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Trade or keep: Kevin Hayes
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/11/24363510/trade-or-keep-kevin-hayes
Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images
He might have more trade value than you expect.
We continue with our “keep or trade” look at potential trade chips for the Pittsburgh Penguins by examining the case of forward Kevin Hayes.
Previous entries:
Trade or keep: Rickard Rakell
The Penguins’ addition of Kevin Hayes should have been a pretty good window into what their goals and expectations for the 2024-25 season were going to look like.
The main purpose of the trade was not necessarily about putting together the best possible team this season (even if he did seem to be a marginal upgrade over some of the bottom-six options from a year ago), but the ability to add a future second-round draft pick from a team that might not be very good in the coming seasons.
It started off as a 2025 second-round pick, but the Penguins traded that pick (and a 2026 fifth-round pick) back to the Blues (so they could sign their offer sheets with former Edmonton Oilers restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway) in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick.
Since the Blues were only paying half of Hayes’ $7 million cap hit per season, the Penguins eventually added what should be pretty early second-and third-round picks over the next two years for nothing more than taking on a $3.5 million salary cap number this season and next season.
The question now is whether or not they can add to that return by flipping Hayes again at the deadline.
He might actually have some value.
The argument for keeping him
Even if you conclude the Penguins are rebuilding or re-tooling, they still have to put an NHL roster on the ice next season. Somebody has to be out there, and it can not just be all young players free agent reclamation projects around Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Hayes is still a serviceable NHL player, and his salary cap number for one more season would not be overly problematic. You would also still have the opportunity to flip him at that trade deadline as a rental.
He might not be a game-changer, but he will still probably score you 14-18 goals and can play some different roles throughout the lineup. There is some value in that.
Even if the Penguins did trade Hayes this season they would probably sign a comparable player in the offseason to fill that spot that they could also flip at next year’s deadline.
With the salary cap increasing, and with the way free agency already works, a comparable player will almost certainly cost you way more than $3.5 million on the open market.
If you are going to do that again anyway, you already have that guy on your roster.
The argument for trading him
It is not complicated. He is 32 years old, is not part of the long-term outlook, and will likely not be a Pittsburgh Penguin the next time the team is seriously competitive. If there is a market for him, you have to explore it. If you can get a respectable offer for him, you have to take it.
I do think there could be a market for him.
There is cost certainty with his contract through the end of next season, and he can provide some depth scoring. I wouldn’t use my last salary retention spot on him if I were the Penguins, and they probably shouldn’t need to because his salary cap number isn’t that prohibitive given that the Philadelphia Flyers are still paying half of it.
Going back in time my initial reaction to the Hayes acquisition was to be underwhelmed. But I was looking at it strictly from a “does this get the Penguins closer to the playoffs?” mindset.
That was probably never the goal.
When you look at it from a more big picture outlook they have already picked up two draft picks for simply using some already empty salary cap space. I get it. Especially if, and when, they can add another long-term asset as part of it.
Trade or keep?
This is a lot easier than the Rakell decision, because whether it is at the trade deadline this year, over the offseason, or at the trade deadline next year they are almost certain to trade Hayes at some point.
I would not expect a significant return, but if you can land yourself another second-round pick or comparable value you have simply added multiple assets to your organization for .... nothing. That is smart business for a re-tooling team, and goes back to the argument that Kyle Dubas has done a really, really good job when it comes to the big-picture moves and asset management. The more immediate NHL moves are still debatable, but the asset management has been very, very strong.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/11/24363510/trade-or-keep-kevin-hayes
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QMJHL names its rookie of the year trophy after Sidney Crosby
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/12...rookie-of-the-year-trophy-after-sidney-crosby
SetNumber: X69498 TK1
Crosby scored 120 goals and 303 points in 120 games for Rimouski Oceanic.
Sidney Crosby has earned a new honor with the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League naming its rookie of the year trophy after the Penguins captain.
Crosby was selected first overall in the 2003 QMJHL Entry Draft and lit up the scoreboard while playing for the Rimouski Oceanic, scoring 120 goals, 183 assists, and 303 points in just 120 games before being selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005.
The league is now naming its rookie of the year trophy after Crosby and they had the award on display for Crosby to see.
“Some of my fondest memories of hockey come from my time in the QMJHL playing for the Océanic, Crosby said. “It is an absolute honor to have the League’s Rookie of the Year Trophy named after me.
“The Rookie of the Year trophy did not have an official name. When the trophy committee met, Sidney Crosby’s name quickly became the unanimous choice,” explained QMJHL Commissioner Mario Cecchini. “He has left such an important mark on the history of the Océanic and the QMJHL, and you can see how proud he is of his time with us every time he talks about it. What’s more, the timing is perfect with the presentation of the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski.”
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/12...rookie-of-the-year-trophy-after-sidney-crosby
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Trade or keep: Michael Bunting
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/13/24364884/trade-or-keep-michael-bunting
Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images
Michael Bunting has been a nice addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins power play and still has one more year after this remaining on his contract with the team.
We continue with our “keep or trade” look at potential trade chips for the Pittsburgh Penguins by examining the case of forward Michael Bunting.
Previous entries:
Trade or keep: Rickard Rakell
Trade or keep: Kevin Hayes
As difficult as it had to be for the Pittsburgh Penguins to trade Jake Guentzel, they did pretty well for themselves in the return for a rental. Prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen are having nice seasons in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, while the second-round pick turned out to be defenseman Harrison Brunicke who is already looking like another promising prospect coming into the system.
Along with the prospects, they also received a legitimate NHL player in Michael Bunting.
For the most part, Bunting has been a welcome addition to the lineup. There is nothing overly impressive about his skillset, but he brings an element to the forward group that had been lacking and he has really helped improve the power play.
