Malkin's not coming here, get that fantasy out of your head. He will get re-signed or dealt to a Western Conference team, like Detroit for example, if the Pens can't come up with the scratch to bring him back.
- MidnightMarauder

See Messiah's post-above. If Malkin really does want out of Pittsburgh at a UFA, do you really think New York, for a Russian player, is not a possible destination? And fine, they may deal him, but why would he just sign with whatever club Pittsburgh decides to deal him to. He may re-sign with the Penguins, but if he really does want to be the focus, he'll hit the open market next summer. And if that happens, who do you think he signs with?

As much as he would obviously be a welcomed addition, to any team, the odds are minute at best that he makes his way to NY in 2014. Only way he does is via trade and that would gut this franchise of it's immediate and future depth.

Think king's ransom when thinking about what it would take to acquire Malkin.
- MidnightMarauder

That is simply not true. He is scheduled to be a UFA next summer. He can sign with whomever he wants next summer (or the Penguins before), irrespective of whether he is traded or not.

Detroit is coming east tho
- jambodelta99

Agh, good call. Think a different high profile team out west, haha. Just don't see how the Penguins would let him go to a division rival. That would be like the Rangers dealing Hank to NJ.

Just because he would fill an obvious need here doesn't mean it will happen.

Malkin's not coming here, get that fantasy out of your head. He will get re-signed or dealt to a Western Conference team, like Detroit for example, if the Pens can't come up with the scratch to bring him back.
- MidnightMarauder

He is a player in a position to take a max contract. If he doesn't want to sign, sure he may get dealt as a rental but as a UFA, he is getting his money, you don't know that he wouldn't want to come here

He should be scratched but the only good money is that Torts will blindly put him on the point if we draw a penalty, can't believe we had 2 with that effort last night
- Philly_is_trash

Richards could not be a more obvious buy-out candidate. Being down 3-0 I would scratch him if I were the Rangers. If the guy gets hurt in the next game it could prevent a buy out which would be a disaster for the Rangers.

See Messiah's post-above. If Malkin really does want out of Pittsburgh at a UFA, do you really think New York, for a Russian player, is not a possible destination? And fine, they may deal him, but why would he just sign with whatever club Pittsburgh decides to deal him to. He may re-sign with the Penguins, but if he really does want to be the focus, he'll hit the open market next summer. And if that happens, who do you think he signs with?
- Pete V

Fair enough, but do you think Shero will let him go UFA? They dealt Jordan Staal, when it was clear to the world he wanted out of Pittsburgh, and he still got a lot for him.

Malkin will not walk away from Pittsburgh without them getting a return.

I think the only way you could pry Malkin from the Pens would be if Lundqvist went the other way.

Would you do a Lundqvist and Brassard for Malkin and Fleury deal?

See Messiah's post-above. If Malkin really does want out of Pittsburgh at a UFA, do you really think New York, for a Russian player, is not a possible destination? And fine, they may deal him, but why would he just sign with whatever club Pittsburgh decides to deal him to. He may re-sign with the Penguins, but if he really does want to be the focus, he'll hit the open market next summer. And if that happens, who do you think he signs with?
- Pete V

Its not even a question of $$$ he is getting the 7 year max and highest possible salary under the CBA....its just a matter of where he wants to go and I don't think he'd go to the Islanders simply bc Tavares is there.

I think the only way you could pry Malkin from the Pens would be if Lundqvist went the other way.

Would you do a Lundqvist and Brassard for Malkin and Fleury deal?
- maaddmike

no

I think the only way you could pry Malkin from the Pens would be if Lundqvist went the other way.

Would you do a Lundqvist and Brassard for Malkin and Fleury deal?
- maaddmike

pry??? he is a UFA in 2014

Fair enough, but do you think Shero will let him go UFA? They dealt Jordan Staal, when it was clear to the world he wanted out of Pittsburgh, and he still got a lot for him.

Malkin will not walk away from Pittsburgh without them getting a return.
- MidnightMarauder

i don't even think its up to Shero, he may want out of Crosby's shadow

That is simply not true. He is scheduled to be a UFA next summer. He can sign with whomever he wants next summer (or the Penguins before), irrespective of whether he is traded or not.
- Pete V

I am aware he is UFA next summer. Unless the Rangers buy Richards out, they will have their own renegotiations, with a certain franchise goalie, captain and top shutdown defenseman to deal with as well that very well could handcuff them from trying to sign Malkin to the lucrative deal he will command.

