Thats what Pittsburgh will do ,trust your core .If you look at it logically ,Pittsburgh was the top team in the east because of whom.Guys like cooke,dupries,etc ???,no your core guys like Letang ,Malkin,Crosby ,Neal are the reason.Those 4 players make you a playoff team by them selves. The others if they are good enough ,{and in Pittburgh,s case the were not} make you a champion
- top shelf 15

but the pens goal isn't being a playoff team... it's winning the cup. you said it yourself, if the others are good enough, they make you a champion. well... if the pens can;t afford good "others" then they won't win championships. Boston proved that to the pens... they had a better "team" and whooped them. and by the way... dupius is among the top goal scorers in the league in the past 2 seasons... Without him the pens certainly lose someone significant

yeah but theres your problem. you have 35 mil cap space taken up by 4 players for the next 10 years, then every single promising young player you have wants his 2nd contract and you have to get rid of him.

you can replace the vets with the pipeline now, but then the pipeline will have to be replaced with a new pipeline every 3 years for the next 10 years. great players might get drafted but just have to walk
- robz228

Roster turnover in this league happens to the cup winner every year,you plan for this .35 million looks bad at a 64 million cap but looks fine at 75 million cap .The league continues to register profits in the billions .Add to this if you find a better player than one of your core pieces ,who says you cant trade a core player to make room for him

but the pens goal isn't being a playoff team... it's winning the cup. you said it yourself, if the others are good enough, they make you a champion. well... if the pens can;t afford good "others" then they won't win championships. Boston proved that to the pens... they had a better "team" and whooped them. and by the way... dupius is among the top goal scorers in the league in the past 2 seasons... Without him the pens certainly lose someone significant
- ChrisMS

He is also on the wrong side of 30 he can and will be replaced ,keeping him is not worth losing a young norris candidate defender.As far as the goal to win the cup of course its every teams goal.Pittburgh with their core intact is still a scary good team ,better than most in the east.Add to this they will be adding faster younger hungrier players and i dont see why you dont think they cant get better than this season.Now there will be a few bumps in road, but these will be lessened by the fact that your kids will be under the guidence .Of some of the best players on the planet

I think that Sid what's-his-face gut is a little bit better. I mean, Malkin has a whopping 9 goals last year and all, but I think there may be better players.
- jmatchett383

That little blonde haired kid in Tampa might have something to say about Malkin being the best too.

Guys, I heard that Myers is going to win the Norris next year so we'll be al set.

Guys, I heard that Myers is going to win the Norris next year so we'll be al set.
- sambarugh

R u playing NHL 12 or 13?

and to think how close Malking got traded to the Blues...
This will never ever ever ever get old
- hubie

thanks for that!

Guys, I heard that Myers is going to win the Norris next year so we'll be al set.
- sambarugh

Win it or trip over it?

Win it or trip over it?
- sbroads24

Get his picture taken next to it in its case at the HHOF.

They've been going among their business with Crosby and Malkin at 8.7 caphits for years. Crosby stayed at 8.7 thanks to his mammoth bulls-hit 12 year deal and Malkin's caphit will be 9.5 come 13-14.

So in hinesight, Malkin's caphit is only 800k more than it was before. It's not that much of a difference, it's Letang's raise that will make things tight.

They've been going among their business with Crosby and Malkin at 8.7 caphits for years. Crosby stayed at 8.7 thanks to his mammoth bulls-hit 12 year deal and Malkin's caphit will be 9.5 come 13-14.

So in hinesight, Malkin's caphit is only 800k more than it was before. It's not that much of a difference, it's Letang's raise that will make things tight.
- t_leafs21

My argument is that, since you have Crosby, Malkin is more of a luxury than a need. Letang is the only true #1 defenseman on the team. I'd have proposed to sign Letang long-term and move Malkin for a king's ransom to give yourself more depth and youth.

My argument is that, since you have Crosby, Malkin is more of a luxury than a need. Letang is the only true #1 defenseman on the team. I'd have proposed to sign Letang long-term and move Malkin for a king's ransom to give yourself more depth and youth.
- jmatchett383

I wonder what they could've gotten for Malkin?

Duschesne and #1 overall?
That's a deal I'd do if I were Pittsburgh

I wonder what they could've gotten for Malkin?

Duschesne and #1 overall?
That's a deal I'd do if I were Pittsburgh
- jdfitz77

To Pittsburgh

Berglund, Boyes, Oshie, Jackman, and Johnson.

To St. Louis

Malkin.

I wonder what they could've gotten for Malkin?

