Confirmed Trade: [PIT/NSH] Michael Bunting, 2026 4th for Luke Schenn, Tommy Novak

[voyageur]

Wasn't expecting this one. Dubas loading up on another Nashville prospect Trotz has given up on. Maybe finds some chemistry with Tomasino with a fresh start.

The Schenn trade was the surprising part. Pens gunning for oldest RD in the NHL.
Maybe a good mentor for Pickering though, if he gets recalled.

 

[Kingsfan1]

So this means Rakell , Novak and Schenn are getting traded to the Kings to cover all our needs in 1 shot !

I can hope right ?

 

[wej20]

Nah, Bunting is at 0.50 points per game, Novak at 0.42. Bunting also goes to all the dirty areas, wins puck battles, and agitates quite well.

I'd say he does those things inconsistently.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'd say he does those things inconsistently.

Yeah that was the part with Bunting I was most disappointed with, he really didn't do that. He was vanilla during play and then just got in scrums after the whistle. He has really fallen off from what he was in Toronto.

 

[Scoresberg]

Novak is skilled but soft. I don't like how we handled him as we truly had the chance to lock down a top-six spot for him and just see how it panned out. It's not like we're flush with center talent - or have ever been. In terms of player development, that's an obvious blunder. Not so much otherwise, 3.5 mil guy playing +10 minutes a night isn't going to fetch you anything of value.

Schenn's probably a good locker room guy but in terms of on-ice performance this is addition by subtraction.

I've always liked Bunting as a player, a feisty player who has some offensive punch to go along. More of a complementary player who needs good teammates around him and he'll have a top-six winger spot in Nashville.

 

[King In The North]

Wasn't expecting this one. Dubas loading up on another Nashville prospect Trotz has given up on. Maybe finds some chemistry with Tomasino with a fresh start.

The Schenn trade was the surprising part. Pens gunning for oldest RD in the NHL.
Maybe a good mentor for Pickering though, if he gets recalled.

I like Novak for the Pens but this guy was drafted 10 years ago haha.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Dubas could get a nice return if he trades both Novak and Schenn by tomorrow. Unless they're trading Sid, I dont see why they need another top 6 centre.

 

[triggrman]

Dubas could get a nice return if he trades both Novak and Schenn by tomorrow. Unless they're trading Sid, I dont see why they need another top 6 centre.

Novak, isn't ideal at center.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

I think Schenn is definitely a possibility to come to Toronto with Pittsburgh retaining. Believe, they'd be interested in Grebenkin as Dubas drafted him and had good things to say about him while he was GM here.

They can have Niemela, not Grebenkin

 

[AvroArrow]

Dubas found the only GM stupider than him, big props to KD. This is highway robbery.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Does Pittsburgh trading Desharnais mean they basically flipped him for Schenn?

Possibly. Schenn would fill the same role that Desharnais did, but better.
It would depend on whether or not the Penguins keep Schenn.

 

[StlBigFly]

Option A: Dubas is helping facilitate another trade

Option B: Dubas acquired the guys Toronto wanted just to troll them

 

[uncleben]

Option A: Dubas is helping facilitate another trade

Option B: Dubas acquired the guys Toronto wanted just to troll them

Honestly, props to him if it's B
That'd legit be hilarious

 

[Accelleratii]

what the heck even is this?

 

[SEALBound]

We know the market is strong for middle 6 centers and depth dmen. He acquired both. Very possible it's a delayed three way, though Novak does seem to fit exactly what he's looking for.

 

[JD86]

We know the market is strong for middle 6 centers and depth dmen. He acquired both. Very possible it's a delayed three way, though Novak does seem to fit exactly what he's looking for

There probably aren't many contenders looking for multi-year deals right now. Not on the Novak/Schenn level anyway

 

[Rock Paper Sissons]

Wasn't expecting this one. Dubas loading up on another Nashville prospect Trotz has given up on. Maybe finds some chemistry with Tomasino with a fresh start.

The Schenn trade was the surprising part. Pens gunning for oldest RD in the NHL.
Maybe a good mentor for Pickering though, if he gets recalled.

Novak is pushing 30, he’s not a prospect lol
Assuming you didn’t make schenn..

Dubas found the only GM stupider than him, big props to KD. This is highway robbery.

Highway robbery?
Novak and bunting are about same age and bunting has been better. Unless you think Schenn is worth more than a fourth…. Don’t think “highway robbery” is the term to be applied here lol

 

[blankall]

Luke Schenn still plays hockey? Schenn and Bunting were traded.....for each other.....and the Leafs are not involved? What year is it? What am I doing with my life? I'm so confused, generally.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Novak is pushing 30, he’s not a prospect lol
Assuming you didn’t make schenn..


Highway robbery?
Novak and bunting are about same age and bunting has been better. Unless you think Schenn is worth more than a fourth…. Don’t think “highway robbery” is the term to be applied here lol

Play Novak with Evgeni Malkin rather than Mark Jankowski and we'll see how much "better" Bunting is than him.

 

[JD86]

No he hasn't. Play Novak with Evgeni Malkin rather than Mark Jankowski and we'll see how much "better" Bunting is than him.

Novak plays some of the easiest minutes in the league. As mediocre as his linemates have been (for the most part), his quality of competition is far lower. He was bad at 2C/2W down the stretch last year and horrific at 2C to start the year this season.

He might prove he can hang with legit competition in Pitt, but it's far from a forgone conclusion. Bunting has had some good seasons, and he's only about 19 months older than Novak. I wouldn't be shocked if you said he'd be better than Novak next year, or vice-versa. Wouldn't be shocked to hear they're both big disappointments either.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Novak plays some of the easiest minutes in the league. As mediocre as his linemates have been (for the most part), his quality of competition is far lower. He was bad at 2C/2W down the stretch last year and horrific at 2C to start the year this season.

He might prove he can hang with legit competition in Pitt, but it's far from a forgone conclusion.

I think playing with Mark Jankowski instead of Evgeni Malkin has a much larger impact on production than the quality of opponent they're playing against.

I don't disagree that Novak has played incredibly easy minutes, that's at least what the analytics suggest. But I still think teammates have a larger influence on production than opposition.

 

[JD86]

I think playing with Mark Jankowski instead of Evgeni Malkin has a much larger impact on production than the quality of opponent they're playing against.

I don't disagree that Novak has played incredibly easy minutes, that's at least what the analytics suggest. But I still think teammates have a larger influence on production than opposition.

Malkin hasn't exactly been fantastic this season, has he? And though he's basically awful at everything a center needs to do outside of offense, Novak has always produced better at center in Nashville. I wouldn't be surprised if it works out, wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. Worth a shot for the Penguins either way

 

[Super Hans]

Trotz's relationship with Lamoriello must've been like a kid listening to his grandpa's war stories about beating nazis, so he went to his local protest to do the same, only grandpa Lou is right there with him getting his ass kicked.

 

[Stormcrow]

Malkin currently has 1337 points...that puts him in leet company