Which Stanley Cup Finalist Could Best Help the Penguins?
Which players from the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights would fir the best on the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The Stanley Cup Final begins on Saturday, and both teams boast impressive depth and tremendous superstar talent. With the Pittsburgh Penguins five years removed from their last postseason series victory, it may be wise for them to note who will be on the ice this weekend.
While the Penguins would love to acquire Jack Eichel or Matthew Tkachuk, let's keep this exercise to everyone except the top stars on the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights rosters.
Vegas Golden Knights - Ivan Barbashev
Barbashev is a player who appeared on multiple teams' wish lists around the trade deadline this season. His position versatility and ability to play anywhere in the forward lineup makes him a valuable asset to any NHL team. It would come in handy for a currently retooling Penguins bottom six especially.
Barbashev has flourished in Vegas since arriving at the deadline. He finished the regular season scoring 16 points in 23 games and has followed that up with 15 points in 17 games this postseason.
The 27-year-old Russian forward will be n unrestricted free agent this summer and could be on the Penguins' radar. However, one has to imagine any deal with Barbashev would now include a heavy Stanley Cup tax.
Florida Panthers - Carter Verhaeghe
When most people think of the Florida Panthers, they think of Matthew Tkachuk or Aleksander Barkov, but Carter Verhaeghe led the team in goals this season with 42. Verhaeghe has quietly been one of the most potent goal scorers in the NHL over the past two seasons.
His knack for scoring big-time goals remains under the radar due in part to Tkachuk scoring so many throughout this postseason. However, Verhaeghe scored the overtime winner to put away the Presidents' Trophy Boston Bruins in the first round.
Verhaeghe has the experience playing with a star center and would bring much-needed finishing ability to the Penguins lineup. Unfortunately, Verhaeghe has two years remaining on his contract, and most teams are unwilling to part with 40-goal scorers.
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