Penguins
Penguins Trade for Faded Prospect Tomasino from NSH; Full Analysis
The Pittsburgh Penguins made a minor trade Monday that they hope will eventually pay more than small dividends. They acquired former first-round pick Philip Tomasino from the Nashville Predators for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Update: The pick will be the New York Rangers’ selection that the Penguins acquired for Chad Ruhwedel at the 2024 NHL trade deadline.
The slight irony of the deal is minutes before the trade, the Penguins re-assigned Sam Poulin to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Poulin was the Penguins 2019 first-round pick, 21st overall. Tomasino was Nashville’s 2019 first-round pick, selected 24th overall.
Like Poulin, Tomasino, 23, has not been able to solidify his spot in the NHL. Since making his debut in the 2021-22 NHL season, the right-wing has played in 159 NHL games, scoring 23 goals with 71 points while averaging 12:35 of ice time.
Tomasino will be a restricted free agent after this season and carries an $825,000 salary cap hit.
Scouting reports on Tomasino tout his hockey IQ and above-average skating, but his strength leaves something to be desired. He’s listed at 6 feet, 179 pounds, but has just one assist in 11 games this season. Last season, he split time between Nashville and their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. He scored 18 points (11-7-18) in the AHL and 20 points (7-13-20) in 41 NHL games.
Despite spending big on the free agent market in July, Nashville has struggled early in the season. They’re just 7-11-3 with a new lineup featuring longtime Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos and Vegas Golden Knights fan favorite Jonathan Marchessault.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and Nashville GM Barry Trotz hooked up on a trade in August when the Penguins acquired Cody Glass because Trotz also included a third-round pick so the Penguins would accept Glass’s $2.5 million salary cap hit.
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Not a big move, but at least Dubas is trying SOMETHING 🤷🏻♂️
This is the type of move I would have expected in December 2023. But at least there was a minor deal, not significant, but a start. He is young, maybe something that clicks down the line.
Yep, a young prospect worth a shot for basically a 5th rd pick, since it’s the Rags pick.
Another dart throw. Thanks, HexBurke.
He will quickly end up in Wilkes with Lizotte and Glass returning from injuries soon.There is no place for him on the big club. Unless there are other trades coming.
I’d rather watch Tomasino than Matt Nieto at this point
That won’t shake up the locker room.
Wonder if they tried to swap Poulin for Tomasino straight up and kept the 4th round pick.
I guess according to two people the Tomasino trade will shake up the locker room.
Not a bad trade for the cost. Maybe the change of scene and more consistent role will help Tomasino’s game and consistency. If not, he’s gone at years end. No harm, no foul. I doubt there’s going to be any big game hunting this year, so hopefully one of these former first round reclamation projects pans out.
Losing a 4th rounder would be the loss if this trade goes foul. That would at least hold his rights since he’s an RFA.
*Yawn*
I like this move. A young fast player with some skill and pedigree. He’s not a 4th line guy so play him with Sid and see if he can produce anything.
Everyone gets to play with Sid at least once in their life, right? I mean,… it’s on all the marketing brochures.
Yeah he’s gotta play in the top six, which is a Sully decision, so I’m sure he’ll be the 13 th forward 🤦♂️
Low risk, I like the move good depth and potentially could lead to someone else being moved.
Oh no!! Dubas traded away one of their valuable future assets…
We need to trade Dubas, preferred Rutherford, Hextall was a mole sent to destroy the Pens. Sad to see Sid have to endure all this mismanagement to the team…
Sid was the problem tbh, dictating to management another fantasy run at a cup.
You’re on to something here. Why did they listen to the core to keep them together? Now look at them.
A 2027, likely late 4th rounder when you already have your 4th rounder that year, your 1st rounder, 2 2nds, and 2 3rds is not throwing away valuable assets. You’re paying a very low cost for a 23 year old, .5 ppg player, former first round pick with talent from an organization who is known for not developing their 1st rounders, trading them, and those former players excelling. This was the pick we got for Ruhwedel so we basically traded Ruhwedel for Tomasino. I’ll take it. I’m of the position we should not use any of our future assets but… Read more »
Sorry, I’ll label my comment as “sarcasm” next time I use it – thanks for the groundbreaking analysis though… (sarcasm)
Put Rackell & Poulin in a trade package…
Another soft pillow for the bed of despair.
Underrated comment.
So useless Puusty is still on the roster? I like the trade actually, Duby plans on acquiring young prospects and draft picks. Tomasino needs to play in the top six or don’t even bother. Which is why Sully needs to go.
Another useless trade by Dubas. How many of these failed prospects is he planning to accumulate? Not a single one of them has been worthwhile. Just another wasted roster spot. And no, Puustinen is not useless.
Dude got 20 points in 41 games last year. That is better than 80% of our forwards isn’t it!
He wont be with the big club long. In the near future Glass and Lizotte will be back and he will be with Poulin on the baby Pens. Unless there are some more trades coming.
There’s is nothing Nieto is doing that Puusty couldn’t do…he’s younger, faster, and cheaper…how can any of these young guys get in any kind of rhythm when they play 6-7 mins a night and are moved up and down the lineup ?
The Sullivan way.
Another under achiever! he aught to fit right in?
Another midget-like finesse skater that opposing Ds can rag doll.
Dubas…polishing the doorknobs on the Titanic.
I am a Penguins from Canada. I’m sick of the whiny fair weather fans who have no understanding that this team is at the end of a long successful lifecycle that included 3 cups. Stop your complaining and have some faith in the process. Either way they were NOT winning the cup this year. Hope for development of players and be happy to see more stockpiled draft picks.
This is a waste of cap that could have been used to make other moves that would have included a prospect(s).
and the band played on…