Even in the the midst of the latest stretch of winning hockey where the Penguins have gone 8-2-0 in their last ten, one of the hot button topics continues to be what the Penguins might do in terms of trades. Questions remain to be answered…Where do the Pens look to upgrade? Do they look for another scoring forward to play on a line with Crosby or Malkin? Do they look for additional grit and toughness that could play on a third or fourth line, and additionally help with the penalty kill? What about help in goal? Do they trust an unproven rookie in a critical backup role as the season progresses towards the playoffs?
With limited cap room available and a number of injury “fill-in’s” doing their part in helping the Pens continue their dominance not only in the Metropolitan division, but in the Eastern Conference, these are tough questions to answer. As admirable as those efforts have been, one has to ask if the Penguins are in position to be successful in the playoffs with this current roster. We know they can win in the regular season, but as we have observed during a number of playoff disappointments in recent years, does this current group have enough to win when it matters.
At forward, Beau Bennett and Jayson Megna showed promise before injuries, and both should be available after the Olympic Games in Sochi. However, with a combined 53 games played, and 8 total goals scored in this limited sample, one might conclude that the Pens might need to consider upgrading at forward. Bennett looks to have a bright future, and the former 1st round pick was starting to show real play-making ability and that he might be a productive top 6 forward. Is the time now though? Can the Penguins rely on him in anticipated playoff match ups against the likes of Tampa, Philadelphia, or Boston? One would have to believe GM Ray Shero has probably been asking similar questions.
Goaltending, specifically a solid backup who can provide a buffer for Marc-Andre Fleury in case of injury of if he falters, is a question that has dogged the Penguins since the loss of one of the top backups in the NHL in Tomas Vokoun. With Vokoun’s career very much in doubt due to a blood clot in his pelvis, the Pens were blind sided and left with very few options for replacements. Jeff Zatkoff shook off two shaky starts in October to become a viable and consistent backup.
With 7 straight wins that include a shutout, Zatkoff has gained the confidence of teammates and fans alike. His performance this season recently garnered him a two year contract extension. Whether or not he has provided enough evidence to convince Shero to stick with him, or if there is still a chance Vokoun returns is still up in the air.
In the meantime, lets take a look at some possible trade options both in goal and at forward.
Several names could be in the mix at forward. Two from the Buffalo Sabres could be potential targets, Matt Moulson and Drew Stafford. Moulson has popped up recently in the rumor mills and as a UFA after the season, his “rental” status makes him an intriguing option. Whats more intriguing is that Moulson, a former Pens draft pick, is he has scored 30 or more goals three separate seasons, including 36 two seasons ago which was good enough for 10th most in the NHL. He’s also proven to be remarkably durable, as he went three straight seasons between 2009-12 playing all 82 games.
Moulson seems like a tremendous fit on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. He has experience playing with one of the top young Centers in the game in John Tavares and evidenced by his goal scoring numbers, he was able to flourish in those circumstances. He has the potential to be a home run acquisition.
As for Stafford, he is much more of a wild card. Once considered one of the upcoming young forwards in the game, the 28 year old has fallen on hard times in Buffalo. After scoring 31 goals in 61 games during the 10-11′ campaign, injuries and the loss of line mates like Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek have helped contribute to his decline in production. Things have gotten so bad for Stafford that he has recently been demoted to the 4th line, and it seems that the rebuilding Sabres would gladly trade Stafford. Additionally, though he has another year left on deal that will pay him 4 million next season, it seems that the Sabres would not expect a kings ransom in return, and would maybe consider paying some of his contract in order to move on.
Stafford seems like a tremendous candidate as a bounce back player. He’s still relatively young, and it seems like the type of player that could flourish playing with players like Crosby or Malkin. Once again, when he was seeing regular shifts with the likes of Pominville and Vanek, he proved to be a dangerous scorer. Whether we are talking about Moulson or Stafford, one thing is certain, the Sabres are in full rebuilding mode. They also could use help on defense, and with the Pens abundance of talent on the blue line, it seems like there could be a match here.
The Islanders may be another team, also in need of defensemen, who could be a potential trade partner. Two forwards languishing with the perennially rebuilding team on the Island are Michael Grabner and Kyle Okposo.
Grabner is one of the most dangerous penalty killers in the league due to his speed and anticipation. Few skaters can match Grabner’s speed, and again, has proven to be a player capable of scoring in volume, demonstrated by his 34 goals (6 shorthanded) three seasons ago. If Grabner found a fit as top 6 forward in Pittsburgh, his remaining two years under contract at 3 million a season becomes a solid bargain.
Okposo is a player that provides a lot of upside. The 25 year old has begun to consistently display why he was a top ten pick in 2006, posting an impressive 42 points in 42 games. His 16 goals have him on pace to break the 30 goal plateau for the first time in his career. Most importantly, he could provide an edge that the Pens lack in their lineup. Okposo is not afraid to mix it up and play a physical game, and that might be just what the Penguins need in a 7 game series against top teams on the quest for the Cup. Plus, still bitter over what some perceive to be a Team USA slight, Okposo would come in even more motivated.
There are issues in acquiring Okposo. At 2.8 million per through 15-16′ season, he’s a valuable commodity. Young, talented players that are averaging a point a game don’t likely come cheap and one would suspect the asking price would be high. Grabner, though a good player with some value, does not seem to share the same potential cost.
Fellow PSN contributor Derek Markovitz recently added the Blues Chris Stewart into the fold. This is a move that would be a home run for the Penguins, but one would have to wonder if the Blues, who have been playing so well and already are without star forward Alexander Steen, would be willing to part with such a valuable contributor. Stewart is a do-it all forward, and his combination of toughness and scoring touch would be a perfect fit, but again, why would the Blues give up a player of this kind of value?
When it comes to goaltending, names like Tim Thomas and Martin Brodeur have been mentioned. In both cases, you have veterans who have been through it all, both have won the Vezina, both have hoisted the Cup. Thomas, an outspoken player who is back after taking a year hiatus, seems like a bad fit. Fleury has been a player that often loses confidence and focus in the past, and adding a strong personality like Thomas could be an issue. Never one to hold off on an opinion, both on and off the ice, Thomas might end up causing a problem. Who is to say he will not raise an issue if he feels he should be starting? Do the Pens need that type of headache? Plus, does the 39 year old have enough to truly be a guy you lean on late? Not in my eyes.
Martin Brodeur would be a tremendous fit under the right circumstances. A living legend who holds many records and is largely considered one of the greatest to ever play the position, the 41 year old Brodeur is winding down his hall of fame career. The Devils are now looking towards the future with Corey Schneider and look to be a borderline playoff team at best. Invariably questions arise as to how the Pens can afford Brodeur’s hefty price tag of 4.5 million, what kind of role he would accept if he did rubber stamp a trade, and how Fleury would respond to his presence.
To me, the last question is the biggest and hardest to answer. The shadow cast by a legend like Brodeur can’t be understated, and one can only wonder how this might impact the play and psyche of Fleury. Brodeur has always been pure class, and the two have played together internationally. However, Fleury was always in a backup role, the roles would be reversed in this case. When Fleury has a poor game, especially come playoff time, what comes of it? One would suspect fans would be calling for Brodeur at the first sign of hard times, and this might do more harm than good. I think Brodeur can handle it, but what about Fleury?
It seems the Pens will have some difficult questions to answer before the trade deadline in early March. With the wins piling up, and the Olympic break coming in month, Shero will have some time to figure out the best path in the coming weeks. In the meantime, what do you think? Who should the Pens trade for, if anyone, and what what would you be willing to give up to do it?
(Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
