I love this quote from TSN "Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on Wednesday that Letang preferred the Toronto Maple Leafs atop a potential list of teams to go to should he be unable to sign an extension with the Penguins."

Who gives a frank what he would prefer
- 1970vintage

It scares the sh!t out me. His leverage is that he's more likely to sign an extension with his preferred team, which raises his trade value.

I agree. Unless he turned it down simply because he wanted out of Pitt. There were rumours he was pissed at Management for slagging him in the press a little.
- djamon

Letang's been underpaid for years. This is likely his only chance to hit the jackpot. My guess is it's all about the money on this contract. There's no way he takes less than $7M. After seeing Malkin and Crosby sign such huge contracts (and Fleury) he probably just isn't interested in being the one to take the home team discount.

He might want out of Pittsburgh now, but I believe he's dead set on his annual salary starting with a 7, wherever he goes.

Just grow a pair, and trade Schneider. It's the obvious right move.

Give us Brayden Schenn, Prospect and a 1st.

Maybe if Garrison is going back the other way it makes more sense?

Something like: Garrison, Lack and a #1?.
- djamon

No way - Garrison was their best all around d-men last year. I'd much rather keep the 1st and extra cap space which they absolutely require next season. It's a cap decision really. I just don't see the extra value when the bottom 6 looks horrific and you trade away a 1 st round pick in a year they also don't have a 2nd.

Maybe if Garrison is going back the other way it makes more sense?

Something like: Garrison, Lack and a #1?.
- djamon

I'd prefer to keep Garrison then sign Letang for $7M. Absolute no go on that.

It scares the sh!t out me. His leverage is that he's more likely to sign an extension with his preferred team, which raises his trade value.
- djamon

I disagree, from TO's perspective, wait it out. If Letang would prefer Toronto, and they are willing to give him the $7.75 or whatever per year, then they can come in with a very reasonable trade offer or wait until he becomes an UFA. If Pit takes the best offer they get, TO still knows they have a shot in the off season. Unless he is THE guy that is going to put you over the top...

Just grow a pair, and trade Schneider. It's the obvious right move.

Give us Brayden Schenn, Prospect and a 1st.
- lkeh73

won't get close to that. EVen though i agreed with you (my post above to move him to philly) it doesn't help that scheider was horrendous in the playoffs. Teams know they have gillis by the nuts, and while bobby lou's value is low, schneider's isn't as high either because teams know gillis has to move one. Schneider also doesn't have a proven track record (post season; he was great for me in my fantasy pool regular season)

No way - Garrison was their best all around d-men last year. I'd much rather keep the 1st and extra cap space which they absolutely require next season. It's a cap decision really. I just don't see the extra value when the bottom 6 looks horrific and you trade away a 1 st round pick in a year they also don't have a 2nd.
- Canuckleafer

The $3M difference between Garrison's cap hit and Letang's quickly turns your $2M 3rd line center into a $5M 3rd line center.

No way - Garrison was their best all around d-men last year. I'd much rather keep the 1st and extra cap space which they absolutely require next season. It's a cap decision really. I just don't see the extra value when the bottom 6 looks horrific and you trade away a 1 st round pick in a year they also don't have a 2nd.
- Canuckleafer

But Letang immediately becomes your best all round d-man THIS year. His puck moving skills are light years ahead of Garrison's. You're moving a pretty low 1st and a backup goalie who's become redundant. Maybe the Cap hit is a tough pill to swallow, but the trade pieces are painless.

I disagree, from TO's perspective, wait it out. If Letang would prefer Toronto, and they are willing to give him the $7.75 or whatever per year, then they can come in with a very reasonable trade offer or wait until he becomes an UFA. If Pit takes the best offer they get, TO still knows they have a shot in the off season. Unless he is THE guy that is going to put you over the top...
- 1970vintage

But he will be traded if he doesn't sign now. And if he's traded somewhere else they can sign him for 8 years while Toronto could only sign him for 7. It's a risk to wait.

The $3M difference between Garrison's cap hit and Letang's quickly turns your $2M 3rd line center into a $5M 3rd line center.
- KB3Point0

That's right - and they really don't need more offensive minded d-men anyway. They need a shut down d man or two. Set the lines properly, use Garrison on the PP for a change and I'd be happy.

I disagree, from TO's perspective, wait it out. If Letang would prefer Toronto, and they are willing to give him the $7.75 or whatever per year, then they can come in with a very reasonable trade offer or wait until he becomes an UFA. If Pit takes the best offer they get, TO still knows they have a shot in the off season. Unless he is THE guy that is going to put you over the top...
- 1970vintage

I disagree. He's not what we need to move further along. We already have 2 guys are in Letang's mold in Gardiner and Reilly. We need a minute-munching shut-down guy with a little snarl.

