I honestly think Malkin bolts for the money and chance to be the #1. He's a much different and more dominant player when he's the guy.

It's tough because there's nothing of higher value than defensemen and a big skilled center. I believe Malkin comes in at a cap hit of 9 or higher. And I think he'll take more money from a solid team with the chance to lead them on the ice.

I believe Pitt stands a better chance at keeping Letang and he's become an incredibly underrated defenseman. I think they can get him at 6-6.5 versus him on the open market probably getting 7 or more in terms of a cap hit.

Either way they can get a decent haul for either. In that case I'd move Malkin for a good young winger, a top offensive prospect (Pitt is terrible at drafting these lately unless it's a shoe-in like Malkin or Crosby) and some picks.

For all the defensive prospects they have anyways, not all are guaranteed to wind up being that good, or let alone good in the NHL. Could probably move one of them for some forward depth.


Either way, if they trade one (and likely will) they'll receive way more if the other team has a contract in place with who they are acquiring (so it's assured it's not a rental).

Its crazy we go from having not enough D to way too many quality D. Flyers would love to have Nisky, Eaton, or Despres. O i just loved the Despres for Talbot talk on EK's thread. The only time Shero would do something that awful is if it was right before he laughed and jumped off the steel building.
- nbartley9

He was fantastic yesterday.
- canadianpenfan

Over 30 minutes.

That is my only concern. The Blackhawks weren't over extending their players' time on ice minutes. It seems at times Bylsma asks a lot out of his defensemen regarding ice time.

Letang and Martin are 11th and 12th overall in TOI/G. Duncan Keith who has led the NHL two of the past 3 years is sitting at 30th overall. Seems like Quenneville is managing his star players minutes more.

Over 30 minutes.

That is my only concern. The Blackhawks weren't over extending their players' time on ice minutes. It seems at times Bylsma asks a lot out of his defensemen regarding ice time.

Letang and Martin are 11th and 12th overall in TOI/G. Duncan Keith who has led the NHL two of the past 3 years is sitting at 30th overall. Seems like Quenneville is managing his star players minutes more.
- Gunner Staal

That's why I worry that Despres and Bortuzzo don't get into the lineup enough. Eaton, Orpik and Engelland could probably use rest sometimes. Letang and Martin have played pretty crazy minutes too.

I honestly think Malkin bolts for the money and chance to be the #1. He's a much different and more dominant player when he's the guy.



(Pitt is terrible at drafting these lately unless it's a shoe-in like Malkin or Crosby) and some picks.


.
- suppaman

False, False

http://hockeyhurts.com/co...vgeni-malkin-in-2012-2013

Over 30 minutes.

That is my only concern. The Blackhawks weren't over extending their players' time on ice minutes. It seems at times Bylsma asks a lot out of his defensemen regarding ice time.

Letang and Martin are 11th and 12th overall in TOI/G. Duncan Keith who has led the NHL two of the past 3 years is sitting at 30th overall. Seems like Quenneville is managing his star players minutes more.
- Gunner Staal

Can't argue with that. Martin wouldn't have been that high if Letang wasn't injured though. And I think Letang can handle those types of minutes, I would hope to see Martin's scaled back a little as the playoffs approach. Regardless of his minutes, I can't say enough about the 180 Martin has done this year.

Can't argue with that. Martin wouldn't have been that high if Letang wasn't injured though. And I think Letang can handle those types of minutes, I would hope to see Martin's scaled back a little as the playoffs approach. Regardless of his minutes, I can't say enough about the 180 Martin has done this year.
- canadianpenfan

Agreed. Not just better defensively, but a HUGE part of the PP now. Gonch 2.0


That's why the Stewart stuff doesn't make as much sense anymore when it involves him. Both are experiencing highs. Can't honestly see it.

False, False

http://hockeyhurts.com/co...vgeni-malkin-in-2012-2013
- Gunner Staal

Really?

I had no idea you were Evgeni Malkin, would you mind sending me an autographed jersey?


Also, would you like to show me where the Penguins have drafted an impact forward outside of Malkin/Crosby in the past 5-7 years? Staal? Great he was a top five pick who actually wound up playing better than I thought, he still actually wasn't the best pick they could have made given their position in the draft.

This board is on fire now! Great to see a few cats are back. For the Geno will bolt for money comment:

This board is on fire now! Great to see a few cats are back. For the Geno will bolt for money comment:
- Orpik44

Really?

I had no idea you were Evgeni Malkin, would you mind sending me an autographed jersey?

Also, would you like to show me where the Penguins have drafted an impact forward outside of Malkin/Crosby in the past 5-7 years? Staal? Great he was a top five pick who actually wound up playing better than I thought, he still actually wasn't the best pick they could have made given their position in the draft.
- suppaman

You must not be his agent then afterall.


