Friday, February 11, 2022

What Will The Pittsburgh Penguins Do To Improve By The Trade Deadline?

 


     After winning back to back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, critics alike were starting to say that the Pittsburgh Penguins age would start to catch up to them. After being swept by the Islanders in the 1st round in 2019, and again were defeated in the 1st rounds in 2020 and 2021, many alike, including fans, were wondering if there was a rebuild on the horizon. But the Pittsburgh Penguins again are showing that their championship window still remains intact for now and are putting together a remarkable season, even if they are getting older. Sidney Crosby as of this post has 499 career goals and continues to make everyone around him a superstar. Jake Guentzel leads the team in points. Evan Rodrigues is having a career year. Evgeni Malkin is now healthy. Bryan Rust is showing why he is an important player in the top 6 for the Penguins. Kris Letang continues to play a lot of minutes and is among the leading scorers for defenseman since January 1. While the Penguins do have solid depth in scoring coming from the likes of Jeff Carter, Brock McGinn, and Danton Heinen, it remains to be seen what moves General Manager Ron Hextall will make to upgrade the team's chances of making a deep playoff run.


     Looking around and reading names being named as potential targets, we will take a look at s few and see how they would improve the Penguins starting line up should they go on and qualify for the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season.


 Nikita Zadorov

     It really is simple. Zadorov has the size that could help the Penguins. 6ft 6 235lbs. Big, physical, and a guy that will wear down the opposition's star players come playoff time. If the Penguins can acquire him to mow down star players from other teams, this will give them the solution they have been looking for that they have been missing in the pass couple playoff runs. Interesting enough, the Flames are reportedly interested in adding depth for their forward position, which the Penguins have the piece to offer in the underperforming Kasperi Kapanen. (If only they would have kept Jared McCann instead!). Nonetheless, this would be a trade that would make sense for both sides.






Brock Boeser

     


     The main reason why Boeser's name gets brought up as a potential trade target for the Penguins is because of the connection with Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford. Boeser, who is still young at 25, has 235 points in 295 career games. While he is due for a raise, if one steps back and looks at the big picture, is he the back up plan if the Penguins and Kris Letang cannot come to terms this off-season? If that's the plan, the Penguins will have to cough up some pieces, likely 1st round pick or top prospects, (maybe Pierre-Oliver Joseph?) and nhl roster players.





Nick Holden


Holden is a low-risk, high reward. He would come cheap at around $1.7 million. Experience that would provide depth should anyone go down with an injury. Able to provide offense when needed and has size the Penguins could use (6ft 4 210lbs.) Look at this being a more suitable option the Pens take a look at.



     With the trade deadline still over a month away, anything can still happen. Players could get hot, injuries happen, and other trade targets become available for the right price. We will see what the Penguins will do, hopefully Hextall doesnt go too crazy though and just makes a trade to make a trade much like Rutherford was doing near the end of his stint as GM. It will need to be a right fit!



 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

What Carlos Dunlap Brings To The Seattle Seahawks

 



     After a disappointing performance by the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 7 loss to Arizona, they went out and traded for veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap of the Cincinnati Bengals. While Dunlap has registered only one sack halfway through the season, he will be able to bring a veteran presence to this Seattle defense, that has been uncharacteristically one of the least productive in the league. The Seahawks have also given up the most passing touchdowns to date. 


     Conversely, this could be what Dunlap needs, which is a fresh start and scenery after a slow start to the season. Being traded to a Super Bowl contender could be and extra motivation factor for him to start producing at a familiar clip, after having a reduced role this season for the Bengals. 

Monday, October 26, 2020

Tyler Lockett Becomes First Seattle Seahawk Since 1987 To Amass 200 Yards Receiving in Seattles OT Loss To Arizona

 


     While the result of the game did not end in his team's favor, Tyler Lockett made some history for the Seattle Seahawks in what was also a career day for the wideout. For only the second time in franchise history, Lockett accumulated 200 receiving yards for Seattle, (Only Steve Largent had more with 261 yards in 1987 against the Detroit Lions). Lockett was Russell Wilson's favorite target on the night, all three of his touchdown passes going to him, along with 15 receptions. Lockett now has 542 receiving yards and is tied for 1st with 7 touchdowns among all receivers.


                                                                                               (Image source: NESN)