Dallas / Pittsburgh

[PittsburghGM]

(for real Pittsburgh )

to Pittsburgh
R/L Brandon Saad (64)
D Gustav Forsling (66)
LA 1st 2019 - #27 overall
R/C Mark McNeill (86)

to Dallas
C/L Evgeni Malkin (80)

Been having talks regarding Malkin for a while; Krejci was acquired with this type of move in mind. We needed some physicality on this team, especially among the younger pieces acquired, and Saad and Forsling look to be good players capable of providing that. Continuing with the rebuild, Saad injects some physicality into the top 6. Forsling has yet to prove he can play in a larger role but has an interesting skillset that looks like he can do it, and we get the third first rounder in this year's draft that we wanted, albeit not quite in the top-20. McNeill is a throw-in, but might be better than the fourth liners currently sitting around here, we'll see how it goes with him.

[Dallas Stars GM]

Saad has been a wonderful player since he came to Dallas and played a big part in Stars' success. But to go deeper in the play-offs, you need a two, three or more superstars. Although, Saad always has been and always will be a Star in the eyes of the organization and the fans.
And he's on an extremely affordable contract.
Forsling is an interesting young two-way defenseman that everybody likes.
But Saad + Forsling + 1st and McNeill (depth) is the price to pay for Malkin who really is a star, although age may be a concern - but this will push the organization to reach the ultimate goal in this time window of 3-5 years.