Post by Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb 26, 2022 15:52:14 GMT -6
To this point in the season, Pittsburgh has been able to stay in the race. With that being said, there were some clear holes with the team. A viable middle 6, 2 additional top 4 Dmen were two areas identified at the beginning of the season of areas in need of an upgrade. The lack of depth on defense has so far definitely played a role in the struggles of the team. Both goaltenders have sub .900 save percentages and the team has a negative goal differential.
GM Swackhammer has known that the team would likely be selling at some point this season. About a month ago, he moved Top pairing Brent Burns for Tyson Barrie and future picks, including a future 1st rder albeit a few years down the road. He also had entertained offers on Victor Hedman and Gabriel Landeskog. However, today a deal was swung that shows the direction the Pens plan to go over the next few years when Chris Driedger was traded to Boston.
When asked about the deal, GM Swackhammer had this to say "We had entertained the possibility of re-signing Chris but we didn't feel his play was in line with his contract demands. We think he's a very talented goalie but we had questions as to where this team would be in the next couple of years and whether it would be best to see what we could obtain in a trade." The interest in Driedger was large with offers coming from about a half-dozen teams and interest from a few others as well. When talking about the trade with Boston, GM Swackhammer said, "We are excited to obtain another first rd pick in this years draft a couple of prospects we hope to add to our farm team next year. " When asked if GM Swackhammer was had asked GM Davidson to also fill up the teams propane tanks for the next season the GM responded with a "No comment."
With this trade, the net has effectively been turned over to MacKenzie Blackwood, for the time being. Blackwood has struggled at times this year but is young at age 24. Since the defense is still quite questionable, Blackwood should have plenty of opportunities to face Shots. Blackwood struggles with Two Shot routines and does better with a single shot regimen so rebound control will be paramount to his success for the remainder of the year.
As for the remaining Penguins, it seems quite clear who could be moved next. UFA to be's such as Mikael Backlund, Travis Boyd, Colton Sceviour and Chris Tierney could be on the move soon since they don't seem to be in the cards for the future.
GM Swackhammer has known that the team would likely be selling at some point this season. About a month ago, he moved Top pairing Brent Burns for Tyson Barrie and future picks, including a future 1st rder albeit a few years down the road. He also had entertained offers on Victor Hedman and Gabriel Landeskog. However, today a deal was swung that shows the direction the Pens plan to go over the next few years when Chris Driedger was traded to Boston.
When asked about the deal, GM Swackhammer had this to say "We had entertained the possibility of re-signing Chris but we didn't feel his play was in line with his contract demands. We think he's a very talented goalie but we had questions as to where this team would be in the next couple of years and whether it would be best to see what we could obtain in a trade." The interest in Driedger was large with offers coming from about a half-dozen teams and interest from a few others as well. When talking about the trade with Boston, GM Swackhammer said, "We are excited to obtain another first rd pick in this years draft a couple of prospects we hope to add to our farm team next year. " When asked if GM Swackhammer was had asked GM Davidson to also fill up the teams propane tanks for the next season the GM responded with a "No comment."
With this trade, the net has effectively been turned over to MacKenzie Blackwood, for the time being. Blackwood has struggled at times this year but is young at age 24. Since the defense is still quite questionable, Blackwood should have plenty of opportunities to face Shots. Blackwood struggles with Two Shot routines and does better with a single shot regimen so rebound control will be paramount to his success for the remainder of the year.
As for the remaining Penguins, it seems quite clear who could be moved next. UFA to be's such as Mikael Backlund, Travis Boyd, Colton Sceviour and Chris Tierney could be on the move soon since they don't seem to be in the cards for the future.