He is still signed for next season at $4.5 million, so just as was the case with Rickard Rakell and Kevin Hayes there is no immediate rush to move him over the next few weeks.
So let’s talk about what to potentially do with him.
The argument for keeping him
It is a matter of value.
The first question you have to ask yourself with players is this: Does their value around the league (their trade value) outweigh their actual on-ice value to you as a player?
If it does, that is when you should be looking for a trade.
If it does not, then it is probably not in your best interest to move the player.
In Bunting’s case, I am not entirely sure his value around the league is greater than his current value to the Penguins.
That is not to say that he is a core player or somebody whose contract should be extended beyond what it already is. It is just that I am not sure you move him and get enough of a return that it makes it worth to create another hole on your lineup that you have to eventually fill.
Are you going to get a first-round pick for him? Or an A-or B-level prospect? Given that he was only one part of a five-piece return for a rental player (even if that rental player is great) a year ago, I am having a difficult time seeing that sort of value coming back for just him.
He is good, but he is not somebody that teams are going to fight each other over.
His contract is not bad, but it is not entirely cheap, either.
He brings a little bit of a sandpaper element to the forward group, he has been really good on the power play, he can score the type of garbage goals the Penguins have been lacking since Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist left, and he is going to score you 20-25 goals overall. That’s not nothing.
If he was a pending unrestricted free agent after this season that you had no interest in re-signing, like an Anthony Beauvillier or Matt Grzelcyk, then by all means flip him for a third-or fourth-round pick and call it a day.
That is not the case, however. You still have him for another year. You can still try to get something out of him as a player.
The argument for trading him
You are not going to make the playoffs this season, and it would take some major improvements to make the playoffs next season. So, really, does it matter if you are trading away a productive and useful player for a little less than their actual value? In the grand scheme of things, probably not. Especially if it gives you some sort of a future asset that might eventually turn into something when you are good again.
Even more so if you are just going to simply trade him at the deadline next season when his value will be lower than it is now just simply based on the fact he will be a rental at that point instead of still having term remaining on his contract.
In keeping with the efforts of the rebuild, or re-tooling, or whatever you want to call it, it does make some sense to shop him this season.
Trade or keep
Unless I am badly missing on what Bunting’s trade value would be, I honestly think I am coming up with more reasons to keep him than trade him at this point this season. I am also not sure Kyle Dubas would be in any hurry to move him, anyway. Dubas loves his guys that he has a history with, and Bunting is very much one of his guys. When March 8 roles around I would be stunned if Bunting were playing for another team in the NHL.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/13/24364884/trade-or-keep-michael-bunting
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Mario Lemieux gets standing ovation in return to Montreal at 4 Nations opening game
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/13...-return-to-montreal-at-4-nations-opening-game
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Lemieux unveiled a ceremonial banner before Canada and Sweden kicked off the tournament.
Mario Lemieux was back in his hometown of Montreal on Wednesday night for the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament and was welcomed with a thundering standing ovation at the Bell Centre.
Lemieux unveiled a ceremonial banner before Canada and Sweden kicked off the tournament and also made a surprise visit to Team Canada’s locker room to announce the team’s starting lineup.
Lemieux’s ovation had the Bell Centre crowd on its feet and the Penguins legend flashed a big smile when calling over current team captain and fellow Pittsburgh legend Sidney Crosby to join on the celebratory action.
Montreal LOVES Mario Lemieux#4Nations
: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMaxhttps://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+
— NHL (@NHL) February 13, 2025
After the 4-3 overtime win against Sweden, Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday night was the first time he ever got to meet Lemieux.
Canada will be back in action on Saturday night when they play their second game of the tournament against Team USA. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/13...-return-to-montreal-at-4-nations-opening-game
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Crosby, Lemieux, Sullivan and thoughts about 4 Nations who are finally facing off
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/14...ff-nhl-mario-lemieux-sidney-crosby-canada-usa
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Thoughts after one round of games in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-off
All four teams have played a game in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-off, here are some random thoughts and impressions after the first bit of action is in the books.
Really, you have to credit the NHL for essentially having not just one All-Star game this season, but seven different All-Star games. That’s not meant with any condescension, this 4 Nations Face-off isn’t the perfect idea but it’s got to be close to a perfect money maker. And it does just enough to scratch the itch of best-on-best international action where it’s been far too long since NHL players have competed in this venue.
USA
- That out of the way, Saturday night is going to be some tremendous theater when Canada/USA lock up in Montreal. Canada is the typical juggernaut, and this generation of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar finally get into the international spotlight. The Americans might be an even deeper team these days.
- Mike Sullivan said he wanted the US to play with attitude and swag (he’s gotta be too old to say that) but the Americans were only so-so to start the game. So Sullivan took matters into his own hands by making an adjustment to put the Tkachuk brothers on a line and then the attitude and swag took care of itself with the US pulling away for a 6-1 victory. Nice move there, if not exactly a difficult one to stumble across.
- I think the first game shows from Sullivan what you’re going to get out of Team USA in this event. Namely, plenty of Auston Matthews, Jake Guentzel, Jack Eichel and the Tkachuk boys. Everyone else is just kinda there, the core of the team is what it is at this point.
- That said, Brady Tkachuk (13:39) only had six more seconds of ice-time than Vincent Trocheck (13:33). It felt like B. Tkachuk (8 hits, 9 shot attempts, 2 goals) played about 20 minutes. My goodness he was a force of nature out there. For a guy who has never played an NHL playoff game, this was meeting his first big moment by making a crashing impact. It was a glorious sight to see.
