Positional Deal
Mikkel Boedker, $2.3m (2015-16)
Dion Phaneuf, $6.2m (2015-16)
Jon Merrill, $0.2m (2015-16)
For
James Neal, $6.5m (2015-16)
Brandon Pirri, $0.2m (2015-16)
Kasperi Kapanen, N/C (0 games)
Pittsburgh needs D and gets a nice winger to boot. Phaneuf still has a career ahead of him and should be an affordable signing next year. Merrill is young and cheap. In return I get a forward, unfortunately probably have to spend the year in Red Deer. Pirri is the prize for me and I am hoping he ends up on the wing. Kapanen rounds it out.
To be honest it's hard for me to assess the relative values here. I almost pulled Boedker off the table for his value on the wing and the Pens get an extra NHL ready player while I get some more cap room. Sorry guys, essentially I am still thinking out loud on this one but in the end I like it and think it is fair.
Thanks to Mariner for bearing with me coming and going!