Gar Bercury —
When it comes to winning in the regular season, few teams in recent years have had more success than the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a 17-point lead in the Metropolitan Division, and the best record in Eastern Conference, it seems to once again be business as usual. Success however, brings expectations of winning big in the playoffs, something that the Pens have failed to do four straight seasons.
The question then becomes, does this team as currently constructed, have what it takes to go deep into to the playoffs and ultimately, win a Stanley Cup?
Pens GM Ray Shero has some difficult decisions ahead. Inevitably, I believe the Penguins need to consider making trades to improve their chances come playoff time. Though there are many players rumored to be possible trade targets, I will focus on three players who I personally think could help the Penguins on their quest to raise the Stanley Cup.
Target #1 Andrew Ladd, Forward, Winnipeg Jets–
Trade rumors have revolved around a number of players in Winnipeg, especially Blake Wheeler, Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien. Though its understandable why these players would be coveted, the Jets player that makes the most sense for the Penguins is Andrew Ladd. A do-it-all forward, Ladd would bring size, toughness, and versatility to the Pens. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Hurricanes and Blackhawks, the 28-year-old winger knows what it takes to win big games, and seems like a perfect candidate to flourish playing with Sidney Crosby.
I love Ladd’s game, and I think he is the perfect fit. His size and toughness are assets the Pens are desperate for. He’s signed through 2016 at a very reasonable price of $4.4 million a season. Though he would command valuable trade pieces, its fair to say his price tag would be less than flashier choices like Kane or Wheeler. I don’t think its unreasonable to think an offer than included one of the Pens young defenseman and a higher round draft pick might be enough to intrigue the Jets.
Target #2 Matt Moulson, Forward, Buffalo Sabres–
Another potential candidate to play RW on the Crosby line, Matt Moulson is an established goal scorer more than capable of thriving in a top line role. With experience playing with a world class center like John Tavares, Moulson understands the dynamic of playing with a star. His three straight seasons scoring 30 goals or more provide plenty of evidence he’s prepared to light the lamp for the Penguins. It’s hard to think playing with No. 87 would not provide a spark for Moulson.
Though he lacks the toughness of Ladd, Moulson provides leadership and professionalism, making him a welcome addition to the Pens locker room. His impending free agent status and affordable cap number of just over $3.1 million make him an intriguing “rental” option. Unlikely to re-sign with Buffalo, the Sabres would likely listen to serious inquiries. A package deal centered around a player like defenseman Simon Despres could be a viable starting point.
Target #3 Maxime Talbot, Forward, Colorado Avalanche–
Who says you can’t go back? When fan favorite and playoff hero Max Talbot left via free agency to sign with the hated Flyers, few would have thought he could. However, bringing back Talbot, now in Colorado, makes a ton of sense. Though it’s fair to argue that the Pens need to find a winger to play with Crosby, the reality is a bottom six forward, specifically someone who could play on the Brandon Sutter line, might be even more crucial.
Much of the playoff disappointment last year had much more to do with poor play by the third and fourth lines than anything else, and bringing Talbot back would improve this area. Still a gritty performer who can kill penalties and mix it up, Talbot would be a welcome addition. He’s a proven playoff performer, and it does not hurt that he is one of Crosby’s closest friends.
Once one of the most popular players among fans and in the Pens locker room, Talbot’s addition would do as much for team chemistry as it would anything else. The cost to bring him back would probably be minimal, as he does not seem to have a fit in Colorado.
Bringing Talbot back in combination with a player like Ladd or Moulson would do wonders for the Penguins Stanley Cup hopes. Standing pat is not a viable option. Toughness, experience, and additional scoring are all important needs for the Penguins to not only win during the regular season, but come playoff time. Is that not what Pens fans expect?
Mike Friend —
With a comfortable 17-point lead in the Metropolitan Division, a goalie leading the league in wins and their captain leading the league in points, the cliché “If it’s not broke don’t fix it,” seems to apply to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Recent losses to Edmonton, Florida and Dallas may have worried the faithful and cries of “Fire Bylsma,” and “Trade Fleury,” echoed across social media and discussion boards.
A 5-1 loss to the perennial basement dwelling Florida Panthers might be disturbing if the Pens were in a race for the division but the game just happened to fall in a place where the Panther could land a cheap shot, and pick up a win with the Pens more than likely looking forward to P.K. Subban and the Montreal Canadiens.
As the league moves closer to the break for the Olympics in Sochi, the trade deadline looms shortly after the break ends. After making a flurry of moves last year that saw GM Ray Shero bring in several big name players like Brendan Morrow, Jarome Iginla and Douglas Murray for what was basically a rental period, fans are wonder what big names could be in the Steel City when the dust settles this year. Honestly, with the cap space issue the team has and the success Bylsma has had with a team that at one point was Sid, Fleury and the Baby Pens, a big move isn’t really necessary.
The 2013-2014 season has been a vicious cycle of injuries and medical conditions that have led the Penguins to lead the league in a category no one envies, Man Games Lost.
As a result of almost every player missing time due to injuries for extended periods of time, the Pens have showed that they have a strong farm system and will be competitors for years to come. Breakout seasons from defensemen Matt Niskanen and Olli Maatta have bolstered what at time has been a suspect defense from the Penguins and youngsters like Jayson Megna, Chris Conner and Brian Gibbon have all seen time on the top lines with Crosby and Kunitz and have been productive when they are called up and healthy.
The amount of young talented prospects in the Penguins farm system shows that it isn’t always money that can breed success in the NHL, but luck and proper coaching. In recent weeks, the Pens seemed to have used some luck and were able to claim Taylor Pyatt off waivers from the Rangers and the move has been paying dividends as Pyatt has contributed on both offense and special teams, adding a physical presence to a Bottom Six that has seen a disproportionate lack of scoring when compared to the Penguins Top Six. By claiming Pyatt off of waivers, the Pens don’t have to give up anything and if this experiment doesn’t work out, it won’t hurt the Pens.
Trade speculations will more than likely run rampant over the Olympic break and every available player will inevitably be rumored to be heading to Pittsburgh, however with a strong farm system and superstars Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin and other key components locked up for the foreseeable future, the Pens don’t need to make a move to bring anyone to the team.
However, with the amount of young talent in the farm system chomping at the bit to make their name in the big leagues, the Pens could be sellers at the deadline perhaps opting to move aging fan-favorite Brooks Orpik who has noticeably lost a step this season especially after returning from injury after being attacked by Shaun Thornton. Other players that could be on the move to free up cap space and rebuild the pool of picks are Brandon Sutter and Chuck Kobasew who are both free agents at the end of the season.
If fans have come to expect one thing from Ray Shero and the Pens front office it is to expect the unexpected, but in its current state the team doesn’t need anyone but it could use some cap space.