- Pretty cool for Sullivan that he gets to be reunited with Guentzel and also coach his son-in-law Charlie MacAvoy at this event. Add in David Quinn as an assistant as basically a brother-like figure and it’s a family affair for Sullivan and the Yanks.
- This can’t really be considered a coming out party for Zach Werenski, who is 27 and been a full-time NHLer since the 2016-17 season and been known as a top player for a while. But when the dust settles the hockey world might recognize how good he is. Three assists last night for Werenski, in the NHL season he has 59 points in 55 games and logs a league-high 26:53 per game. He should win the Norris this year, and though this event technically won’t have anything to do with NHL season awards, it will still help put a much-deserved spotlight on Werenski just the same.
- Werenski also might have had the quote of the tournament too, regarding the Tkachuk’s: “It’s annoying to face one of them in the NHL at once. I can’t imagine both of them.” No one can look forward to that, but it makes for some fun hockey.
Canada
- When Mario Lemieux got a hearty and loud pre-game ovation from the Montreal faithful prior to CAN/SWE, it kinda felt like the whole event peaked before the first puck was even dropped. Tough to top that.
- Given the breadth of talent Team Canada has there would be no bad choices, but Mark Stone is such a good selection to put with Crosby. Stone is something of this generation’s Marian Hossa — a winger good enough away from the puck to garner legit Selke buzz, while offensively being good enough to score about a point per game. That type of heady player who thinks a 200-foot game is a perfect fit for Crosby. It paid off instantly in the first game, note the first few seconds of this clip. Stone is ahead of the play in tight support but is so smart to read it and turn back from his breakout immediately to steal the puck back and then trigger the zone exit. It’s a high-level and wonderful play that starts the sequence where he would eventually score a goal.
- Many wondered if this tournament would matter or what meaning a contrived and invented event would hold. Fair enough, but watching Crosby elevate his game and seeing the telltale classic Sid greatness performance says all it needs to say. This event is important if only because the players are treating it with importance and making it special on their own accord.
- McDavid and MacKinnon are so fun to watch. It’s like they attack the ice with their fierce skating style that generates so much movement and power, always a treat to see and so visually pleasing to sit back and enjoy.
- One thing I notice from both of them is that they think so fast and move so fast, sometimes it seems like they pass the puck harder or sooner to teammates in a way a little quicker than they can keep up. Neither of those two had any even strength points on the night, it’ll be interesting to see if they burst out and just need some familiarization and acclimation with new teammates or how steep the learning curve could be.
- Which is one way to say, pending the results of this event, Canada may want to consider making Zach Hyman the “Chris Kunitz 2014” member of the OIympics next season to play with McDavid the way Kunitz did with Crosby a decade ago. Sometimes chemistry pays off more than pure skill in a quick tournament.
- Sucked to see Shea Theodore get hurt. Canada’s blueline is going to have to weather a storm from the big, heavy, aggressive American forecheck tomorrow night. The intensity of the first games were very good but Saturday should be off the charts. Hopefully no one else gets hurt but the matchup of Canada’s defense versus the American forecheck could be a deciding factor in the outcome of the game.
Sweden
- Erik Karlsson got to be in a sheltered role on Wednesday, playing the fourth most minutes of any Swedish defender. It worked, he looked as comfortable on the ice as he has all season. Karlsson’s setup of a goal was classic, he even used his stick defensively to break up some plays.
- Rickard Rakell didn’t record a point but helped screen the goalie on Sweden’s first goal. Thought he played a very strong, very noticeable game. It’s been quite an impressive season for him, and luckily he belatedly found his way onto this team, he deserves to be there and continues to shine.
Finland
- Felt sorry for their defense last night, just too over-manned and eventually the superior talent of the other team ended up pulling away. Sadly, Finland last night was reminiscent of the Penguins this season on a lot of nights where they try hard and might even be right there in the game for 40-45 minutes but then you look up and it’s out of reach.
- It’ll be interesting to see if the Finns can play spoiler and trip someone up along the way, though. Gotta appreciate and admire the intensity and spirit in which they play, hopefully next year at the Olympics they will be a little healthier and ready to challenge for a medal, as they usually do.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/14...ff-nhl-mario-lemieux-sidney-crosby-canada-usa
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Pens Points: USA tops Finland
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/14...off-penguins-bunting-nhl-subban-shea-theodore
Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The U.S. earned a dominant win over Finland on Thursday night.
The 4 Nations Face-Off continued Thursday night with a Team USA-Team Finland matchup. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk each scored two goals, and the United States easily handled Finland 6-1 in the first game for both teams at Bell Centre. [NHL]
Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning...
In his latest edition of the “Trade or Keep” series, Gretz tries pinpointing Michael Bunting’s value to determine if trading him now is the best action. [PensBurgh]
American defenseman Charlie McAvoy is an accomplished player and alternate captain for the Boston Bruins. However, the 4 Nations Face-Off means a bit more for him, as he’s not only representing his country on an international stage but doing so while being coached by his father-in-law, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. [Trib Live/AP]
The Penguins swung a minor trade Thursday afternoon, acquiring forward Mathias Laferriere from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for fellow AHLer Corey Andonovski. [Trib Live]
Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has regained his confidence. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL...
The NHL may view the 4 Nations Face-Off as more than just an international tournament or as a precursor to the return to Olympic hockey. The tournament could be a testing ground for future rules or game changes. [Yahoo! Sports]
Former defenseman-turned-analyst P.K. Subban has created a signature dish, dubbed “P.K.’s Power Bowl,” for Canadian food delivery service WeCook. [Sportsnaut]
Injury to key players was always a risk with an in-season international tournament. Even with Shea Theodore’s injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which has since been given a ‘week-to-week’ designation, that should not deter the NHL from having its players in these events. [The Hockey News]
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/14...off-penguins-bunting-nhl-subban-shea-theodore
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4 Nations Faceoff: USA vs. Canada
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/15/24365716/4-nations-faceoff-usa-vs-canada
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
It’s Crosby and his side vs Sullivan and his tonight!
