Daniel Winnik pursues a puck in a game against the Coyotes last month. — GETTY
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
WASHINGTON — The Penguins have acquired versatile forward Daniel Winnik from the Maple Leafs for left winger Zach Sill, a fourth-round draft pick in 2015 and a second-rounder in 2016, and Toronto agrees to assume half of his prorated $1.3 million salary the rest of the season.
Views: Nothing not to like here, especially in light of other potential offers that were being made for Winnik, according to the Toronto media.
Winnik, who turns 30 in a week, is a player I’d reported two weeks ago in the Friday Insider the Penguins were targeting, largely because he’s exactly in the mold Jim Rutherford had been coveting. He’s 6-2, 207, built on grit, and dependable enough that he’s been steadily employed in the NHL since 2007 despite averaging about seven goals a season. This season, he had seven goals and 18 assists in 58 games and, perhaps most impressive given his miserable team, a plus-15 rating.
The salary and Sill undoubtedly were included solely for cap considerations, which has been Rutherford’s primary concern all through this process. It’s similar to when he tossed in Rob Klinkhammer in the deal with the Oilers for David Perron. The Maple Leafs are collecting draft picks, finally poised after four decades of abject failure to build a foundation of younger players. Taking on the additional money is worth it to them in that context.
We’ll know much more about the Penguins’ specific plans for Winnik here tonight, but it’s obvious he’ll fit perfectly with the fourth line, adding size, grit and skill. Maxim Lapierre and Steve Downie are most likely to play alongside him, but that’s only if one assumes management has finally seen enough of Craig Adams. That will have to be seen to be believed.
What’s certain is that Winnik will kill penalties, and he’s a welcome addition on that front alone. He led all NHL forwards in short-handed ice time at 200 minutes, 19 seconds.
In all, another solid move for Rutherford, but alas, one that also demonstrates painfully how little flexibility he has in terms of payroll. Another won’t be easy.
UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Rutherford is being made available to media here at the Verizon Center at 6:15 p.m. I’ll put up the full video of that exchange in this space as quickly as possible.
6:28 p.m.: Here are three questions I had for Rutherford on the trade …
Among his other remarks, Rutherford said of the NHL trading deadline Monday, “There’s a good chance that we’re done. I feel our team has as good a chance as any in the league.”
He also said this deal wasn’t affected by any of the others today — notably Winnipeg getting Jiri Tlusty from Carolina — and that Winnik has been a focus of talks with Toronto for more than a month.
He did give up a 2nd and a 4th it's not like he fleeced them
Robert
2-25-2015, 4:21 pm
Solid does not equal "fleeced"
Robert
2-25-2015, 4:14 pm
Pretty much cuts Adams out, I would think. Winnik, Sutter, Bennett on 3rd. Lapierre, Downie, Spaling on 4th. Or some similar combo of wingers. I could see Downie & Spaling on 3rd with Sutter-Bennett, too.
The back end protection Winnik brings is awesome and something the lineup needed. +15 on a garbage team he instantly just made the 4th and maybe even 3rd line that much more dangerous. Rutherford needs to be commended. Winnik, Perron, the Neal trade before the season and all with zero cap room.
So what were the other potential offers according to the Toronto media? I looked at the Sun's page and they don't even have the trade posted. TSN has the story up, but I didn't see any "expert" opinion.
Were the reported offers on social media? Those are seas I don't sail, and if so, would someone be so kind as to link them. Thanks in advance.
Craig Custance of ESPN rated the Penguins a "C" because they gave up a player & a 2nd + a 4th rounder for Winnick, who isn't signed beyond this season.
Rico
2-25-2015, 7:27 pm
"For what it's worth"
Not much, but thanks for posting! :) But seriously, getting rid of Sill is truly addition by subtraction, and giving up future picks for a proven player who fits their immediate needs like a glove--and who's to say they won't re-sign him?--makes it a B+ trade in my book.
fried003
2-26-2015, 9:02 am
Not my opinion, but the poster above was interested in an "expert" opinion & that was the only one I happened upon at the time.
