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Dissecting Latest Penguins Trade Rumors
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- Dissecting Latest Penguins Trade Rumors
Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rusts. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
The Pittsburgh Penguins essentially lost eight straight games, even though it was technically a winless streak. As the losses mounted, the expectation that the Penguins would fall from the playoff race increasingly became reality.
Without a playoff chase, a few veterans would become superfluous and make for perfect Penguins trade fodder.
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First, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun , who has been closely following the travels of Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios, reported that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas had made a couple of the team's right-handed defensemen available: Connor Clifton and Matt Dumba .
Staios was believed to be in Pittsburgh scouting the Penguins last week.
Analysis: It would only make sense that Dumba, whom the team waived two weeks ago, would be available. However, his $3.75 million salary makes a simple deal for a draft pick very unlikely.
The Penguins would need to accept a player in return, and that would probably be a similar unwanted salary.
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Clifton has been solid in his time beside Ryan Graves as the Penguins' third pairing. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, among the Penguins' regular defense pairs, they have the highest Corsi (55%), expected goals-for ratio (60%), and high-danger scoring chances (66%).
Numbers can be deceiving. The eye test on Clifton has been good. After an initial period in which he was physical but overaggressive in that pursuit, Clifton has been good in the defensive zone. For a team with a need on the right side, Clifton would be a solid get and affordable.
However, do the Penguins want to entrust the right side solely to Jack St. Ivany, Dumba, and potentially Harrison Brunicke ? The bigger picture is that such a move would be a risk to a potential playoff spot but would compromise the team without a significant return–unless or until St. Ivany claims the right side.
Bryan Rust
"I spent the summer in Canada, so I heard them–probably more than you," Bryan Rust quipped about the summer trade rumors that prominently featured him.
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The latest report to bring up Rust came from Chris Johnston of The Athletic , who put Rust on his latest trade board, reporting he has been a frequent target.
Erik Karlsson and Stuart Skinner were also on Johnston's trade board.
Analysis: Skinner's play over the next months will determine if he has trade value or how much. He has been just fine thus far in his two-game Penguins tenure.
Karlsson remains the great unknown because he is the Penguins' top defenseman and has a full no-movement clause. He has more of a say than Dubas.
However, Rust's situation remains easy to report. Dubas has stated unequivocally on multiple occasions that Rust is available … for a "sky high" price.
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Rust, 33, has two more years beyond this season remaining on his contract, and his play remains top-line worthy. Rust is a rare breed who kills penalties but also skates on the top power play.
Given his chemistry with Sidney Crosby , the Penguins' current competitiveness, and Rust's position within the locker room hierarchy, a deal is possible, but it remains unlikely.
Perhaps in the summer. Perhaps next season. But Dubas has no motivation or urgency to make such a move now, losing a top-line winger who had 31 goals last season and is on pace for another 28 to 30-goal season.
In fact, trading Rust anytime soon without an impressive haul would send a clear signal that the present doesn't matter, which could have significantly negative results both now and in the near future.
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The post Dissecting Latest Penguins Trade Rumors appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
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