{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/ua4UKd0R.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Much is yet to be determined about next year's Pittsburgh Penguins, but we take an early stab at trying to set our expectations for the team.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/ua4UKd0R-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ua4UKd0R.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ua4UKd0R.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ua4UKd0R-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 330736, "filesize": 6862772, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ua4UKd0R-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 445114, "filesize": 9236133, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ua4UKd0R-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1360753, "filesize": 28235637, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ua4UKd0R-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113821, "filesize": 2361787 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ua4UKd0R-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 474058, "filesize": 9836704, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ua4UKd0R-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 787026, "filesize": 16330805, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "For teams across the NHL, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, the summer of 2022 is going to bring with it a lot of tough decisions and many changes." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins, specifically, are going to have possibly the toughest offseason in franchise history." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The team is coming off of their fourth straight season with an opening playoff series loss and both Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are due for new contracts." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Beyond the two franchise greats, there are a multitude of minute questions that need to be answered." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Questions like which prospects should reach the NHL next? What can be done about the defense? Are there any potential trade targets out there?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Let’s focus on that last question; who around the league is rumored to be on the trade block?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "According to Scott Powers of the Athletic, the Chicago Blackhawks may be looking to move on from forward Alex DeBrincat." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli thinks it's a matter of \"when\" not \"if\" DeBrincat is shipped out of CHiacgo." } }, { "id": "nruzkpna-z6nu08ep", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1534927392464158720", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1534927392464158720", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Ever since entering the league in 2017, DeBrincat has been one of the most consistent producers on a declining Blackhawks franchise." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In just five NHL seasons, DeBrincat has played in 368 games scoring 307 points (160-147) and has regularly been one of the Blackhawks top scorers." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "When a player like that is being lofted by a team, it doesn’t hurt to make a call and and see the asking price." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Hawks are entering a rebuilding phase and likely willing to take a smaller return in terms of NHL ready players." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Draft picks and prospects are likely the name of the game for Chicago." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If DeBrincat is truly available, the Penguins shouldn’t be afraid to dip into their slim prospect pool." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "DeBrincat is only 24-years-old and has a long future ahead of him as one of the upper echelon players in the NHL." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Because of that, the Penguins should be willing to move on from a prospect like Sam Poulin or Filip Hallander." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sure, DeBrincat has been playing with Patrick Kane, but imagine the numbers DeBrincat would put up with a better team around him." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "A sticking point for a DeBrincat trade is that he is due for a new contract at the end of the upcoming season, and it will be large." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "You don’t give a player like that chump change, but the Penguins can find ways to afford it." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Pittsburgh already needs to dump some contracts, like Brian Dumoulin or Marcus Pettersson, and that would create space." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "But the NHL itself may help with the Penguins’ cap constraints." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a recent press conference that the league saw record revenue in 2021-22 and expects regular cap increases in about two years." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "According to agent Allan Walsh, he believes the cap will increase by about $10 million in a handful of seasons." } }, { "id": "obbwhu7e-wk0gpb5f", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/sdpnsports/status/1536396773157220353", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1536396773157220353", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "A large DeBrincat contract may choke the Penguins for a few seasons, but an extra $10 million in breathing room will be a huge help." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It’s not a perfectly clear road to bring DeBrincat to Pittsburgh, but a call can never hurt." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more!" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Three Breakout Candidates for the Penguins Next Season" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "What Prioritizing Kris Letang Means for Penguins' Defense Core" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Announce Multiple Front Office Promotions" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Drew O'Connor Primed to Stick with Penguins Next Season" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Should Take a Chance at Jesse Puljujarvi" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Who Could the Penguins Select with the 21st Pick?" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Penguins Should Target a Trade for Alex DeBrincat