Just grow a pair, and trade Schneider. It's the obvious right move.

Give us Brayden Schenn, Prospect and a 1st.
- lkeh73

Schenn is a top notch young player, philly's 1st rounder is very high, and another prospect? wow

won't get close to that. EVen though i agreed with you (my post above to move him to philly) it doesn't help that scheider was horrendous in the playoffs. Teams know they have gillis by the nuts, and while bobby lou's value is low, schneider's isn't as high either because teams know gillis has to move one. Schneider also doesn't have a proven track record (post season; he was great for me in my fantasy pool regular season)
- clark_griswold

That's crazy. Schenn's value is the one dropping...not Schneider's.

Imagine if Gillis could trade Ballard for a first and two prospects

won't get close to that. EVen though i agreed with you (my post above to move him to philly) it doesn't help that scheider was horrendous in the playoffs. Teams know they have gillis by the nuts, and while bobby lou's value is low, schneider's isn't as high either because teams know gillis has to move one. Schneider also doesn't have a proven track record (post season; he was great for me in my fantasy pool regular season)
- clark_griswold

Guess what, there's no way Schneider gets moved unless the deal is that great. No team has Gillis by the nuts when it comes to moving Schneider. They can easily buy out Luongo. If you want Schneider you'll have to pay for him, otherwise enjoy Mason between the pipes next year. Or maybe they'll go get Emery again. He's got a Stanley Cup afterall!

won't get close to that. EVen though i agreed with you (my post above to move him to philly) it doesn't help that scheider was horrendous in the playoffs. Teams know they have gillis by the nuts, and while bobby lou's value is low, schneider's isn't as high either because teams know gillis has to move one. Schneider also doesn't have a proven track record (post season; he was great for me in my fantasy pool regular season)
- clark_griswold

He's proven enough that he's ready to step into a starting job on almost any team, in my opinion. He was injured in the playoffs, that one is on AV.

But he will be traded if he doesn't sign now. And if he's traded somewhere else they can sign him for 8 years while Toronto could only sign him for 7. It's a risk to wait.
- KB3Point0

The only team who can sign him for 8 is Pitt. Toronto's in the same boat as all other teams...7 is the max.

But Letang immediately becomes your best all round d-man THIS year. His puck moving skills are light years ahead of Garrison's. You're moving a pretty low 1st and a backup goalie who's become redundant. Maybe the Cap hit is a tough pill to swallow, but the trade pieces are painless.
- djamon

And his defensive game is light years behind Garrison's.

But Letang immediately becomes your best all round d-man THIS year. His puck moving skills are light years ahead of Garrison's. You're moving a pretty low 1st and a backup goalie who's become redundant. Maybe the Cap hit is a tough pill to swallow, but the trade pieces are painless.
- djamon

Yeah but they need a solid 3rd line centre a lot more than a puck moving d man. They need someone who can win more than 40% of the draws. They need more balance on the 2nd and 3rd lines to take the defensive focus off the 1st line. I agree Letang's offensive upside is quite good - but the cap hit really limits MG's ability to build a more complete team - which is what they desperately need right now.

I disagree. He's not what we need to move further along. We already have 2 guys are in Letang's mold in Gardiner and Reilly. We need a minute-munching shut-down guy with a little snarl.
- djamon

that was my point, TO can afford to be coy, if that is Letang's preferred destination. Offer Phaneuf and the rights to Bozak, otherwise wait and sign him to a 7 year $56m contract next year, or don't sign him at all. Why give up quality parts for one guaranteed year.

That's right - and they really don't need more offensive minded d-men anyway. They need a shut down d man or two. Set the lines properly, use Garrison on the PP for a change and I'd be happy.
- Canuckleafer

They could use a puck moving D-man. They've lacked a proper one since Ehrhoff left. But if you want $7M you'd better be great in your own zone too.

I disagree. He's not what we need to move further along. We already have 2 guys are in Letang's mold in Gardiner and Reilly. We need a minute-munching shut-down guy with a little snarl.
- djamon

It only makes sense if the move is made to replace Dion. The Franson trade was brilliant - he was the best all around dman this year.

They could use a puck moving D-man. They've lacked a proper one since Ehrhoff left. But if you want $7M you'd better be great in your own zone too.
- KB3Point0

Absolutely, I'm not saying they couldn't use him. I'm saying there are more glaring deficiencies which need attention and cap space first. With the cap going down, things have changed dramatically since 2010.

The only team who can sign him for 8 is Pitt. Toronto's in the same boat as all other teams...7 is the max.
- djamon

If he's traded then the team that acquires him could sign him for 8.