Big one tonight, everybody! Team Canada and USA lock up in Montreal for the most anticipated opening round game of the 4 Nations Face-off. Talk about the event here!
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/15/24365716/4-nations-faceoff-usa-vs-canada
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USA fights, then fights off Canada to establish changing of the guard in international hockey dominance
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/16...hew-tkachuk-sidney-crosby-wrist-mike-sullivan
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
2 Nations weren’t Face-offing they were fighting off in Montreal last night
The Tkachuk boys set the tone and the USA went on to send Canada to their first best-on-best loss in hockey in 15 years (Canada lost 5-3 to the US in round play during in the 2010 Olympics).
Many watching loved it, some hated it, but no one could ignore the message being sent. The Americans, led unsurprisingly by Matthew Tkachuk, were standing up to establish themselves as the bull of the woods, if you will while in heated enemy territory.
“The message we wanted to send is ‘It’s our time,’” Matthew Tkachuk said. “We’re in a hostile environment, and we wanted to show that we’re not backing down. They’ve had so much success over so many years over there. They’re some of the best players in the world. We felt in this environment it was a good time to do it. It was a lot of fun.”
It seems unlikely that Tkachuk was scratching his legs to mark Montreal as his territory when he gave that quote, which might be all that separates him from the animals. Consider it message received, the rest of the night was a USA defensive masterclass. Connor McDavid slipped through once, using his excessive speed and a great outlet pass from Drew Doughty to find space and generate a breakaway. It would be about the only slip of the night, the Americans put Canada on lock down.
Charlie MacAvoy had it from there, throwing massive hits on McDavid, then practically burying Sidney Crosby behind the net later on. The Canadians were no match for this, no team on Earth would be a match for this.
With the defense putting Canada in check, it was just a matter of time before the American’s offense could take advantage of Canada’s weakness in goal. Jake Guentzel started the party with an innocent enough shot going five-hole on Jordan Binnington. Dylan Larkin scored on the rush a period later. It would be all the offense the US would need to win, with Guentzel tacking on an empty netter for good measure.
It was the type of game where Mike Sullivan only used all-world defenders Zach Werenski and Adam Fox for less than 14 minutes on the night. Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber each logged over 25. Given styles and team strengths, you gotta leave the sports cars in the garage for this one, pull out the heavy duty machines for a game like this. And how ‘bout that Slavin, on ice for all three American goals on the night (none against), using his stick to effectively stifle, frustrate and neutralize the opposition as much as MacAvoy’s thundering body checks.
It didn’t help Canada that Cale Makar and Shea Theodore were out. Then again, the US didn’t have the services of Quinn Hughes. It also didn’t help that Sidney Crosby didn’t take any faceoffs in this game (he only took four against Sweden the game before) and still has 0 shots on goals in the tournament. Crosby clearly isn’t 100% and that hurts, especially in comparison to seeing what he is up against when the red, white and blue rolls up against them.
The US team is bigger, stronger, tougher than the Canadians, and equipped with way better goaltending. It led to a very visible, very empathic changing of the guard in Montreal on Saturday night as far as who the alphas in international hockey now are. The Canadians have held that mantle for the last generations but they learned there’s a new bull of the woods, he wears a Tkachuk jersey.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/16...hew-tkachuk-sidney-crosby-wrist-mike-sullivan
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Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby reunite in 4 Nations rivalry matchup
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/15...y-crosby-reunite-in-4-nations-rivalry-matchup
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Guentzel says he has a plan as how to handle playing against his former linemate.
Jake Guentzel knows how he plans to handle playing against Sidney Crosby when Team USA and Team Canada meet for the first time during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Guentzel told Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports his plan is to “try to take his time and space away as much as possible, don’t give him too much and just try to stay above those guys because they can hurt you if you give them chances.”
According to Haase, Sullivan said there was no one at 4 Nations who knows Crosby better than Guentzel.
After all, the two skated in 465 regular-season and playoff games together during Guentzel’s eight and a half season with the Penguins.
Guentzel, who is currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning, is the only member of the Team USA roster who has never represented the United States at the international level (as noted by Sean Shapiro for USA Hockey.)
He celebrated his debut by turning Team USA’s lead over Finland into a blowout in an 11-second span during the team’s Thursday tournament opener.
Seconds after assisting on Matthew Tkachuk’s power play goal, Guentzel put an assist from Auston Matthews in off the crossbar to help lead the United States to a 6-1 win.
After playing alongside Crosby in Pittsburgh and getting chances on a power play staffed by Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, Guentzel is now getting to play alongside Matthews and Tkachuk.
Not too shabby.
Before making his Team USA debut, Guentzel watched Crosby record three assists for Canada in Wednesday’s win over Sweden, according to his 4 Nations Face-Off blog for NHL.com.
“Obviously it was an intense game,” Guentzel wrote. “It just gets you more fired up when you’re watching.”
About tonight’s game against Canada: “That’s a really good team over there, so you just have to make sure you are on top of it.”
He’ll be keeping the blog throughout the tournament, according to NHL.com, so it’ll be worth checking back to see his impressions after playing Team Canada himself.
The puck drops for tonight’s rivalry matchup at 8 p.m. ET. First, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson will lead the charge for Sweden when they take on Team Finland at 1 p.m. ET.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/15...y-crosby-reunite-in-4-nations-rivalry-matchup
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Trade or keep: Bryan Rust
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/17/24367125/trade-or-keep-bryan-rust
Photo by Justin K. Aller/NHLI via Getty Images
Bryan Rust is one of the Pittsburgh Penguins best players and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. Trading him seems unlikely at this point.
