Post by Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb 27, 2023 16:47:35 GMT -6
After a disappointing yet expected first half of the season, Pittsburgh knew that they would likely need to start considering selling off some assets in order to obtain pieces that better fit the rest of their talented young players. "We had a few opportunities last year to move some of the guys we just moved that in hindsight, we should have done. We didn't want to make the same mistake again," GM Swackhammer said.
The first substantial move was when the Pens shipped out captain Gabriel Landeskog to St Louis, along with Marcus Johansson, in return for Drake Batherson, Pius Suter, and Prospects Jakob Pelletier and William Stromgren. This move signaled the start of the build and was a long time in the making. "We had been in contact with St louis for awhile and finally were able to come to agreement on an approriate return. We feel Batherson can serve as a vital middle 6 winger in the PFHL and possibly blossom in to a top line winger with the right development. But we're really excited to add Jakob Pelletier to our already very deep prospect pool. At the end of this upcoming season, we'll have a conversation with Jakob and see if its time for him to bring his talents to Wilkes Barre to play a pivotal role next year in his development. "
Next, came the Penguins swinging a deal with Vancouver involving Yanni Gourde. Coming back to Pittsburgh is Sean Kuraly, Scott Pernovich and Jesper Boqvist. GM Swackhammer was asked what he liked in this deal: " Sean will come in and hopefully solidify a 4th line centre role for us for the next few years. He's aware he was largely a throw in with this deal but hes excited to have the opportunity to move up the lineup if his play dictates it. However, Pernovich and Boqvist are the reasons we made this deal. We really didn't want to have to retain on Gourde but the involvement of Scott and Jesper were keys. We feel that they both will be contributors to the pro roster next season. They will finish the season on the Baby Pens' and maybe they will make a run into the farm playoffs. "
The final move thus far finalized just this morning with top centre Sean Couturier being shipped to LA. This deal was a bit more controversial as many Pens fans do not feel they received appropriate value for Sean considering his contract and stats. Coming back to Pittsburgh for Couturier is: Michael Rasmussen, Jonathan Dahlen, Nick Blackenburg and a 2024 1st Rd draft pick. Rasmussen is expected to debut for Pittsburgh tomorrow night and will start out in a middle 6 role with powerplay time. All 3 players are currently 25 and under and it is possible that Dahlen will be on the NHL pens next season as well after his over PPG season in the farm thus far. The addition of the first rd pick gives the Penguins 3 for 2024 and they have 2 so far in the 2023 draft.
There are still rumors flying that standout defenseman Viktor Hedman could also be on his way out. Could more young prospects and players be on the way to team up with Brandt Clarke, Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, Denton Mateychuk and more? "No Comment"- GM Swackhammer
The first substantial move was when the Pens shipped out captain Gabriel Landeskog to St Louis, along with Marcus Johansson, in return for Drake Batherson, Pius Suter, and Prospects Jakob Pelletier and William Stromgren. This move signaled the start of the build and was a long time in the making. "We had been in contact with St louis for awhile and finally were able to come to agreement on an approriate return. We feel Batherson can serve as a vital middle 6 winger in the PFHL and possibly blossom in to a top line winger with the right development. But we're really excited to add Jakob Pelletier to our already very deep prospect pool. At the end of this upcoming season, we'll have a conversation with Jakob and see if its time for him to bring his talents to Wilkes Barre to play a pivotal role next year in his development. "
Next, came the Penguins swinging a deal with Vancouver involving Yanni Gourde. Coming back to Pittsburgh is Sean Kuraly, Scott Pernovich and Jesper Boqvist. GM Swackhammer was asked what he liked in this deal: " Sean will come in and hopefully solidify a 4th line centre role for us for the next few years. He's aware he was largely a throw in with this deal but hes excited to have the opportunity to move up the lineup if his play dictates it. However, Pernovich and Boqvist are the reasons we made this deal. We really didn't want to have to retain on Gourde but the involvement of Scott and Jesper were keys. We feel that they both will be contributors to the pro roster next season. They will finish the season on the Baby Pens' and maybe they will make a run into the farm playoffs. "
The final move thus far finalized just this morning with top centre Sean Couturier being shipped to LA. This deal was a bit more controversial as many Pens fans do not feel they received appropriate value for Sean considering his contract and stats. Coming back to Pittsburgh for Couturier is: Michael Rasmussen, Jonathan Dahlen, Nick Blackenburg and a 2024 1st Rd draft pick. Rasmussen is expected to debut for Pittsburgh tomorrow night and will start out in a middle 6 role with powerplay time. All 3 players are currently 25 and under and it is possible that Dahlen will be on the NHL pens next season as well after his over PPG season in the farm thus far. The addition of the first rd pick gives the Penguins 3 for 2024 and they have 2 so far in the 2023 draft.
There are still rumors flying that standout defenseman Viktor Hedman could also be on his way out. Could more young prospects and players be on the way to team up with Brandt Clarke, Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, Denton Mateychuk and more? "No Comment"- GM Swackhammer
