Monster trade aborted between Penguins and Canucks!

The Penguins failed to reach the postseason for the time first in 17 years and that has to be the deciding factor in the new general manager making huge changes in Pittsburgh. Both president of hockey operations Brian Burke and GM Ron Hextall were fired at the end of the regular calendar, and the general manager’s first command will be to save whatever’s left of the roster in order to be a contender with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang putting up great numbers.

A few weeks ago, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed how the Penguins were looking at acquiring Vancouver Canucks forward JT Miller, which would have been a monster trade this season. Miller remained in Vancouver at the trade deadline as it was reported that the Canucks wanted to secure a young centre as a replacement before considering moving him. They were also seeking two first-round picks in return for Miller -– or a first and a prospect. Miller’s 7-year, $56 million contract extension kicks in on July 1.

The Penguins did not want to part with Jason Zucker, and while the deal was too complicated and didn’t get close to materialize, some fans now wonder if the Pens’ new GM, whenever he is named, will revisit the option of a monster trade for Miller’s services.

Zucker is now set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, and, given how well he did this past season, the veteran forward is likely to fetch a new contract with a higher salary cap hit than the $5.5 million he commanded the last five seasons.

However, the Penguins’ immediate future still revolves around Crosby, Malkin and Letang, and it might mean to pull a monster trade this summer and go all in in 2023-24.

Go big or go home, Pens?

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