We continue with our “keep or trade” look at potential trade chips for the Pittsburgh Penguins by examining the case of forward Bryan Rust.
Previous entries:
Trade or keep: Rickard Rakell
Trade or keep: Kevin Hayes
Trade or keep: Michael Bunting
Bryan Rust’s Pittsburgh Penguins career has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the recent history of the franchise.
He did not arrive as a highly touted draft pick, and during his development throughout the minor leagues he never really stood out much as somebody that would make a significant impact in the NHL.
But he was part of the wave of call-ups during the 2015-16 season that helped completely transform that season and turn an underachieving team into a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion.
Over the past decade he has gone from unheralded prospect, to minor league call-up, to capable depth player, to one of the top players on the team and a core glue guy that has consistently delivered.
He has scored at least 20 goals in six consecutive seasons, having already reached that mark this season, is closing in on 200 goals for his career, and seems to just keep getting better with age.
When the Penguins were faced with the free agency decisions of 2022 where they had to re-sign Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Rickard Rakell and Rust, I was of the belief that Rust was the player to let go and that his potential contract would likely age the worst. It has not aged poorly at all. At least not yet.
He remains signed for three more full seasons after this at a just a little over $5.1 million per season against the salary cap. He also has a full no-movement clause in his contract, giving him full control over whether or not he goes, and where he could go.
The argument for keeping him
Attitude matters. Pride matters. Culture matters. Having people that give a damn about representing your team and playing for the logo matters. Even when you are rebuilding, and even when you are re-tooling, you still need to have people around that know what it is to be a pro, know what it means to play in the NHL, and know how to win.
The reason the full-tear down rebuilds tend to fail is because teams get rid of every competent NHL player they have, create an environment where losing becomes acceptable, and the entire mindset of the organization changes.
Losing breeds losers, and that becomes a very difficult cycle to break.
Bryan Rust is one of the people that has the attitude, pride and culture that you want on your team even as it re-tools. He gives a damn. He is one of the most consistent players the Penguins have, and he is proud to be a Penguin.
That counts for something.
Along with that, he is also still a really good player and a really productive player. He can play a variety of different roles, and he has settled into the top-line spot alongside Sidney Crosby.
The argument for trading him
Aside from Crosby, who is not a realistic trade option, Rust might have the most trade value of anybody on the team in terms of what type of return he could bring. He is on the wrong side of 30, but he should still have some big years ahead of him. He is not a superstar, but he is a bonafide top-line scorer that typically averages around 25-30 goals per 82 games played. He can play all over the lineup and has the Stanley Cup experience general managers love.
If the goal were to get the biggest possible return possible, shopping Rust would be the move in the hopes they could find a team that would give them a haul of players and picks, and a team that Rust would want to join.
Trade or keep
The answer to this will probably be, “it depends on the offer.” But that is true for almost every player on pretty much every team in every season. The other question here is whether or not the Penguins are actually in a hurry to trade Rust, or if he will want to go anywhere else. I can not speak for the latter point, but I am pretty confident on the former that the Penguins may not be in a hurry here. Not only because of Rust’s value, but also because I would guess they want to give Crosby some sort of comfort on his wing over the next two years. Especially if they still want to try and compete at some point during that stretch. They might listen, but I do not think they will seriously do so. Even if they do, I am not sure Rust agrees to go.
It would be a huge shock to me if he is not still on the Penguins on March 8 this season. This is one where a trade just does not seem likely.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/17/24367125/trade-or-keep-bryan-rust
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Pens Points: USA to the Final
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/17...nguins-sullivan-4-nations-face-off-nhl-bruins
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Has the balance of power shifted in international hockey?
Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning...
The 4 Nations Face-Off has since made worldwide sporting headlines for the wild start to the USA-Canada game on Saturday, where three fights erupted in the first nine seconds of the game. Team USA then put on a defensive clinic, beating Canada 3-1 to establish a changing of the guard in international hockey dominance. [PensBurgh]
The bench boss of Team USA is, of course, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, who hailed Team USA’s win over Canada as “an incredible hockey game.” [Penguins]
Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Cruz Lucius, a 2022 fourth-round draft pick, has rebounded from injury in his first season with Arizona State. [Trib Live]
Over the last two years, three-on-three overtime has become a glaring weakness for the Penguins. The Penguins played 13 games decided by overtime in 2023-24, winning only four. However, the team has seen notable improvement during overtime play during the 2024-25 campaign. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL...
The early-game fireworks between the U.S. and Canada helped propel the 4 Nations Face-Off clash into a massive ratings success for the NHL. The game pulled in an average of 4.4 million viewers Saturday night and peaked at 5.2 million despite going up against NBA All-Star weekend. [Front Office Sports]
Members of Boston Pride Hockey hit the ice at the Boston Bruins’ practice facility for the second installment of the NHL Pride Cup on Sunday. [NHL]
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/17...nguins-sullivan-4-nations-face-off-nhl-bruins
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Pens make roster moves ahead of practice today
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/18/24367978/pens-make-roster-moves-ahead-of-practice-today
Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
(Some) of the Penguins will be back on the ice today in practice
It feels like forever but the Penguins begin their slow lurch back into gear with a practice today at 2pm at their Cranberry facility. Obviously Mike Sullivan, David Quinn and Sidney Crosby still have their hands full in Boston for Thursday night’s final of the 4 Nations Face-off so it will be an incomplete grouping.
