Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Valuable Trade Assets for 2015-16
What do you consider the biggest hole for the Pittsburgh Penguins heading into 2015-16? Is it the young blue line? Maybe it’s the backup goaltender situation?
Whatever it is, it’s easy to see that at this point, there’s no way of addressing any sort of issue through the remaining free agent market. And, while I don’t think this is a particularly scary situation for the Pens, it’s certainly something to think about as we near the regular season.
A recent conversation with our own Dan Kingerski on Twitter got me thinking, what options will there be if the Pittsburgh Penguins need to address a defensive deficiency? What if injuries plague this team on offense yet again? Who or what can they move?
At this point in the season, or preseason to be exact, it’s extremely hard to decide who’s expendable. But, I’m going to take a shot at it anyway. Let’s visit a few the most moveable assets for the Pens in 2015-16.
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Sep 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing
Antti Pihlstrom(24) skates for the loose puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing
David Perron(57) in overtime at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins won 1-0 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
David Perron
It’s never easy to think about trading a player that you recently forfeited a first round pick for. But, the Pittsburgh Penguins may have to consider it if things take a turn for the worse on the blue line.
Perron has approached 2015-16 with a renewed energy and a chip on his shoulder after a very disappointing second half of 2014-15. After starting his Pittsburgh Penguins career on fire with Sidney Crosby as his center, he tailed off and ended up spending time in the bottom-six while Mike Johnston tried names like Daniel Winnik on Sid’s left side.
Some will look at Perron’s new approach, conditioning and the fact that he’s having a solid camp as a reason to not even consider him as trade bait. But, the truth is, the Pens are stacked at wing and if Pascal Dupuis returns to the player that he was before being sidelined with a blood clot, Perron is somewhat expendable.
I’m not suggesting the Pittsburgh Penguins actively shop Perron or that they necessarily have to trade him. I am however suggesting that if they need to address issues on the blue line, Perron may be the guy to go. Especially considering that his contract does not include a no-movement clause of any kind.
Next: Win Now, Draft Later
Sep 22, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Daniel Sprong (R) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-Round Draft Picks
The Pens are a team that have a reputation of mortgaging the future for the present. They’re built to win now and normally show the willingness to trade whatever assets it takes to grab the pieces they feel will take them to the next level.
With recent trades, the Pittsburgh Penguins are currently without a first round pick for next summer’s draft. But, they have a few extra picks beginning in round two thanks to picks that were returned to them in exchanges and former employees such as John Hynes and Dan Bylsma getting hired elsewhere, as the two of them both fetched the Penguins a third round pick.
Normally, picks in those rounds will not see full-time NHL roles for at least four or five years, if at all. By then, Pittsburgh’s core will be approaching their mid-30’s. I definitely understand the concern about Pittsburgh’s organization depth and their lack of solid prospects. In fact, I just wrote about why they needed to bring veterans in this summer. But, that issue isn’t necessarily due to a lack of draft picks but rather a lack of successful draft picks.
Don’t be surprised to see the Pens swinging deals that include draft picks in the coming months in order to fill roster holes. It’ll require a player or two as well for cap reasons but Pittsburgh’s extra mid-round picks will be valuable to rebuilding teams with assets that can help the Pens now.
Next: Beau Knows... Trade Value
Sep 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing
Beau Bennett(19) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins won 1-0 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Beau Bennett
Bennett is a highly skilled forward with silky hands and a great wrist shot. He’s a solid skater and has a high hockey IQ. But, he’s also extremely injury prone and has yet to find a consistent home within the Pens’ lineup.
That may change this season. Bennett packed on an extra few pounds of muscle this summer and looks noticeably bigger. He’ll likely start the season at third line right-wing with Nick Bonino, which means a more consistent center than he has had in years past in Pittsburgh’s bottom-six. The two of them are both fairly creative on the offensive side of the puck so it could be a fun duo to watch.
That being said, Bennett doesn’t necessarily have a place in Pittsburgh’s top-six. At least, not in the foreseeable future. Next season could be a different story for him but what if he starts strong and then regresses? The fact is, if Bennett’s able to start strong and show some consistency over the first few months of the season, his stock will be higher than ever on the trade market.
At 23-years old, Bennett is still fairly young and could fit well with a team looking to be competitive over the next two seasons. Moving him is completely reliant on his ability to stay healthy and play with some consistency but if he does, he’s probably more of an asset on the trade market than he is in the lineup for Pittsburgh.
Next: Pouliot's Protection May Have to End
Mar 26, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen
Derrick Pouliot(51) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes defeated the Penguins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Pouliot
Pouliot has shown glimpses of greatness through his short career in the NHL so far. However, he has also shown that he’s a defensive liability more often than not and may lack the physical aspects needed to compete at this level.
The coaching staff has asked Pouliot to play a more aggressive game. I believe the word used is ‘snarl’. Well, he attempted that in this summer’s rookie tournament and ended up in the box and ineffective in that regard. Part of that is on the coaching staff, as playing that style simply doesn’t fit Pouliot’s strengths. But, I can see their concern.
Pullout doesn’t need to be a fighter or play with an edge in order to agitate opponents. He needs to use his skill to frustrate them while learning to play a more aggressive game in his own end, mostly during 50/50 and net-front battles. He loses too many of these situations and they lead to scoring chances against far too often. We just saw a recent example of this in the preseason game against the Carolina Hurricanes when Pouliot found himself physically dominated on his blue line and got caught chasing a breakaway because of it.
With all of that being said, Pouliot is still a top defensive prospect. His skill speaks for itself and if he develops more strength and truly learns from watching the way Kris Letang plays the game (as Mike Johnston indicated he wanted to see) he’ll be a very good defenseman in this league. The Pens protected Pouliot when Toronto attempted to pry him away in the Phil Kessel deal. If things continue down the same path for him with this organization, it may be time to lift that protection and see what he can fetch in the market.
Next: Murray Could Bring a Valuable Return
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Murray
When you mention Matt Murray’s name in a trade, many of the Pittsburgh Penguins faithful cringe. He looks poised to be the next starting goaltender in Pittsburgh and is coming off an unbelievable season in the AHL. But, that’s why now may be the time to move him.
I wrote an article shortly after the season concluded about the same topic. And, the idea was met with some pessimism back then too. However, the fact remains that in order to address franchise shortcomings, you have to work with areas of surplus. At this moment, goaltender is the only area that resembles a surplus in Pittsburgh.
We aren’t sure how Tristan Jarry will pan out in the NHL, or even in the AHL for that matter. But, if there’s a team looking for a goaltender that could be a fringe NHL contributor this season, Murray should be considered if the return will take the Pens to the next level. Can they get a solid NHL defenseman with some sort of Murray deal? If so, they should do it.
Fleury is signed through 2019. That gives the Pens plenty of time to assess where Jarry stands and prepare a backup plan if he won’t be the guy. I totally get the love affair with Murray after last season but this is a business that sometimes requires tough decisions. This is a tough decision that may be necessary for this team round out a roster that’s very close to being a Stanley Cup favorite.
Next: Prospects Reveal Reason for Veterans