I think the only way you could pry Malkin from the Pens would be if Lundqvist went the other way.

Would you do a Lundqvist and Brassard for Malkin and Fleury deal?
- maaddmike

Hell no!!

Throw in letang

pry??? he is a UFA in 2014
- Blueshirts4ever

No way Pitt lets him go away as a UFA with no return. If they don't re-sign him he will be traded.

i don't even think its up to Shero, he may want out of Crosby's shadow
- Blueshirts4ever

I have no doubt that could be true but I can guarantee Shero is already prepping himself for this, as well as Letang and Fleury's impending contract renewals.

No way Pitt lets him go away as a UFA with no return. If they don't re-sign him he will be traded.
- maaddmike

OK, so what makes you think the team that trades for him will sign him. Not unlike Marian Hossa in 2008

I have no doubt that could be true but I can guarantee Shero is already prepping himself for this, as well as Letang and Fleury's impending contract renewals.
- MidnightMarauder

oh they will make every effort as they should

Boy oh boy, the kings power play is phenomenal.

I wonder the regret Philly fans feel about losing Richards and carter
- jambodelta99

For whatever reason, their time in Philly was poisoned. If they've straightened out and are concentrating on hockey now, good for them. But I don't know that if they had stayed here that they'd be playing remotely like they are this season. They didn't last season even in LA.

I am aware he is UFA next summer. Unless the Rangers buy Richards out, they will have their own renegotiations, with a certain franchise goalie, captain and top shutdown defenseman to deal with as well that very well could handcuff them from trying to sign Malkin to the lucrative deal he will command.
- MidnightMarauder

Yes, thats a big issue, hopefully the cap will go up in addition to the windfall that the Richards buyout creates

No way Pitt lets him go away as a UFA with no return. If they don't re-sign him he will be traded.
- maaddmike

Agreed, plus the Rangers are going to have to clear cap space just to bring back Hank, Callahan and Girardi in the summer of 2014 as well. Plus this upcoming summer they have a few key youngsters that are due significant raises. A Malkin trade or signing just seems so unlikely for NY.

OK, so what makes you think the team that trades for him will sign him. Not unlike Marian Hossa in 2008
- Blueshirts4ever

I don't have a crystal ball. All I am saying is there is no way Pitt loses that type of asset for zero return. If he doesn't want to re-sign with them, they will move him for a return of assets. Interested teams would likely ask for permission to speak to him about a contract before making the deal.

I don't have a crystal ball. All I am saying is there is no way Pitt loses that type of asset for zero return. If he doesn't want to re-sign with them, they will move him for a return of assets. Interested teams would likely ask for permission to speak to him about a contract before making the deal.
- maaddmike

true...but Pittsburgh can get those assets and Malkin can still end up in NY. Pittsburgh will be exploring the possibility of trading him no doubt

Agreed, plus the Rangers are going to have to clear cap space just to bring back Hank, Callahan and Girardi in the summer of 2014 as well. Plus this upcoming summer they have a few key youngsters that are due significant raises. A Malkin trade or signing just seems so unlikely for NY.
- MidnightMarauder

I agree. Wanting and able are 2 different things.

We could win without Malkin. We've tried the big splash in years past and it blows up. I know Malkin is a different player but I see no guarentee that his signing wouldn't blow up either.

Agreed, plus the Rangers are going to have to clear cap space just to bring back Hank, Callahan and Girardi in the summer of 2014 as well. Plus this upcoming summer they have a few key youngsters that are due significant raises. A Malkin trade or signing just seems so unlikely for NY.
- MidnightMarauder

The cap should increase after next year, a buyout of Richards clear's some cap space. Pyatt and Asham probably wont be resigned either.

I agree. Wanting and able are 2 different things.

We could win without Malkin. We've tried the big splash in years past and it blows up. I know Malkin is a different player but I see no guarentee that his signing wouldn't blow up either.
- jambodelta99

He has a surgically repaired knee, you know if we signed him his knee would erode on itself.