Dan’s Daily: Rejected Trade Offers for Necas; Penguins Add Special Prospect
The Pittsburgh Penguins were about prospects Tuesday. They announced they would again play in the Prospects Challenge, which is held annually in Buffalo, released their prospects roster, and signed Sergei Murashov, who could be a special prospect. Oh, and we laid out what a Patrik Laine to the Penguins trade could look like. Conversely, the NHL trade rumors boiled after it seemed the Carolina Hurricanes rejected a couple of big offers for Martin Necas, including one from the Winnipeg Jets. And Eric Staal has called it a day.
Well, we are eight days from the day many believe that Sidney Crosby will sign a contract. We’re also days away from me going nuts because this summer has flown past, and we’re already looking forward to the September prospects tournament. I make big plans in my head and never get a chance to follow through. With any luck, I’ll at least get to a Montreal Alouettes game before it’s all over. With a lot of luck, I’ll get back to Halifax for a donair and a Propeller golden lager.
Also, this morning at 10 a.m., PHN+ subscribers will receive the full PHN Penguins Prospect Rankings pdf file. I condensed it to 3500 words, but if you didn’t get a chance to read all three installments, the file has all of the ranks and breakdowns in one place. You can keep it on file to check my work in a year.
So, here we go.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It might be a bit of a long shot, but the NHL trade chatter around Patrik Laine hasn’t yet picked a favorite. Only a couple of teams really fit. Here’s what a Penguins trade could look like.
I edited and then undid the edit of the Laine story. After publishing, I panicked when I saw the Winnipeg Jets had picked up 26% of Laine’s salary. Winnipeg did eat 26%, but that was Laine’s previous contract. If you read the story with the incorrect cap figure, I apologize.
The Prospects Challenge in Buffalo is an important event because it brings the Penguins’ best together and they get to really compete against other pretty good prospect rosters. Here’s the 2024 Prospects Challenge schedule.
The roster is stacked, including both recent first-round picks and all of the top prospects. Here’s the Penguins rookie tournament roster.
The big news of the day was the arrival of a former fourth-round pick who is turning out to be a steal. He dominated the development camp after posting silly numbers in the Russian junior league and equally good numbers in six KHL games. Without further ado, Sergei Murashov signed his ELC.
Like Owen Pickering, I was intrigued when I saw his stats online. And like Pickering, after the camp, I began counting down to his arrival. I think it’s going to be quite interesting to see how this all plays out. The Penguins have six goalies in the organization and three nets. I think all six are beyond playing in the ECHL.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The MLB trade deadline and the Pirates dabbled. They didn’t land a big fish, but the experts seem to think they did OK. The “big” trade was getting a bat for the outfield. Bryan De La Cruz was the Pirates trade get.
To see all of the trades, head to Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
Steelers Now: Shocker in Latrobe. The guys are in pads in live action, and the offense physically steamrolled the defense. Alan Saunders was on the scene, and everyone was buzzing about the Steelers’ offense.
NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now
Daily Faceoff (podcast): It seems the Winnipeg Jets made a pretty good run at Martin Necas, but Carolina rejected an offer that included Rutger McGroarty and Cole Perfetti!?! It seems they weren’t that interested in putting Necas on the trade block and declined a couple of offers.
Buffalo Hockey Now: There are conflicting reports about whether the Buffalo Sabres made a good run at Necas. Either way, the Sabres left empty-handed. But if they did make an offer, here are the details or non-details of the potential Sabres trade.
Sportsnet: No one will ever wear No. 12 in Carolina again. It was a heck of a career for the center, who could have been a Penguins pivot if former GM Craig Patrick didn’t get Marc-Andre Fleury in a draft-day trade. Eric Staal signed a one-day contract and retired as a Hurricane after an 18-year career.
Boston Hockey Now: Andrew Fantucchio talked to the Atlantic Division writers. Are the B’s the new beast of the East? It seems everyone is watching anxiously and has circled the Boston Bruins.
Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors Penguins
I would prefer that Rakell be part of a trade for Laine. This brings in another player that can score, especially on the PP. the package should be close to a cap swap. Rakell, Accairi, another 30+ player.
Laine has greater than a 50% chance to be a flop. But for the right package back to CBJ it is worth the chance.
Carolina turned down an offer with McGroarty and Perfetti? I’d have to see the details, but maybe Carolina thinks that McGroarty isn’t NHL ready (regardless of what he says) and is worried they’d end up losing him by not immediately giving him an NHL jersey.
If ya do make it back to Halifax , the Propeller and the donair are on me 😉 Tried to get ya to try the seafood platter while you was here last time…but that was a no go . lol