Ahead of today’s re-start, the Pens made a couple of roster moves to bring back Joel Blomqvist and Emil Bemstrom from the AHL and send Tristan Jarry back to the AHL. Jarry was on the NHL roster for the last week to satisfy minimum goalie requirements for the team as they looked to get Blomqvist some more work down in Wilkes.
Other teams around the league have given 4 Nations players some well-earned time off, so it would seem unlikely Erik Karlsson or Rickard Rakell will be back at work today. Rakell missed yesterday’s game due to illness so he could use the time off in the coming days.
The Pens have some interesting areas to watch, it’s been said that Evgeni Malkin might be targeting a return from his January knee injury after the break. Let’s not forget that Bryan Rust was placed on the IR and missed the last game with what was believed to be a minor injury, so his status will be worth tracking as well.
We’ll also get a first shot at seeing defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok in the black and gold, following the team’s claim of the 23-year old from the waiver wire last week from Utah.
The NHL schedule comes back with a vengeance, the Penguins play back-to-back games this weekend on Saturday and Sunday for afternoon home games against Washington and then the NY Rangers. The fun continues with a Tuesday-Thursday home-and-home against the Flyers next week that adds up for four games in six days for Pittsburgh.
Games will move fast once the break is over, and the first step to the break being over takes place today when the rest of the team reports back from their week away from the rink and gets back to work under assistant coaches Mike Velucci and Ty Hennes until Sullivan returns to the team later in the week.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/18/24367978/pens-make-roster-moves-ahead-of-practice-today
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Sidney Crosby keeps making headlines at 4 Nations tournament
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/18...eeps-making-headlines-at-4-nations-tournament
Photo by Brian Babineau/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images
Crosby had a highlight-reel empty net goal against Finland on Monday.
All Sidney Crosby does is make headlines at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament for Team Canada.
Crosby, in typical fashion and perhaps in a way that only he can do, had a highlight reel empty net goal to seal victory for Canada against Finland on Monday at the TD Garden in Boston.
Canada jumped out to a 4-0 lead over Finland and were in cruise control looking to set up a rematch against Team USA in the championship game on Thursday.
Esa Lindell got Finland on the board with 6:41 left in the game and scored two goals with an empty net to make it 4-3.
Then Sidney Crosby happened.
Crosby crushed former Penguins teammate Mikael Granlund at center ice before firing the puck into Finland’s empty net, putting the game on ice as he scored his first goal of the tournament.
Canada’s win against Finland sets up for a must-watch rematch against Team USA on Thursday night.
The Americans are looking for their first best-on-best win since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and it’s surely going to be a fierce environment on the heels of Saturday night’s intense 3-1 win for Team USA that started with 3 fights in the first 9 seconds of the contest.
Puck drop at the TD Garden in Boston is set for 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/18...eeps-making-headlines-at-4-nations-tournament
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Malkin says he is 100% in for Saturday’s game versus Washington
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/19...he-next-game-4-nations-face-off-sidney-crosby
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The Pens get some good news on the injury front
Evgeni Malkin has been out since a knee injury on January 25th, but according to the player himself he is 100% going to be back when the Penguins come out of their break on Saturday.
That’s good news for a Pittsburgh team that has missed Malkin severely. The Pens averaged just 2.14 goals/game (15 total goals, 29th in the league) in the seven games without their other star center. Sidney Crosby had seven points in that stretch, meaning that supporting players barely generated as many goals (8) as the team played games (7) while Malkin was on the shelf.
In other Penguin news, it looks like Bryan Rust is tracking back towards playing as well after being a full-go in practice over the last two games. The Pens are giving Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson a few days off after their participation with Team Sweden and neither are expected back on the ice again until Friday.
Like the rest of us, Malkin has been watching and marveling at Sidney Crosby’s performance at the 4 Nations Face-off.
While being extremely complimentary of Mike Sullivan, Malkin also predicted Crosby and Team Canada will come out with the victory of tomorrow night’s championship game.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/19...he-next-game-4-nations-face-off-sidney-crosby
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Legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange dies at age 76
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/19/24369077/pittsburgh-penguins-broadcaster-mike-lange-dies-age-76
Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images
Legendary Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange died on Wednesday. He was 76 years old.
The Athletic’s Josh Yohe shared the news on Wednesday evening, offering an equally touching tribute to the one true voice of Penguins hockey.
The Penguins also issued a brief statement on social media. It can be read below.
Lange was the voice of the Penguins for 46 years and retired before the start of the 2021-22 season, citing challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he also reached the milestone of 50 years broadcasting hockey before he stepped away.
Known for his collection of colorful catchphrases, Lange’s voice was a shining, often-defining light of Pittsburgh hockey, especially in the franchise’s early years of trials and tribulations.
For as much bad hockey as Lange watched in those early years, he also saw the Penguins draft several franchise icons in Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby, with all of these players helping the Penguins win Stanley Cups in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017.
In 2001, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame’s broadcasting wing.
There will simply never be another like Mike Lange.
“Elvis has just left the building.”
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/19/24369077/pittsburgh-penguins-broadcaster-mike-lange-dies-age-76
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Mike Lange helped make the Penguins what they are
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/20/24369228/mike-lange-helped-make-the-penguins-what-they-are
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
He is the reason I started to watch hockey.
Mike Lange was as responsible for making the Pittsburgh Penguins what they are, and how popular they have become, as any player that has ever played for the organization. Given some of the names that have played for the Penguins in their history that is a big statement. It might even seem like an overstatement. But I can assure you, it is not.
Lange did something that only a very small, very select group of announcers can do.
He became synonymous with the team.
He brought people in and hooked them.
While Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were the actors in the spotlight, Lange was the narrator that really helped make the magic happen.
Players come and go.
Coaches get hired and fired.
Some are great, some are not.