Duschesne and #1 overall?
That's a deal I'd do if I were Pittsburgh
- jdfitz77

I have a proposal to Florida that's ridiculous. It's part hockey move, part business move. Please feel free to rip apart:

Florida is struggling for cash. Their season tix started at $7 (full cost $168) and included a free jersey ($60 min. value). They do not have a big-time "household" or "marquee" name. So, my idea would be (please read the entire post before ripping):

To Pitt:
Huberdeau
Markstrom
2014 1st
2015 1st
Weiss

To Fla:
Malkin

Now, as good as Malkin is, no self-respecting GM would do the deal. It's your 2 best young players plus 2 straight 1st rounders and a 2nd line center for 1 player.

However, Malkin is more than just a player. He's a name you can post on a billboard. He's a player you can promote. Basically, he's what an owner of a team like Florida wants. Think Gretzky in LA; their season tix sales skyrocketed after they land their "name" player. So this deal could be an owner-driven deal more than a GM-driven deal.

Pittsburgh gets a cheap, young, first-line winger. They get a top young goalie to supplant/backup MAF. They get a center to battle with Sutter for the 2/3C spot. And they get 2 picks. Florida gets the player who can hopefully be their first bonafide superstar and brings in tons of revenue in gate and merchandise sales.

To Pittsburgh

Berglund, Boyes, Oshie, Jackman, and Johnson.

To St. Louis

Malkin.
- dadeadhead

Did Pittsburgh turn that deal down?
Wow

StL is better off that deal didn't happen
Keeping Oshie & Berglund, and then getting Shattenkirk & Stewart for Johnson is better than Malkin... By A LOT

Malkin is the best #2 center in the league
But some of his success is due to Crosby being on that team too
I know he's done well when Crosby has been hurt, but I don't know if he'd have that same success in the playoffs when teams would really tighten up and focus on him?

As a 1-2punch though, can't get much better
The Pens will sign Letang and be fine
They can fill in w young guys, and vets that want a chance to win the cup will sign there on the cheap

I have a proposal to Florida that's ridiculous. It's part hockey move, part business move. Please feel free to rip apart:

Florida is struggling for cash. Their season tix started at $7 (full cost $168) and included a free jersey ($60 min. value). They do not have a big-time "household" or "marquee" name. So, my idea would be (please read the entire post before ripping):

To Pitt:
Huberdeau
Markstrom
2014 1st
2015 1st
Weiss

To Fla:
Malkin

Now, as good as Malkin is, no self-respecting GM would do the deal. It's your 2 best young players plus 2 straight 1st rounders and a 2nd line center for 1 player.

However, Malkin is more than just a player. He's a name you can post on a billboard. He's a player you can promote. Basically, he's what an owner of a team like Florida wants. Think Gretzky in LA; their season tix sales skyrocketed after they land their "name" player. So this deal could be an owner-driven deal more than a GM-driven deal.

Pittsburgh gets a cheap, young, first-line winger. They get a top young goalie to supplant/backup MAF. They get a center to battle with Sutter for the 2/3C spot. And they get 2 picks. Florida gets the player who can hopefully be their first bonafide superstar and brings in tons of revenue in gate and merchandise sales.
- jmatchett383

That deal sets Florida back 10 yrs.

They aren't a playoff team most likely with or without Malkin in 14 or 15. You essentially hand Pittsburgh two lottery picks, Huberdeau, Markstrom, and a bum UFA; while handing Florida Malkin and a one way ticket to relocation in Quebec.

That deal sets Florida back 10 yrs.

They aren't a playoff team most likely with or without Malkin in 14 or 15. You essentially hand Pittsburgh two lottery picks, Huberdeau, Markstrom, and a bum UFA; while handing Florida Malkin and a one way ticket to relocation in Quebec.
- dadeadhead

Like I said, it's not a hockey deal, it's a money deal. The team suffers, but the revenue would go up.

Like I said, it's not a hockey deal, it's a money deal. The team suffers, but the revenue would go up.
- jmatchett383

It's a quick one year money fix.

Once the fans realize the team still sucks, they'll stop showing up, and tickets will be 7 bucks again.

I have a proposal to Florida that's ridiculous. It's part hockey move, part business move. Please feel free to rip apart:

Florida is struggling for cash. Their season tix started at $7 (full cost $168) and included a free jersey ($60 min. value). They do not have a big-time "household" or "marquee" name. So, my idea would be (please read the entire post before ripping):

To Pitt:
Huberdeau
Markstrom
2014 1st
2015 1st
Weiss

To Fla:
Malkin

Now, as good as Malkin is, no self-respecting GM would do the deal. It's your 2 best young players plus 2 straight 1st rounders and a 2nd line center for 1 player.

