Well, we better get this Friday Poll in before something goes off and happens to make it unnecessary. Today’s topic, what to do in the trade market for the Penguins. Kyle Dubas and the Pens have the proverbial “for sale” sign out in the yard, they’re not going to move Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, but just about anyone else could be had by another team if the offer was right.
In several of those cases, the league won’t be lining up for the Tristan Jarry’s or Ryan Graves’ of the roster when it comes to their performance and hefty contracts. But several other names are at the top of mind when it comes to league-wide chatter about players that could be on the move.
Forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell fit the bill, both coming off career seasons and both having exceedingly manageable salary cap hits. Another benefit is that both Rakell and Rust have three years remaining on their contracts — better than shopping in the free agent market where even marginal players like Connor Brown and Tanner Jeannot can secure 4-5 years worth of term and stars like Nik Ehlers and Brad Marchand signed on for six. More yet, Brock Boeser inked for the max of seven and Mitch Marner signed-and-traded his way to Vegas with an eight year deal. The perk of picking up a Rust or Rakell is less than half the commitment in time to a large free agent deal.
And then there’s the Erik Karlsson situation. It hasn’t gone as well as anyone would have hoped, but Karlsson is still a player that can score double-digit goals, put up 50+ points and play 23+ minutes per game at this stage of his career, while moving the puck through the zone and skating with more burst than just about anyone. The biggest hindrance to Karlsson has been his contract, but even that is becoming more manageable with only two years to remaining, added to the fact the Penguins have all the space and motivation in the world to retain a big chunk of the $10 million in cost if it means sweetening the return.
It leads to an interesting position. So let’s get to the polls
Poll
When it comes to Bryan Rust this summer, he:
-
11%
Should be traded and will be traded
(22 votes)
-
30%
Should be traded but will be kept
(58 votes)
-
13%
Shouldn’t be traded but will be traded
(26 votes)
-
43%
Shouldn’t be traded and won’t be traded
(83 votes)
189 votes total
Poll
When it comes to Rickard Rakell this summer, he:
-
53%
Should be traded and will be traded
(101 votes)
-
14%
Should be traded but will be kept
(28 votes)
-
20%
Shouldn’t be traded but will be traded
(39 votes)
-
10%
Shouldn’t be traded and won’t be traded
(20 votes)
188 votes total
Poll
Should the Penguins trade both Rust and Rakell before the start of the season?
-
26%
Yes, plan to move both
(50 votes)
-
40%
Trade one, keep one
(76 votes)
-
32%
Keep both until mid-season, at the least
(60 votes)
186 votes total
Poll
When it comes to Erik Karlsson the Penguins should:
-
32%
Plan on keeping him for themselves this season
(59 votes)
-
67%
Trade even if it’s unfavorable to do so (limited return and/or requiring significant retention)
(122 votes)
181 votes total
Poll
When it comes to Kyle Dubas, which attitude best fits how you feel at the moment:
-
20%
He’s doing a great job, utmost confidence that his plans will work as intended
(37 votes)
-
65%
He’s doing pretty well, I’m still at least a little unsure he can pull it off successfully based on how it’s been going, still mostly has my trust and faith
(120 votes)
-
12%
So far, not so good, I don’t get the vision of what’s happening and don’t like many of the decisions so far, does not have my faith currently
(23 votes)
-
2%
Abject disaster, he’s bound to leave in a few years, accomplishing little to nothing
(4 votes)
184 votes total