Spare us the Malkin going for all the kings gold argument. No one truly knows---including you.

I know its for a great reason and everything, and Orpik would have without question had a pretty bad eye injury during the Rags game.Brooks being one of my alltime favorite players im glad he wears it, but does anyone else hate the visor? I cant even explain why, but I do.

Malkin for Backes and Pietrangelo

Really?

I had no idea you were Evgeni Malkin, would you mind sending me an autographed jersey?


Also, would you like to show me where the Penguins have drafted an impact forward outside of Malkin/Crosby in the past 5-7 years? Staal? Great he was a top five pick who actually wound up playing better than I thought, he still actually wasn't the best pick they could have made given their position in the draft.
- suppaman

I'll admit to the part about drafting forwards as I did not see you specified the position but your whole Malkin better without Crosby theory is blown out of the water considering the hardware Malkin has won with Crosby in the lineup.

Really?

I had no idea you were Evgeni Malkin, would you mind sending me an autographed jersey?


Also, would you like to show me where the Penguins have drafted an impact forward outside of Malkin/Crosby in the past 5-7 years? Staal? Great he was a top five pick who actually wound up playing better than I thought, he still actually wasn't the best pick they could have made given their position in the draft.
- suppaman

Beau Bennett? Who coincidentally is the only forward they drafted in the top 2 rounds in the last 5 years. They have a boatload of defensive prospects who are all at various levels of development while still being highly thought of.

The thought of going to arbitration scares Shero. Then you're looking at a high price for one year for an UFA the next year. I think there's just a short window between now and the end of the year where a contract would need to be worked out.
- Deadstar

You gotta wonder what Stewart's motivation would be too. If he's moved at the deadline, besides last season, he's bounced and played for at least two teams every year because of a trade or back and forth in the minors. You'd think that the though to settling down here and having a future playing with Crosby or Malkin would keep him from being too hard to sign. Him and his agent would have to realize that Kunitz and Dupuis won't be here forever, and he'd have a great shot for many good years.

One thing I haven't seen anywhere yet, is that Stewart played for Granato in Colorado. So, the Pens have an inside look at what type of person he is.

I know its for a great reason and everything, and Orpik would have without question had a pretty bad eye injury during the Rags game.Brooks being one of my alltime favorite players im glad he wears it, but does anyone else hate the visor? I cant even explain why, but I do.
- nbartley9

No, I have one. I understand both sides of the argument. But I defer to what is better for my protection. I'm for the league grandfathering them in.

how is this poll even close?

it's simple........

letang is replaceable (pens have 2 or 3 guys in their prospect pool who could potentially be as good).....malkin IS NOT

You gotta wonder what Stewart's motivation would be too. If he's moved at the deadline, besides last season, he's bounced and played for at least two teams every year because of a trade or back and forth in the minors. You'd think that the though to settling down here and having a future playing with Crosby or Malkin would keep him from being too hard to sign. Him and his agent would have to realize that Kunitz and Dupuis won't be here forever, and he'd have a great shot for many good years.

One thing I haven't seen anywhere yet, is that Stewart played for Granato in Colorado. So, the Pens have an inside look at what type of person he is.
- rival22

Thats what scares me. He's inconsistent. Neal was a burgeoning star of sorts. Stewart is kind of up and down.

Malkin for Backes and Pietrangelo
- drummer829

Ummm no thanks

Malkin for Backes and Pietrangelo
- drummer829

No thanks.

Not sure why Penguins fans they are going to get some kings ransom for Malkin if they trade him next year... Gretzky was a rental. If he didn't anything insane, Malkin won't either.

Ummm no thanks
- SayWhat...NoWay

seriously??? pietrangelo is probably one of the top 3 d-men in the entire league, and backes is one of the best power forwards in the entire leauge.

obviously neither is better than malkin, but considering the pens would NEVER get fair value for him in a deal......that package is as good as you could ever expect to get.

how is this poll even close?

it's simple........

letang is replaceable (pens have 2 or 3 guys in their prospect pool who could potentially be as good).....malkin IS NOT
- sensarmy_11

I think most logical Pens fans see this. However, its funny that an Ottawa fan can see this, but some Pens fans simply can't.

Ummm no thanks
- SayWhat...NoWay

Pietrangelo is IMO the best defenseman in the league, while Backes is one of the best leaders in the league. How the pens have been playing without Malkin, i wouldn't mind it, especially to my 2nd favorite team

Malkin for Backes and Pietrangelo
- drummer829

No way in hell.

Backes/Oshie/Pietrangelo I might think.