However, Malkin is more than just a player. He's a name you can post on a billboard. He's a player you can promote. Basically, he's what an owner of a team like Florida wants. Think Gretzky in LA; their season tix sales skyrocketed after they land their "name" player. So this deal could be an owner-driven deal more than a GM-driven deal.

Pittsburgh gets a cheap, young, first-line winger. They get a top young goalie to supplant/backup MAF. They get a center to battle with Sutter for the 2/3C spot. And they get 2 picks. Florida gets the player who can hopefully be their first bonafide superstar and brings in tons of revenue in gate and merchandise sales.
- jmatchett383

I see what you're going for,
And in theory it kinda makes sense

It'd work better if it was Crosby though
I just don't see a fan base in a non-traditional market getting all fired up by a Russian
Ya, Bure was loved down there... But Florida was also GOOD
Not that Malkin wouldn't help,
It would just work better if the guy they traded for was N.American (like Stamkos, and Lecavalier before him, in Tampa)

EDIT;
And that's way too much to give up

The best way for Florida to be successful LONG-TERM down there is to build a consistent winner
And that is best done by hitting on their draft picks, ESP high ones like this year...
They should be praying that the Avs take Jones, bc a star forward (MacKinnon) will always have more draw than a star defenseman

Did Pittsburgh turn that deal down?
Wow

StL is better off that deal didn't happen
Keeping Oshie & Berglund, and then getting Shattenkirk & Stewart for Johnson is better than Malkin... By A LOT

Malkin is the best #2 center in the league
But some of his success is due to Crosby being on that team too
I know he's done well when Crosby has been hurt, but I don't know if he'd have that same success in the playoffs when teams would really tighten up and focus on him?

As a 1-2punch though, can't get much better
The Pens will sign Letang and be fine
They can fill in w young guys, and vets that want a chance to win the cup will sign there on the cheap
- jdfitz77

It a quick one year money fix.

Once the fans realize the team still sucks, they'll stop showing up, and tickets will be 7 bucks again.
- dadeadhead

But it extends beyond Malkin, much like the Kings. It's a culture change. The problem is that there is basically no fan base is Miami, much like there was no fan base in LA. You bring in a player who sparks interest. Even if the team stinks, it creates interest and builds a fanbase that shells out $40 to bring the kids to a game as opposed to taking them to...whatever people there do.

After that, the HOPE (which worked in LA) is that, even if the team is bad, you get people who grow to like hockey and attend games despite the team's performance because they generally like hockey once allowing themselves to be exposed to it.

But it extends beyond Malkin, much like the Kings. It's a culture change. The problem is that there is basically no fan base is Miami, much like there was no fan base in LA. You bring in a player who sparks interest. Even if the team stinks, it creates interest and builds a fanbase that shells out $40 to bring the kids to a game as opposed to taking them to...whatever people there do.

After that, the HOPE (which worked in LA) is that, even if the team is bad, you get people who grow to like hockey and attend games despite the team's performance because they generally like hockey once allowing themselves to be exposed to it.
- jmatchett383

But the Kings were good...
Gretzky took them to the cup
And they were a consistent playoff team

Tampa and Nashville have been successful bc they keep going to the playoffs (most years)

But it extends beyond Malkin, much like the Kings. It's a culture change. The problem is that there is basically no fan base is Miami, much like there was no fan base in LA. You bring in a player who sparks interest. Even if the team stinks, it creates interest and builds a fanbase that shells out $40 to bring the kids to a game as opposed to taking them to...whatever people there do.

After that, the HOPE (which worked in LA) is that, even if the team is bad, you get people who grow to like hockey and attend games despite the team's performance because they generally like hockey once allowing themselves to be exposed to it.
- jmatchett383

They won their division title in 11/12 exposing the same fans to something many hadn't witnessed in many years. Tickets were still 7 bucks and you got a free jersey the following year.

Tallon will build through the draft and the franchise will be better off for it.

But the Kings were good...
Gretzky took them to the cup
And they were a consistent playoff team

Tampa and Nashville have been successful bc they keep going to the playoffs (most years)
- jdfitz77

Gretzky was also "THE" name player. Malkin is just one of the names.

Gretzky was also "THE" name player. Malkin is just one of the names.
- dadeadhead

True. I'll give you that.
Whatever the deal, my point was that you can get a struggling financial team with no name to sell to fans to overpay for him. As good as Letang is, he's not a marquee name the same as Malkin is.

As for the team winning the SE 2 seasons ago, the lockout killed whatever momentum that built. My wife's aunt/uncle had season tix there for 3 years and had renewed for this past year. As soon as games were cancelled, they cancelled their tix and asked for their $$ back.