Penguins Update: Say it Ain’t So—Part Deux

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse…

Rumors are flying hot and heavy that Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is attempting to trade right wing Patric Hornqvist to Florida for defenseman Mike Matheson.

As much as it pains me to part with Hornqvist, I’m not totally averse to dealing him. If the Pens are to make any serious changes over the off-season they’ve got to shed salary. But to trade their emotional and spiritual power plant for a mistake and turnover prone 26-year-old defenseman who has an onerous $4.875 annual cap hit that stretches through the 2025-26 season?

It smacks of the type of trade Rutherford routinely made with Carolina during that five-season stretch when the ‘Canes failed to qualify for the postseason. Which led to JR being booted upstairs before joining the Pens.

The downside of GMJR’s aggressive, gambling style.

As of this posting, the deal has hit a snag. Apparently, the team has been unable to contact Hornqvist in order to approve the deal…he has a no-trade clause in his contract. Insurance issues are rumored to be a sticking point as well.

Matheson, 26, does possess some positive attributes. He can skate and he’s got a hard shot that he puts to good use, netting 33 goals over his four NHL seasons. He’s got size (6’2” 188), at least by black-and-gold standards.

He’s reputed to be good at offensive-zone entries and d-zone exits, areas of weakness for the Pens. However, he’s not so hot with 5-vs-5 shot attempts…minus-168 for his career and his Corsi’s nothing to write home about (48.9) either.

Did I mention the turnovers? A league-leading 135 giveaways in 2018-19 (to go with a minus-24) and 92 the season before. To put that in perspective, Kris Letang totaled 165 giveaways over the same stretch.

Plus, the Quebec native’s a left-hand shot. The Pens’ need is on the right side.

A headscratcher.

Personally, I hope the deal gets killed.