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NHL 2018 trade deadline chat, 1 p.m.
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Sam Werner
12:56
Greetings, folks, to our NHL trade deadline chat. I'm coming to you live from the Cranberry Township Panera. Jason is filing a quick update on practice and will be joining shortly.
12:57
In case you missed it, a bit of a newsy Penguins practice today. Phil Kessel was absent with what Mike Sullivan called a maintenance day, but Kessel was obviously banged up on this previous road trip. Matt Murray also left the session early, and Sullivan said he was being evaluated.
Oh, and Derick Brassard still isn't here yet. He's in Toronto waiting for immigration papers to process, but Sullivan was optimistic that'll get resolved today or tomorrow.
Guest
12:59
Any names?
Sam Werner
1:01
The one guy I'd keep an eye on right now is Kevin Connauton from Arizona. Cheap cap hit ($1 mil) on a bad team, and a solid (though not spectacular) NHL defenseman. A gettable guy who could replace Hunwick on the third D pair if need be.
Guest
1:01
Not trade deadline related... but, do you ever fly with the team on the charter? If so, how are you treated? Do you board the flight at the same time as the team? Do you get food and drink at the same time? Or is everything team first, media second?
Sam Werner
1:01
We do not. We book all our travel separate. So I get my drink and peanuts when the Southwest flight attendant gets to me.
HB
1:02
A moment of silence for our fallen brother Ian Cole.
Sean Gentille
1:02
Sam is actually an instrument-rated pilot. He flies the planes himself. A truly talented young man!
Sam Werner
1:02
Hi Sean! Sean's here, folks.
1:03
And re: Cole, believe me, no one is sadder to see him go than the Pittsburgh media contingent. Best quote on the team by a country mile.
Sean Gentille
1:04
The over/under on "Notre Dame guy playing hockey down the street from Ohio State" stories we see out of Columbus in the next week is 1.5.
Dan
1:06
Think pens look for a cheap goalie option now?
Sean Gentille
1:07
Feels like they have enough of those. If you google "cheap goalie option," Michael Leighton's picture pops up.
Sam Werner
1:08
Yeah, agree with Sean. Maybe, but you have to ask yourself, if Murray gets hurt in the playoffs, who do you feel better with, Tristan Jarry or Cheap Goalie Option X? The answer is probably Jarry, even despite his recent play.
HB
1:09
In comparison to matt hunwick contract how much more money do you think Ian Cole will make this offseason.
Sam Werner
1:09
I wouldn't be surprised to see Cole get somewhere in the $3.5-4 million range. So quite a bit more than Hunwick's $2.25 mil.
Bill M
1:10
Hi Jason, Love your 24/7 coverage of the Pens - you've got to be the hardest working guy on the beat and it shows.  Here's my Q:  From all indications and media reports (including yours), a primary motivation for Sullivan and Cole not having had a great relationship was Cole's tendency to "over-share" with those who cover the team.  As a Penguins news-maniac, I've definitely seen a lot of Ian Cole quotes over the years but none that even slightly approached "controversial."  He's certainly not as bland as say, Crosby, in his answers, but I never heard him be critical of the coach, his teammates, management, etc.  What am I missing?  Thanks!!
Sean Gentille
1:10
I'd bet quite a bit on Cole getting more than $3 million in UFA, for sure. He's got a lot of qualities that GMs like to spend money on.
Sam Werner
1:10
Beard quality, for one.
Sean Gentille
1:11
I'd definitely overpay guys by a million dollars a year based on beards and past performance, for sure.
Jason Mackey
1:11
Thanks, Bill. Hope you're enjoying a day off. Clearly you've been to the bar. ... As I understand it regarding Cole, it wasn't so much what he said as how frequently he said it. I think Sullivan read Cole being friendly to us and viewing himself as a spokesman for the team. That's not the case. I think Ian just genuinely enjoyed the banter. Sullivan is very tight-lipped with everything. Very nice man, but he isn't the most revealing when it comes to dealing with media.
HB
1:12
I know you said brassard didn’t play any pk in Ottawa did he play any in NY
Jason Mackey
1:13
He did not. His career-high for SH/TOI over a single season is :14, with the Rangers in 2014-15. I would not expect Brassard to handle those duties.
HB
1:13
Assuming sprong isn’t traded do you think we see him again this year?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I think so, yeah. I just think he's too good of an offensive player to not get another look. After how this year went down, I think it would benefit him, too.
Acie
1:14
Any updates
Jason Mackey
1:15
I just ordered a You Pick Two from Panera Bread. French onion soup. Bacon turkey bravo. Water. With an oatmeal raisin cookie for dessert. So far, so good.
Eddie
1:15
Would Oduya be reasonable in Pittsburgh?  Cup experience,  leadership,  of course were have enough of both!
Sam Werner
1:15
On Sprong, I think it's a safe bet we see him in the NHL again this year, but much less of a sure thing that he'll be part of the playoff lineup.
Sean Gentille
1:15
The Flyers claimed Oduya earlier today. He's also not very good anymore.
Sam Werner
1:16
Sean it's the trade deadline, "being good" is of secondary importance when it comes to defensemen.
Jeff
1:16
There's a couple players I think a Sheary trade makes sense, what say you?
Jason Mackey
1:17
Absolutely. If they can get, say, Connor McDavid for Sheary, I'd do it in a heartbeat. No, seriously, Jeff. I could be convinced on a Sheary trade. Maybe it's for a defenseman. Maybe it's for a forward. If there's a suitor, I would definitely explore it.
Gorge McPhee
1:17
Hi Jason, are you hearing of any other marquee players being considered by Western Conference Teams.  I have lots of cap space and certainly don't mind helping the Penguins.
Jason Mackey
1:17
I am not, George, sorry. Didn't know you paid attention to this chat, but I'm honored.
Jeff
1:17
There's a couple players I think a Sheary trade makes sense, what say you?   1. Ben Hutton (similiar age, cap hit, one year less term)  2. Niklas Hjalmarsson (Coyotes dont really need a veteran like this, Sheary makes sense as cost controlled winger, Tocchet connection)  3. Connor Murphy (Blackhawks clearing cap and just traded Ryan Hartman, Murphy has a long contract)
Sam Werner
1:17
I think the issue with a Sheary trade is just as much finding a team willing to take on his contract. He hasn't shown much playing away from Crosby which (spoiler alert) he won't get to do anywhere else.
Jason Mackey
1:19
Oh, there's a second part to this. Sorry. ... I'm not sure if I see any clear improvements, honestly, not among those three. The one thing I'll say about Sheary is he may produce with Crosby. I know, I know. Many would. But they've been legitimately good together for stretches. Based on that, I'm lukewarm on some of what you presented.
Luke
1:20
Paul Martin was recently on waivers.  Would he be of interest at this stage of his career (at 50% salary retention)?
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