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Ottawa, ON • Canada • 2015 Years Old • Male
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Trade:
Pens get Bonino, a 2nd and Clendening
Canucks get Sutter and a 3rd

Wow, immediately looks like a great deal for the Pens. After checking out the salary implications here this trade makes some sense. Sutter was once a top pick (11th) whereas Bonino was a 6th rounder. Sutter just had his 2nd 20-goal season, has never even hit 20-assists or 40-points, and has more seasons with less than 20-goals than more. Bonino had his big 22-goal 27-assist season two years ago, but was then traded from the offensive juggernaut Ducks to the slowly dying Canucks, where he came close to 20 goals and had 39-points. Sutter is only 26 this season but has never been known for his offence, so the Canucks can't expect much more production from him in an increased role - maybe 50 points. Bonino could get back to his numbers as a Duck, around 50-points as well, I think he could have more offensive potential next season especially given the talented forwards the Pens have and the Canucks... have less of.

Besides the similar role these players will most likely assume, this trade makes sense because Sutter makes 3.3mil and Bonino only makes 1.9mil. So Pens also get some cap relief here.

Canucks also threw in a really good prospect, D Clendening. He was a 2nd round pick and has two really good seasons in the AHL done. He put up really good numbers in the AHL and should be able to play in the NHL right now, who knows how good he'll get. Very surprised by his inclusion, since a straight up swap Bonino for Sutter makes a lot of sense. This might be o compensate for Sutter being a previous top pick compared to Boninos lack of pedigree besides his one good season with the Ducks. As well, I'm surprised the Canucks agreed to upgrade the Pens 3rd rounder to a 2nd. Really sweet deal for the Pens, as at least from a fantasy-hockey point of view Bonino is an upgrade from Sutter.

AND on top of all that, the Pens immediately used the cap space cleared in this trade to sign Eric Fehr, who is only just turning 30, is great on the PK and face-offs, which seems to be the main component of Sutters game that Bonino probably won't replace well. The Pens just made some REALLY smart moves, definitely just improved, but to be honest I'm not overly familiar with Sutter and I'm sure fans will miss him. But look at that line up! Pittsburgh's defence corps looks a little thin, but they have some serious forward depth. Lets line up their forwards:
(not the realistic lines, just for depth purposes)
Malkin-Crosby-Kessel
Kunitz-Perron-Hornqvist
Bonino-Fehr-Bennett
Plotnikov?-Dupuis?-??

That top 9 has to be one of the leagues best... Once again the Pens make a trade/+sign and look like one of the most stacked teams in the league. This looks like it will happen once or twice a year as long as Malkin and Crosby are still in Pittsburgh. I can see a third cup run in their futures, but who knows.
Filed Under:   Pittsburgh   Penguins   Fehr   Bonino   Sutter   Crosby   Malkin  
July 29, 2015 10:27 AM ET | Delete
But who plays D???
July 31, 2015 12:14 AM ET | Delete
Letang, Maatta, Lovejoy, Scuderi...after that it is a tad unclear: Probably Pouliot and Cole
August 1, 2015 11:32 PM ET | Delete
I think Clendening will either be a 7th/8th or call-up
August 2, 2015 8:17 AM ET | Delete
Letang- maattaCole-pouliotDumoulin- lovejoyScuderi
August 2, 2015 6:00 PM ET | Delete
They definitely counting on Pouliot to come through. We saw him get in the lineup during the latter half of the season and the playoffs. He should be in the top 4.
August 20, 2015 1:25 AM ET | Delete
I watched Bonino for a whole year- he is a total marshmallow - soft , soft , soft his only asset is his wrist shot , if he has time !
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