With the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins on the outside looking in at a playoff spot, many expect them to be active in the weeks to come. On a radio appearance with Sportsnet 650 (audio link), Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggests that the Pens have shown some interest in Sabres pending UFA winger Evander Kane and that he wouldn’t be surprised if they inquire about Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty as well. He adds that on top of looking for help on the wing, they’re still trying to add depth down the middle as well despite picking up Riley Sheahan earlier in the year.
Kane has cooled down a little bit after a hot start to the season with just three goals over his last 18 games but he would still represent a significant boost to Pittsburgh’s top-six. He carries a cap hit of $5.25MM this season. As for Pacioretty, his struggles have been well-documented but many anticipate that a change of scenery and a top-flight center to play with could get back to 30-goal form. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin down the middle, Pittsburgh certainly would be able to give him that type of opportunity.
A challenge for Penguins GM Jim Rutherford here though will be working those types of moves on the salary cap. Right now, they can add a player making just over $357K in a full-season salary per CapFriendly, which means they really have next-to-no wiggle room at all. While Buffalo has indicated in the past they’d be willing to retain salary on Kane (they can hold back up to 50%), there’s no sign that Montreal would do on Pacioretty, who is signed for one more year after this one at a $4.5MM cap charge. Pittsburgh may want to make a splash but unless they’re willing to send a big contract the other way, there may not be a fit for a deal just yet.
Looking at the salary based on a Cole and Sheary trade for Kane. It would equal just over 5 million combined so the cap space could would work. However, is Kane going to have the upside worthy of that trade? Everyone knows Kane is a speedy winger that can score, but his locker room antics have proven to be a distraction. It’s a very interesting trade and Kane should flourish in a pens sweater . Maybe Sully could keep Kane focused and the off ice issues would be in the past but is the risk worth the reward? With the Penguins current position in the standings, it just might payoff
Why would Buffalo take that back in a trade for Kane?
Not that I really blame him, but Pittsburgh has often come out on top in trades for star or big name players. A part of me believes that Pittsburgh will somehow find a way to rob someone else again but I hope not. I agree though, no GM would take that trade.
And in regards to his post below, the past few seasons have seen rentals be traded for high price tags. A rental top-six winger/top four defensemen is definitely worth at least two upper prospects and/or high round draft picks. As much as GMs and fans know they are often overpaying, that’s the price. If the Penguins don’t make that deal, then somebody else will.
If a 1st is added to the original proposal of Cole and Sheary, it may be closer than you’d expect. As we’ve seen in years past, the market dictates the value the closer we get to the deadline. That may be a realistic haul for Kane. Buffalo would then flip Cole for another pick/player.
Too close to the cap means Rutherford will need to be creative as all hell. But I don’t doubt the guy; he’s mostly spun gold from thread in the trades he’s made.
Any trade from Pitt needs to start with Sprong and a 1st , in regards to Kane (playing Buf GM)
He’s a rental , UFA seasons end. Sprong will not be traded for a rental.
Lol wrong, wrong, wrong. Kane will not be expensive since he is a rental. Good thing you’re not an NHL GM!
You’re mistaken. Look at the price of rental top-six forwards/top four defensemen from the last few seasons. Sprong and a 1st is right around the correct value.
When was the last time someone has been dealt for a top prospect and a first at the deadline?
No player fetched anything close to that last year.
Last year, Kevin Shattenkirk fetched a first rounder, a conditional second round pick (admittedly with a lot of protections that I don’t think occurred, but the primary conditions revolved around Shattenkirk resigning with Washington or Washington making it to the ECF) and two bottom six players.
Martin Hanzal, also last year, got a first round pick, a second round pick, and a conditional second rounder (that didn’t end up being conveyed, but shows the value that was involved).
Granted neither of those trades involved a top prospect, but the value of a top prospect would be right around the value of first or second round pick, depending on draft position. While Evander Kane comes with a ton of locker room issues, he’s also a proven top-six winger and arguably the most valuable and best rental forward available. I’m not saying that Buffalo should be shooting for Sprong and 1st or nothing, but Sprong and a first or second rounder is a reasonable ask.
2016, Andrew Ladd to CHI for a 1st, 3rd and Dano (who was a top 3 prospect in their system, after getting him from Columbus)
No one would EVER trade that or anything remotely similar. If it was last year or the year before for Kane, maybe. Not now. No way.
What are you watching? Two years ago Kane had 35 points through 65 games and 43 points through 70 games. He currently has 34 points through 39 games. Sure his pending free agency plays some factor in his value, but he’s on pace for a career year. A team that believes they are a piece or two away from being a serious contender, with one of those pieces being Kane, will fork up the value for him. Teams always overpay at the deadline if they really feel they have a shot.
Kane will be a Rental. Has been on a cold streak. Has a reputation. Botterill has worked with Rutherford. Botterill will know Rutherford would have a very hearty laugh at that proposition. Botterill would probably gladly take Sheary and Cole that was mentioned above. Cole also a UFA at the end of the year but Sheary is under control for 2 more seasons. Botterill would be very familiar with both players too.
Probably Cole + some (2) mid picks. Or Cole + 3-4 late picks. Can’t see Sheary leaving them but who knows.
Cole and 3-4 late picks does nothing for a team that is clearly rebuilding. They can and likely will get a better offer than another pending free agent and late round picks that usually don’t pan out or have bottom six/third pair defensemen ceiling.
The marquee names in nearly every trade deadline the past few years has either garnered a top/top-ish prospect and/or around two picks from the first 3 rounds of a draft. If a team really believes Kane’s locker room issues won’t be an issue on a winning team (something that he really hasn’t ever been a part of) then he’ll likely be traded for something similar.
Hagelin’s $4MM/year would certainly help with the cap issue. Would have to add a lot more to any trade though
I’m interested to see what the Penguins and all others will do before the trade deadline. Kane is good but Buffalo will probably overprice him because of his name. He’ll probably end up somewhere like Philly lol.
Yes… Philly where they’re low on cash and in the standings. Why not.
I was being sarcastic because they’re bad and no player wants to go there. They’re always an unpopular destination, especially since they’ve been so bad these past couple years.