When I announced my semi-retirement from blogging a while back, I mentioned I’d probably still write when something got me fired up.
Well, those smoldering coals have been stoked to a bonfire pitch over rumors that Penguins POHO/GM Kyle Dubas is pushing hard to acquire Stars RFA winger Jason Robertson.
I’ll come right to the point. Unless Dubas is able to swing an absolute sweetheart of a deal (highly unlikely), Robertson is certain to cost a king’s ransom in established players, prospects and draft picks. To say nothing of salary.
PP colleague Caleb DiNatale, who loves the soon-to-be 27-year-old sniper but is dead-set against such a deal, suggests that promising kids like Egor Chinakhov and/or Ben Kindel could very well be included in the return package.
Personally, I think such a trade at this stage would be a massive overreach on Dubas’ part. One that would undo so much of the good work he’s done to date.
Yes, it might prop the Pens up in the very short-run and make them a skosh more competitive. But eventually, especially when franchise icon Sidney Crosby fades and retires, the Pens are going to slip. It’s a hard, cold reality. As unavoidable as death and taxes. To say nothing of the rest of our aging core following suit, some of whom (Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust) might be going to the Stars in return.
There’d literally be no one of stature to get Robertson the puck. As promising as he is, Kindel projects to be a second-line center at best. If he stays.
Robertson would literally be an island unto himself, and a mega-costly one at that.
Speaking of finances, yesterday the California native rebuffed an eight-year, sign-and-trade deal with the Kraken that would’ve netted him a cool $15 million per season.
If there’s a silver lining, Robertson may regard (perhaps disregard) the ‘Burgh with the same disdain as he did Seattle. That is, a less-than-favorable destination, one to be avoided.
Yes, I know we have gobs of cap space, especially if established players are going back to the Stars in return. And I understand the allure and temptation for Dubas to try and land such a big fish. In this case, arguably the best left wing in hockey and an uber-accomplished scorer who’s topped 40 goals three times in the past five seasons (and 30 in another).
That doesn’t make trading for Robertson a good idea.
Frankly, it feels like an ill-conceived attempt to short-cut and circumvent the inevitable rebuilding process. One that will only serve to divest us of hard-earned assets and young talent and actually extend our time in the trough. Especially since one of the strengths of this season’s team and the organization in general was depth and balance.
For these reasons and more, I say pass on Robertson.
Long time reader first time commenter. I read from a few sources Robertson denied Seattle due to the Millionaire tax. The latest rumors have Robertson’s rights being traded (without negotiations) or having him go into free agency as a RFA for Dallas. It is sounding like his trade cost has decreased dramatically.
At first I did think if the Penguins were going to mortgage the future and empty the cupboards for someone it wouldn’t be worth it. I do raise an eyebrow at the idea of bringing in Robertson if it only cost Rakell some lower prospects and a pick or two.
This of course would only be an idea if the Nurse deal doesn’t transpire. I do agree with the other Rick I would love Podkolzin coming back in a Nurse deal. I sadly don’t believe a deal is going to happen between us and Edmonton.
Finally I will say I was super excited about getting the Ruck twins because of this website and it’s writers! Keep up the great work!!
Frederick,
I didn’t read any articles about why Robertson turned down Seattle but I did/do suspect that was/maybe the reason. It makes complete sense.
Rick,
I get it, if Dubas sells cap space to Edmonton (Darnell Nurse) and he gets paid Podokolzn and draft picks and maybe Graves contract in the exchange (amount of payment commiserate with Graves and or Girard leaving). If Edmonton is trying to grab Rust in exchange for that idiotic contract then NO WAY! The only way you trade Rust is in December at the earliest and the team is out of Playoff contention.
I also get it, if Dubas can talk San Jose into selling us their No.2 over all for our 22nd pick, Kindel, and a 2nd round pick. I would prefer that 2nd round pick be one of the 3 we have next season and not either we have this season. However, I do understand the gamble to nab Stenberg or McKenna – whoever Toronto doesn’t take.
The only rumor I could get behind is the rumor I heard that Ottawa was interested in Rakell. No offense to Rakell, I would be quite content with Dubas doing nothing rather than over tinkering with the team like he did with the Kulak trade. However, if Ottawa wants Rakell then I talk. With the rift between some American players that were snubbed by Canadian fans after the US Gold in the last international tournament, then I want Sanderson in return. I would be willing to give up not just Rakell but Prospects (McGroarty, Koivunen, and Pickering come to mind) and maybe a 2nd round pick.
Of all the above trade discussion, only the Sanderson trade may be able to improve the team. All of the other idiocy I have heard and read weakens the team substantially. The cost does not outweigh the benefit to any of those iill-conceived ideas.
Hey Other Rick,
I like your thinking and agree with you. I especially like your idea of trying to acquire Sanderson. He’s only 23 and already a stud of an all-arounder. Plays the left side, too.
Have no idea what the cost would be in terms of what we’d have to give up or even if the Sens would remotely consider moving him. You mentioned Rakell as a trade chip. I’d guess a high-profile younger player would also need to be added to the mix and perhaps a significant pick. Seeing how he appears to be dead-ended here and the Sens need goaltending, maybe Blomqvist could be part of the package.
I’d 100 times rather have a young, up-and-comer like Sanderson than a vet like Nurse, who may have already peaked. Having said that, like you I covet Podkolzin and would love to find a way to get him. Don’t think the Oilers would be too willing to part with him, though.
Rick
Rick,
I know that Blomqvist is the best goalie in the Penguins system – has been since he came across the pond, but this team has totally disrespected that kid. I would dearly love to see the Pens go with a tandem of Blomqvist and Murashov. Unfortunately, the track record of Dubas on knowing what a real Goalie looks like, both here and in Toronto precludes my wish. Therefore, I would not have a problem if Dubas would use him in a trade to get Sanderson. This kid’s career is being wasted in an organization that is clueless about Goalies.
Both teams would win in this scenerio. Ottawa is hurting right now for Goalies, at least as bad as us. From what I have heard there is a push in Fla to get Ullmark, their number 2, Reimer is 38 and UFA, they just traded their number 3, Ersson, their number 4 Merilainen is RFA; they could sorely use Blomqvist and wouldn’t be as stupid as us to play Silovs instead of Blomqvist.
And our Penguins would get an NHL level LHD. I could see Karlsson really show what he has in the past with help from another real NHL defenseman.
Rick,
We talked about this just a couple of minutes ago, but I will say it again here on these boards – if this rumor is true, this stinks to high Heaven of the Tavares debacle in Toronto. The Captain of our Penguins appears to not have learned from previous mistakes.
100% agreed, to any sane individual, for all of the reasons you have stated and more, hard pass on Robertson. He is an all star player to be sure, but this deal makes absolutely no sense in the world. If Dubas has no ability to think critically, then I pray that Robertson nixes any deal to come and languish in Pittsburgh when all the players that could help him get a legacy are gone from retiring to being sent to Dallas in return for this catastrophe proposition to come to fruition.