But announcers like Lange become the one constant with your team that you can always count on every season. If you get lucky enough to get a good one, they take the game to a completely different level.
Lange was one of them.
Lange died on Wednesday night at the age of 76.
I know how important Lange was to making people fall in love with the game — and the team — because I am one of the examples of it.
I knew who Mike Lange was before I knew who Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr or Paul Coffey were. I knew his goal-calls and sayings before I knew the names of the players on the team or all of the rules of the game.
My family was not a hockey family when I was growing up. Everybody watched football and baseball, with Steelers games being the big family event. Hockey just was not something that was on anybody’s radar. Because they did not watch it, seven-year-old Adam did not watch it.
It was not until I was in first grade that a classmate who sat next to me (Mike Ward) would tell me about his own hockey playing, while also trying to update me on what happened with the Penguins the night before. Being a typical kid and wanting to fit in with the kids around me, I started watching games on my own. And before I knew what was actually happening on the ice, my seven-year-old brain was absolutely captivated by this guy on the TV stringing together words in an order that did not make sense to me, but still made me laugh.
What exactly is a rusty razor?
Who is Sam, and why are you buying him a drink?
Sir, why is this cow kicking you?
A rented mule? What the hell is that?
I thought the Wreckin’ Ball was just how he described the way a certain guy was playing because he kept knocking people over, and not literally Mark Recchi (who was actually knocking people over).
I had no idea, I was seven and trying to learn a new game on the fly. I barely knew anything in life let alone the roster of a hockey team or the finer points of a new game that I had never watched.
But they all made me laugh and kept bringing me back to hear what he was going to say next, all while becoming utterly fascinated with what I was actually seeing on the TV.
When I got my first hockey stick (the plastic neon orange blade with the holes along the top) I would find myself saying those things when I would score on the invisible goalie in the driveway.
Eventually, though, I started to learn hockey. I started to learn the rules. And Lange was the soundtrack to all of it and, honestly, the best possible teacher for it.
It was a great time to start getting into hockey. It was the 1990-91 season and the Penguins were on their way to their first ever championship. Every game was a big deal. At the time, none of this was registering with me. It was just a new thing that I was into and that I enjoyed.
As I got older, as I started to gain an understanding of the hows and whys of life, I started to realize how much of a rarity Lange was. When I would watch games on national TV, whether it was a Penguins game or two random teams, the people talking didn’t bring the same energy. They didn’t talk about the game the same. It was just .... different. Worse.
But by that point, my love hockey was now firmly in place and that started to take priority over everything else. But Lange was still a huge part of it.
Eventually I became an adult and found myself in a mediocre sports writing career, with hockey being the primary focus. The kid that never knew what hockey was, was suddenly getting credentials to the Civic Arena. It started off with a random game or two each season, before finally being there enough, and proving myself enough to not be a total jackass, that the Penguins would just say, “we will just credential you for the entire season.”
After a few years of briefly passing Lange in the hallway and quietly nodding my head, I finally had an opportunity to just say hello. It was after a random regular season game (I do not remember who was playing, who won, who scored, or any of the details of the game) and I was one of the last people to leave the media level. While I was waiting for the media elevator I heard some wheels rolling down the hallway, only to see Mike Lange turn the corner pulling the wheeled suitcase he brought with him to every game.
Since I joined this industry there have been two people that I was somewhat intimidated and afraid to introduce myself (because why would these people want to talk to ME?!) only to have them turn out to be the nicest, kindest people you could ever imagine.
Mike Lange was one of them.
(Doc Emrick was the other.)
I can’t remember what exactly I said, but I think it was something about the game. And he was engaging, and then I just officially introduced myself, told him how I grew up listening to him and how much of an inspiration it was, and that I was always a huge fan. I figured he would just say, “oh thank you, that is very kind” and leave it at that.
Then he talked my ear off, asking me questions about myself (“I’ve seen you around, who do you write for?”) and telling stories the entire walk out of the building.
I never really got to know him much more than that over the years, other than a passing hello in the hallway, or a brief exchange whenever Brian Metzer or Bob Grove would invite me in to be a guest on the first intermission.
Even that brought an entirely new thrill because it was then that I got my first look at the headset. Oh my gosh, the headset. While Phil Bourque and the booth producer had new, updated technology, Lange never stopped using this old, mangled looking headset that looked like it came out of the 1960s (it probably did).
I honestly think it added to the feel of his radio broadcasts.
Which leads me to another important talking point — his career comes down to two different eras. TV Mike and radio Mike. I grew up knowing Lange as the TV voice of the Penguins, a job he held until 2006 when Fox Sports Pittsburgh did not renew his contract. It was hugely unpopular with fans, and presumably with Lange himself.
But it was also the launching point for the second phase of his career when he officially joined the Penguins as their radio voice.
As good as he was on TV, I feel like he was even better on radio. It seemed to jumpstart his career and give it a second wind, and it also gave him the opportunity to call all three Stanley Cups of the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin era. Had he remained on TV, that never happens.
We also would not have gotten Lange at, what is in my opinion, his absolute best in Games 6 and 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final against Detroit.
His call at the end of Game 6 is, for me, still one of the best Lange moments.
Absolute legend.
Every bit as legendary as any player that ever played for the team.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/20/24369228/mike-lange-helped-make-the-penguins-what-they-are
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4 Nations Face-off Gamethread: Canada/US championship
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/20/24368503/4-nations-face-off-gamethread-canada-us-championship
Photo by Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images
The US and Canada meet again
Talk about the final game of the 4 Nations Face-off here!
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/20/24368503/4-nations-face-off-gamethread-canada-us-championship
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Stay or go: Predictions for Penguins at 2025 NHL deadline
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/21...predictions-for-penguins-at-2025-nhl-deadline
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
What will happen for the Pens at the deadline?
