

Wdym, we got Bunting (Kunitz 2.0)

He’s like a Kunitz and Guentzel hybrid!

 

[pistolpete11]

I agree here 100%, but at the same time, Bunting-Crosby-Rakell looks like a pretty dope top line to me. I wouldn't bet on him having crazy production, but something in the 20 goal, 50 point range seems reasonable. That's effectively what he's on pace for this year.

Also, as an aside it's kinda crazy that the Penguins got a fairly paid guy on pace for 50 points this year, yet people are kinda throwing him aside as a cap dump or valueless. I don't think he's great, but 13 goals and 36 points in 60 games is a pace of 18 goals and 49 points per 82 games.

I think 50points is reasonable, but I'm expecting:

Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Puusy

Depending on how much PP time he gets and how much the PP continues to suck, I'm expecting more like 40 points.

I will say as an NHLer in the here and now, I like Bunting more than Hoglander or Kakko. Those guys are obviously younger and could continue to develop and thus would have been preferable, but Bunting is a more sure thing.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Koivunen also played with Topi Niemela who was a Leafs pick for a while. Dubas knows this player well and has likely seen him with his own eyeballs multiple times.

Idk if that matters, but it’s information.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

Lol Vancouver fans missed out on Guentzel, shifted to lowballing Devils fans for Toffoli and then missed out on Toffoli

Wait Grampy Jimbo is awake? Isnt it past his bed time?

 

[metalan2]

Just get cap space. This is ridiculous.