I like the trade for J. Staal. Having graduated from PSU in May, I have many friends who are Pens fans, all loved Jordan Staal. For what it's worth, I predicted that this exact trade would occur when I spoke to many of them yesterday afternoon. I felt it is a fair deal that helps both teams in the immediate future. I believe this will be the biggest acquisition the Canes will make this offseason.

However, I do not think this will be the last move of significance this off-season. I am hoping that JR will acquire a proven veteran, character type player who can play the wing in the top-6 and knows how to win. My ideas for players that could fill this role include bringing back Ray Whitney or signing the likes of Ryan Smyth, Jagr, Ales Kotalik or a Brian Rolston. These players would provide leadership to a room full of youngsters.

I have a hunch that JR will not go after a defenseman, unless he trades a current d-man. I believe management is high on Murphy and our D going into the year will be some combination of: Gleason-Faulk, Pitkanen-McBain, and Harrison-Murphy; with Joslin is the 7th man.

As for the third line, I know that management is high on Welsh. I missed the game he played last season so I am not sure what to think of him. However, I did see Riley Nash play in person and came away impressed. I would like to see what he could do given an opportunity to center the third line.

This is my $0.02, what does everybody else think?