For the past day or two, THN has been reporting the Pens are one of two teams (Coyotes the other) to be kicking the tires on Dougie Hamilton. Aside a bigger body than anyone else they have on the blue line, I'm trying to figure out exactly what this kid brings to the Pens......or frankly, anyone.
I realize it's possible his fit in Calgary just might not be very good; but this is obviously his second team (out of 2) in less than 2 years trying to cut their losses on him. I don't watch the Flames much, so I really have no clue what his story is. But it's clear that Hamilton is a pretty fair distance from that star-in-waiting status of just a few years ago; meaning the Flames likely couldn't get even close to what they think they deserve in a trade.
But even if the Pens do have some rational reason to consider Hamilton, exactly what would they be willing to offer in return. I assume Derrick Pouliot would be part of any package, but he makes a mere fraction of Hamilton's salary.....which we all know is as big or bigger aspect of most any deal these days.
Which means, if there are legs behind this rumor, it's almost inevitable that Flower would be part of the equation. I know the Flames have been less than enamored thus far with Brian Elliott; though I think it's still a little early to call that deal with STL a bust.
But you make Flower and Hamilton the centerpieces of the deal from a salary standpoint.....and throw some some picks (or perhaps a Brian Rust or Conor Sheary) in the blender.....and maybe something happens. Or, maybe the Pens agree to take Elliott back in return (which could actually be a decent short-term move).
Everything I'm hearing thus far.......which is all conjecture, and based in zero fact......is that GMJR (as I theorized previously) may have trouble putting together a deal with Vegas good enough to keep them from taking MM in the reentry Draft. If so, he's simply got to do something......because there's no chance he leaves Murray unprotected.
If push comes to shove, I'm assuming the Pens will ultimately buy out Fleury (which I assume they can do) rather than be forced to live with his contract over MM.