I am of the mind....and I know this has been a debate before....but I see Letang as more valuable to this team than 71. Not saying he is a better player than 71, just for this team he makes things gel with his breakouts and speed and overall talent.
- ryman1566

There is literally no way to organizationally replace Malkin though. Teams don't trade away legit top 6 centers very often and the Penguins won't be in a position to draft one either.

We have potential replacements for Letang. Might not be as good but the drop off from Letang to Despres/Pouliot/Maata etc is easier to live with than the drop from Malkin to (unnamed/unknown)

There is literally no way to organizationally replace Malkin though. Teams don't trade away legit top 6 centers very often and the Penguins won't be in a position to draft one either.

We have potential replacements for Letang. Might not be as good but the drop off from Letang to Despres/Pouliot/Maata etc is easier to live with than the drop from Malkin to (unnamed/unknown)
- Gunner Staal

I hope we don't ever lose either of them for sure. And yeah I know that the drop off from Malkin to whomever is a big one. But there is just a different vibe on this team when Letang is not in their.

We are spoiled to have Sid if Malkin goes down. But right now Letang is our biggest D presence (Martin is a close 2nd, IMO, much closer this year ) I hope Despres gets close to Letang's level for sure.

I hope we don't ever lose either of them for sure. And yeah I know that the drop off from Malkin to whomever is a big one. But there is just a different vibe on this team when Letang is not in their.

We are spoiled to have Sid if Malkin goes down. But right now Letang is our biggest D presence (Martin is a close 2nd, IMO, much closer this year ) I hope Despres gets close to Letang's level for sure.
- ryman1566

Letang is great, his next paycheck is going to validate that further.

Letang is great, his next paycheck is going to validate that further.
- Gunner Staal

Bad vibes there, not worried about his $$, worried if he wants to stay here or venture out ala/Staal

Letang is great, his next paycheck is going to validate that further.
- Gunner Staal

Say it with me boys, SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!! I think Shero just goes hey here is the best we can do can you live with that (I'd imagine 6-6.5) and go from there. Shero seems to be pretty open with these guys and I don't think negotiations are very painful for anyone involved.

Bad vibes there, not worried about his $$, worried if he wants to stay here or venture out ala/Staal
- ryman1566

It's all about the money. For Staal there was a draw going somewhere else (elevated role & brother). Letang isn't going to find a bigger role anywhere else or better forwards to play with. If he leaves (or is moved), it all comes down to money and cap hit.

Bad vibes there, not worried about his $$, worried if he wants to stay here or venture out ala/Staal
- ryman1566

His situation is much different. The only reason for him to leave is money. He has no one in front of him as Staal did and he has no family that I'm aware of to lure him out of town. He is playing for a team that has a chance at a cup every year.

Letang is great, his next paycheck is going to validate that further.
- Gunner Staal

Does a Norris add another Million to his paycheck? If he comes back strong over the last 9 he may still have a shot at it.

Say it with me boys, SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!! I think Shero just goes hey here is the best we can do can you live with that (I'd imagine 6-6.5) and go from there. Shero seems to be pretty open with these guys and I don't think negotiations are very painful for anyone involved.
- dbell646

We've talked about the 8 year / $6-$6.5 mil type of deal before, but I wonder if it ends up being a shorter deal.

He'll be 27 going into his next contract, so maybe if he and his agent think that he will keep improving and will stay healthy enough to win a Norris some day, maybe he will take a 2-3 year deal at $6ish, try to keep wining, then REALLY cash in on the open market a few years from now when the cap goes up as expected. If he's 29 and has another Cup and/or a Norris trophy, he can become an $8 million guy if the cap moves up some more.

Does a Norris add another Million to his paycheck? If he comes back strong over the last 9 he may still have a shot at it.
- dbell646

The Norris gives him tangible evidence to pay him amongst the best at his position. Like you and rival said, it all comes down to how much money he wants. His role in Pittsburgh is maxed out, he can't go somewhere else and improve upon it. He already plays monster minutes, 25 minutes a game (4:30 PP/ 2:20 PK per game)

As expected, Neal is not at practice today

Shelly Anderson ‏@pgshelly
No real line rushes but top 2 lines look like Kunitz-Malkin-Iginla, Morrow-Jokinen-Dupuis. #Penguins

If Kunitz-Malkin-Iggy can't get 71 rolling, I'm not sure what will.

Here's the problem....

I read the Flyers board regularly, and there's no other fan base that enjoys injuries (especially to Pens players) like a large percentage of the posters over there. Not everyone of course, but more than enough to realize you would be better served throwing around your indignant attitude on the flyers board. Some of the stuff I read after Crosby took a puck to the face was absolutely disturbing, but strangely enough, I didn't see you or anyone else trying to set things strait. I actually read one of your mods make some pretty classless comments about Lupuls concussion.

Let me say it again, there's also no other fan base on this site that routes for injuries and delights when they happen more than Flyers fans.
- madmike71

Didn't you know that when a Penguins fan says something about how an injury is deserved it's classless and underhanded. But when a Flyers fan says the same thing it's all in good fun, and no harm was meant.

His situation is much different. The only reason for him to leave is money. He has no one in front of him as Staal did and he has no family that I'm aware of to lure him out of town. He is playing for a team that has a chance at a cup every year.
- dbell646

Maybe playing close to home in MTL a factor too?

Maybe playing close to home in MTL a factor too?
- ryman1566

That is always a factor but I honestly believe he stays.

That is always a factor but I honestly believe he stays.
- dbell646

Who knows how he thinks, but he seems like a quiet guy. Going into Montreal with a big contract will put A LOT of attention on him. That's a tough market to be the focal point in.

Who knows how he thinks, but he seems like a quiet guy. Going into Montreal with a big contract will put A LOT of attention on him. That's a tough market to be the focal point in.
- rival22

I don't think it was an accident that Subban's contract expires at the same time as Letang's.

Please don't. Problem solved/removed.
- canadianpenfan

Nice and it wasn't even me.

I don't think it was an accident that Subban's contract expires at the same time as Letang's.
- Gunner Staal

That seemed like a nice bridge contract at the time, but how Subban is playing, it might have been better for Bergevin to have him locked up for 5 years at $5 million like PK wanted.

That seemed like a nice bridge contract at the time, but how Subban is playing, it might have been better for Bergevin to have him locked up for 5 years at $5 million like PK wanted.
- rival22

I think Montreal wants Letang but if they end up keeping Subban I agree, it will end up costing them alot more.

I don't think it was an accident that Subban's contract expires at the same time as Letang's.
- Gunner Staal

Yea, this.

New Blog, and Crosby is talking to the media right now