Pittsburgh Penguins Talk: Going Back to the Deadline for the Playoffs

Apr 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrates with the bench after scoring an empty-net goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrates with the bench after scoring an empty-net goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Samual Campbell

It’s hard crafting a trade for a team that’s performing well, but there is always room for improvement. Looking at stats from the regular season, the Pens ended their regular season ranked 28th in face-off percentage with 47.6 win percentage. While they are faring alright so far in the playoffs, winning draws is not a problem you want to encounter in the next rounds.

I think going back to the deadline and adding a center that could win draws would have been a decent move. Not to mention, when looking at the depth chart, your top 4 centers in Crosby, Malkin, Bonino and Cullen, are all left handed. This gives us more incentive to try and land a right handed player as well.

Since we know the Carolina Hurricanes did not end up cinching a playoff spot, let’s pretend they were sellers at the deadline. The guy I’m targeting is Derek Ryan. The right handed forward had a 55.3% in the face-off, and even added 29 points to his season stats. His contract is also very friendly, coming in at $600,000 annual salary.

Ryan fills a need, is cheap, might chip in a goal or two, and shouldn’t cost too much from the Penguins roster to bring him in.

He is 30 years old, and Carolina has quite a few budding NHLer on their roster. So we’ll send a Wilkes-Barre guy who may or may not pan out into a bottom six type, and throw in a pick for good measure.

Derek Ryan in exchange for Jean-Sebastian Dea and 2018 4th round pick.