The focus of the hockey world has been on the NHL’s smash hit of the 4 Nations Faceoff but with that event now over the next major action item is happening two weeks from the day. The trade deadline is Friday March 7th. We’ve sought input for what the fanbase might hope should happen, but here are some educated guesses on what will happen before the upcoming deadline
Bryan Rust - Staying. This shouldn’t be a shock, per The Athletic the Penguins have not approached Rust about his willingness to waive his full no movement clause and apparently the team has no plans to do so. That pretty much ends all questions about Rust’s availability at this time. Rust is a heart and soul player; he’s a Mike Sullivan guy, he’s a Sidney Crosby guy. Gotta have some NHL caliber players and Rust figures to be a key member of the Pens for a while longer.
Erik Karlsson - Staying. Dealing a soon-to-be 35-year old defensemen with a $10 million cap hit that has two more full seasons and a full no movement clause is going to be a tricky proposition. It might happen this summer, but dealing Karlsson is not an in-season type of transaction to attempt to pull off with so many moving parts and different considerations in play.
Alex Nedeljkovic - Staying. Don’t see why any other team would want Nedeljkovic and his $2.5 million cap hit for next season, overall he’s been among the bottom-end of NHL goalies. There’s also the matter that the Pens like to lean on him and seem fine with him starting a lot of games. Six or 12 months from now it might be a different story, but he stays put for now in part due to lack of outside interest and in part due to how important he is for the Penguins themselves.
Rickard Rakell - Staying...maybe. I think this is the one most up for grabs and perhaps even be a 50/50 shot out of all the names on the list. Rakell is having a great season, his $5.0 million cap hit has become a lot more palatable to contenders with the explosive growth of the salary cap in upcoming years. If a good offer comes in and someone really wants him, then Pittsburgh has to consider it. If a good enough offer comes in to make it impossible to say no, then the Pens can’t say no. Predicting whether or not that happens where another team steps up with that big offer is anyone’s guess. Since the Pens have not been in a hurry to trade away players with term left we’ll lean to think that Rakell is staying in Pittsburgh to finish out the season, but admittedly that could completely go the other direction in just one phone call.
Matt Grzelcyk - Going. Still can’t believe there will be a market for him considering how disastrous he’s been at times this season. In fairness Grzelcyk has been mis-cast as a top-four defender and has improved as the year has gone along. If nothing else his assist total looks impressive and does speak to some nice ability to move the puck. It’ll be a mid-round pick in return and the team that picks him up probably won’t get a lot out of it, but hey, compiling depth is the name of the game this time of year, particularly on defense where it’s at a premium. Pittsburgh picking up Vladislav Kolyachonok from waivers gives them a warm body for the blueline to add in depth for the rest of the season in a move that seems like it’s pre-replacing Grzelcyk before it even happens.
Anthony Beauvillier - Going. Beauvillier got traded last season (for a fifth round pick) when he was having a worse year than currently, so I don’t see why he wouldn’t be a last resort type of add for a contender that misses out on a bigger prize or one doesn’t want to spend a lot of trade ammo to bring in a new body. Again, won’t be much of a return or too exciting but makes sense for the Pens to cash him in for something of value on the trade market and promote a younger forward from the AHL for the balance of the season.
—
In the end, if it breaks like this it’ll be a fairly quiet deadline for the Penguins to take what they can get for veterans on expiring contracts and move it along. It would be interesting and a positive development if something unexpected can happen like flipping a Noel Acciari or Cody Glass but there’s little reason to count on unexpected developments until they materialize.
It’s an anti-climatic deadline since the Pens have already traded Lars Eller, Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor well before the deadline. Those were there three best, obviously available pieces to offer. But that could also make the deadline fun, since the question isn’t now so much of a “stay or go” for existing players but might shift to if Kyle Dubas and company can use any of the draft picks in order to acquire young NHL talent at this time. They can always sit on the picks and see what happens, but if the Pens make any big movements near the deadline it might be more exciting than selling off a mid-level player on an expiring contract for a mid-level draft pick if they can do something out of left field and bring in something to the fold.
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/21...predictions-for-penguins-at-2025-nhl-deadline
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Pens Points: McDavid Gets His Moment
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/21...e-off-championship-mike-lange-nhl-new-orleans
Photo by Steve Babineau/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images
We have a 4 Nations Face-Off champion and we continue to look back at the legacy of the great Mike Lange.
Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning...
The 4 Nations Face-Off crowned its inaugural champion on Thursday. Fittingly, it took a sudden death overtime session between Canada and the United States to declare a winner. Connor McDavid scored at the 8:18 mark of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States. [AP]
For many fans, Mike Lange was the gateway into the Pittsburgh Penguins fandom. His colorful goal calls, combined with his knowledge of the game, made him an everlasting fan favorite. As Gretz eloquently puts it, Lange’s presence in the broadcasting booth is just as important as any of the on-ice accomplishments throughout franchise history. [PensBurgh]
Speaking of Lange and his long list of catchphrases, look back (and even list some of yours) at some of the best sayings and goal calls throughout his storied career. [Trib Live]
A programming note for an upcoming game: The Penguins’ home game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 27 has a new start time—7:30 p.m. It was originally scheduled to start around 7 p.m. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL...
The NHL and its owners sure love that expansion money. A new player has entered the game when it comes to expanding the NHL beyond 32 cities. Some executives have eyed New Orleans, Louisiana, as a potential home for a new NHL franchise. [Yahoo! Sports/The Hockey News]
The Calgary Flames placed defenseman Tyson Barrie on waivers Thursday, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. [TSN]
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/2/21...e-off-championship-mike-lange-nhl-new-orleans