The free agent marketplace for a top-six ahead is fairly naked, so groups may name the Pittsburgh Penguins to see what they’ve accessible
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 keep watch over as soon as Nikolai Ehlers makes his free agent choice, there’s a way it may spur commerce exercise among the many groups who fall quick of their pursuit of the gifted 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 workforce, the Hurricanes, on this case, may get Ehlers. And there are various groups on the market which are nonetheless searching for, I’d name it form of top-six offensive assist in their lineup.
And so now that the market resets. And you understand, we’re simply coming by way of the July 4 lengthy weekend within the US, not a whole lot of hockey-related enterprise being carried out, most likely not a whole lot of enterprise of any kind 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 you understand, to me, a workforce to essentially keep watch over is the Pittsburgh Penguins, as a result of they’ve two such gamers that match the invoice, probably, that I believe 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, you understand, main as much as the commerce deadline. Elected to maintain him at the moment. However, you understand, is somebody that’s recognized to be accessible across the league.
And so, you understand, Pittsburgh, I believe, is in a reasonably great place right here, within the sense that they honestly are one of many solely groups that I believe should not making an attempt to win a Stanley Cup subsequent yr. Or not making an attempt to take a significant bounce within the standings.
In order that they, they’ve the power, they don’t have a whole lot of competitors, I’d say when it comes to, you understand, different groups promoting these kinds of gamers and and, you understand, they’ve, they’ve established a excessive worth on them. And so, you understand, I don’t know, you understand 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 form of on the Nexus now as we’re seeking to the following issues.
I imply, there’s, actually, there’s just a few gamers remaining on the free agent listing that don’t have contracts, however, you understand, I believe a whole lot of groups which are searching for extra impactful gamers nonetheless at this stage of the summer time are going to focus their their, you understand their attentions on the commerce market.
McKenzie: “Richard Rakell, at $5 mill in a rising cap atmosphere. A man who’s capable of hit 30 objectives a season. That doesn’t sound unhealthy to me, if I’m a GM searching for, for scoring alongside the wing.
I do know Brian Rust, clearly, with the expertise of the previous couple of years, being part of a complete bunch of cup runs with Sidney Crosby, however Richard Rakell, for me, I’d like to have that participant in my lineup if I may afford it.
Johnston: “For positive. And he’s coming off an ideal season. You already know, which is, once more, I believe, bolsters the marketplace for Kyle Dubas, as he, you understand, takes these, these form of telephone calls from his colleagues across the league.
And, and, you understand, 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 you understand, the Penguins now have had form 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 you understand, possibly their inventory isn’t the very best. I consider some like Anthony Mantha, for instance, getting a one yr deal there in Pittsburgh. You already know, making an attempt to attempt to uncover just a few gamers which are going to be bouncing again this yr, after which possibly that’s given them a capability to commerce off, to roster much more and reduce deeper.
Since you’re proper. Rakell signed for just a few extra seasons too, which I believe would maintain attraction to somebody giving up rather a lot for him.
Rust is a very attention-grabbing participant. I imply, he was a giant a part of these 2016 and 2017 Cup wins. That might be an much more emotional kind 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, you understand, he’s been a constant participant. You take a look at his manufacturing, he’s simply, he’s supplying you with 20 plus objectives yearly, yr after yr after yr. And you understand, is aware of what it takes to play a profitable model of hockey. And so, you understand, the value on him, I do know, is particularly excessive for anybody that desires to get in there.
However that’s, we’re at that stage of the summer time now the place, when you 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, possibly Jack Roslovic may play someplace in a prime six, possibly, 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 just a few different groups, you understand, I’ve heard, you understand, Seattle, you understand, is likely to 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 believe, to maintain turning over the roster, and (B) has two gamers that you understand 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 may occur.
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