Much will depend on whether Bennett is stuck in the doghouse and/or dealt. If he plays, he must be a top-6 with Grno and Comeau. Drop Lunitz to the 3rd line with Sutter and Winnik. Spalling-Lapierre-Downie/Adams make up the 4th.
The thing everyone has to remember, this isn't a trade made in a vacuum. Maybe another team had a player plus a 2nd on the table. And Nonis went back to the GMs who made offers and said "Top it or I'm taking it."
It all comes down to how desperate Rutherford was to add to the bottom 6. All I can say is I'm glad the 2nd isn't in this years draft. Other than that, I'm ok with the deal. Winnik was a sought after player. Have to give to get.
I'll be happier with the trade if they can sign Winnik for a couple more years.
Exactly. Prices are always higher at the Trade Deadline and from what I hear, a lot of teams were interested in Winnik . The question really is, "how bad does one want to win now?"
Plus, he may want to stay after this season, you never know.
AC
2-25-2015, 4:58 pm
I wish we could have traded Adams instead though. Even though we hope it's a scratch for him it just never seems to happen!!
Who will you sit Downie or Spaling instead of Adams? I sure hope not!!!
Yes but now the point I'm making is do we sit Adams finally?
PlazMan
2-25-2015, 5:29 pm
Nobody wants Adams, NOBODY! Especially Toronto. They are looking to rebuild, why in God's name would they take a broken down, soon to be 38 year old (April 26th) winger?
Zico
2-25-2015, 5:02 pm
Bennett for Jagr on the horizon? As the old commercial went, doobie-doobie-dooooo.
February 25, 2015
Penguins acquire Winnik from Leafs
by Dejan Kovacevic • News/views • Penguins
Daniel Winnik pursues a puck in a game against the Coyotes last month. — GETTY
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
WASHINGTON — The Penguins have acquired versatile forward Daniel Winnik from the Maple Leafs for left winger Zach Sill, a fourth-round draft pick in 2015 and a second-rounder in 2016, and Toronto agrees to assume half of his prorated $1.3 million salary the rest of the season.
Views: Nothing not to like here, especially in light of other potential offers that were being made for Winnik, according to the Toronto media.
Winnik, who turns 30 in a week, is a player I’d reported two weeks ago in the Friday Insider the Penguins were targeting, largely because he’s exactly in the mold Jim Rutherford had been coveting. He’s 6-2, 207, built on grit, and dependable enough that he’s been steadily employed in the NHL since 2007 despite averaging about seven goals a season. This season, he had seven goals and 18 assists in 58 games and, perhaps most impressive given his miserable team, a plus-15 rating.
The salary and Sill undoubtedly were included solely for cap considerations, which has been Rutherford’s primary concern all through this process. It’s similar to when he tossed in Rob Klinkhammer in the deal with the Oilers for David Perron. The Maple Leafs are collecting draft picks, finally poised after four decades of abject failure to build a foundation of younger players. Taking on the additional money is worth it to them in that context.
We’ll know much more about the Penguins’ specific plans for Winnik here tonight, but it’s obvious he’ll fit perfectly with the fourth line, adding size, grit and skill. Maxim Lapierre and Steve Downie are most likely to play alongside him, but that’s only if one assumes management has finally seen enough of Craig Adams. That will have to be seen to be believed.
What’s certain is that Winnik will kill penalties, and he’s a welcome addition on that front alone. He led all NHL forwards in short-handed ice time at 200 minutes, 19 seconds.
In all, another solid move for Rutherford, but alas, one that also demonstrates painfully how little flexibility he has in terms of payroll. Another won’t be easy.
UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Rutherford is being made available to media here at the Verizon Center at 6:15 p.m. I’ll put up the full video of that exchange in this space as quickly as possible.
6:28 p.m.: Here are three questions I had for Rutherford on the trade …
Among his other remarks, Rutherford said of the NHL trading deadline Monday, “There’s a good chance that we’re done. I feel our team has as good a chance as any in the league.”
He also said this deal wasn’t affected by any of the others today — notably Winnipeg getting Jiri Tlusty from Carolina — and that Winnik has been a focus of talks with Toronto for more than a month.