Well, first of all, the Penguins are in a "win now" mode, so it has to be for players who could step in right away and help. Backes and Shattenkirk fills a need for both teams and is a pretty fair swap cap-wise, but honestly, with the system the Blues play, it's not a good trade for them. It's a fair swap on paper, but not when it's implemented.

So, what is a trade where the Penguins can "win?" I'd suggest their best bet is for him to be a marketable name to a team that needs to grow a fanbase. This leaves us with Phoenix, Tampa Bay (sadly), Florida, Dallas, and maybe NYI.

Okay, so any team getting him is going to need him to be their #1C. So, right away, we can eliminate TB and NYI. Might as well take Dallas off as well, since Seguin seems to be growing into that role. That leaves us with Phoenix and Florida. So, what deals help the Penguins now, help them "win" the trade, and comply with the cap? Let's see:

Phoenix - I'm eliminating Doan, since he'd be the centerpiece, and he won't be around long enough to be an adequate return. So, I'd go with either:

To Pitt: K. Yandle, M. Boedker, M. Domi, 2014 1st
To Phx: E. Malkin, 2014 4th

To Pitt: O. Ekman-Larsson, M. Hanzal, 2014 2nd, 2014 3rd
To Phx: E. Malkin

Florida - not a lot to choose from. You could go for Luongo if you wanted (50/50) and deal MAF with Malkin, but the pickings for "now" are slim. Huberdeau went downhill, Bergenheim had a dud year, Kopecky missed half of the year. The strength of that team is in guys like Trocheck, Barkov, and Shore/Grimaldi. So I'd have to go with either:

To Pitt: R. Luongo, A. Barkov, Kulikov (RFA rights), 2014 1st, 2014 2nd, 2015 1st
To Fla: E. Malkin, MAF

To Pitt: A. Barkov, V. Trocheck, B. Campbell (40% salary retained), 2014 1st
To Fla: E. Malkin, 2014 3rd

That's the best I can come up with.
- jmatchett383

I don't like any of the deals from Florida. If we are in a "win now" mode, we are essentially taking a horrid contract back (Luongo) and picks and prospects. Why would Pittsburgh want to deal a forward of Malkin's ability and talent, knowing out depth at forward sucks, for anything other than goalies, Dman, prospects or picks? You need to get at least two bonafide forwards back. Same with Phoenix ideas.

Ek saying Vancouver interested in DB with possible picks coming back... hmm too bad it won't happen bc ek wrote it lol


So r the mon fans going to go onto the nyr board and talk about getting a goalie ran.. like flyers did to us....
- nh4442

FWIW, I was the only Flyers fan saying that I hoped Columbus would run MAF. I don't the the "Flyers" came on here and were talking to you guys about running goalies.

Also, 2 different (somewhat similar, I guess) situations.

Ultimately, it comes down to the amount of say that Botterill had. If he was the director of scouting and created the scouting profiles and draft "board", but Shero was the final voice on who was picked, then we might have a situation where Botterill knows the fatal flaws and how to fix them. He knows what we have in the minors and what we need to finish this team at the NHL level.

I believe with the complex situation cap wise it would hurt the Penguins to move him. He should be promoted to GM

I don't like any of the deals from Florida. If we are in a "win now" mode, we are essentially taking a horrid contract back (Luongo) and picks and prospects. Why would Pittsburgh want to deal a forward of Malkin's ability and talent, knowing out depth at forward sucks, for anything other than goalies, Dman, prospects or picks? You need to get at least two bonafide forwards back. Same with Phoenix ideas.
- Oneonta Penguin

It's hard. I'm trying to come with trades that fill needs for both teams, and it's tough when you've got a superstar.

That said, you wouldn't want an young, elite (yet somehow cheap) defender in OEL, a good, young #2 center in Boedker (good production on a mediocre team), and 2 picks for him? That's a pretty good deal, to me. OEL solidifies your back end, which allows you to trade Letang for a forward package, and you've upgraded your back end for less money (OEL > Letang).

Via Bob McKenzie tweets:

Brisson said: "Ron (Burkle), Mario (Lemieux) and I have been friends for a very long time. We've been linked to each other for many years and have exchanged ideas on many fronts and the business of hockey especially. They reached out on possible candidates for the vacant GM job on Friday. As for me, I am happy with what I do at CAA and will continue on the path of representing players."

Brisson not available anymore. Good news, although I never thought he was a legit candidate.

Via Bob McKenzie tweets:

Brisson said: "Ron (Burkle), Mario (Lemieux) and I have been friends for a very long time. We've been linked to each other for many years and have exchanged ideas on many fronts and the business of hockey especially. They reached out on possible candidates for the vacant GM job on Friday. As for me, I am happy with what I do at CAA and will continue on the path of representing players."
- rival22

Thank God for that. Probably didn't want the pay cut.

It's hard. I'm trying to come with trades that fill needs for both teams, and it's tough when you've got a superstar.

That said, you wouldn't want an young, elite (yet somehow cheap) defender in OEL, a good, young #2 center in Boedker (good production on a mediocre team), and 2 picks for him? That's a pretty good deal, to me. OEL solidifies your back end, which allows you to trade Letang for a forward package, and you've upgraded your back end for less money (OEL > Letang).
- jmatchett383

I love OEL. But, when you deal Malkin and you have a shortage of forwards, you need more than Hanzel or Boedker coming back to help supplement the devoid of depth in the top six, to nine forwards.

Thank God for that. Probably didn't want the pay cut.
- madmike71

Just think, though. Apparently, the Penguins and Pierre McGuire have a very strong relationship, and you know he'd love the chance. You'd be BEGGING for McKenzie if that happened.

Via Bob McKenzie tweets:

Brisson said: "Ron (Burkle), Mario (Lemieux) and I have been friends for a very long time. We've been linked to each other for many years and have exchanged ideas on many fronts and the business of hockey especially. They reached out on possible candidates for the vacant GM job on Friday. As for me, I am happy with what I do at CAA and will continue on the path of representing players."
- rival22

This is the best news possible

Ek saying Vancouver interested in DB with possible picks coming back... hmm too bad it won't happen bc ek wrote it lol


So r the mon fans going to go onto the nyr board and talk about getting a goalie ran.. like flyers did to us....
- nh4442

Not only that but it is in violation of the CBA

I love OEL. But, when you deal Malkin and you have a shortage of forwards, you need more than Hanzel or Boedker coming back to help supplement the devoid of depth in the top six, to nine forwards.
- Oneonta Penguin

Well, like I said, you could always do 2 deals, once for OEL+, and then flip Letang out for a forward package. You're saving $2M on your top #1 defenseman, upgrading it, and (hopefully) getting another top forward(s) back as part of the Letang deal. I also think both Hanzal and Boedker are 2 of the most underrated players in the game due to where they play.

Well, like I said, you could always do 2 deals, once for OEL+, and then flip Letang out for a forward package. You're saving $2M on your top #1 defenseman, upgrading it, and (hopefully) getting another top forward(s) back as part of the Letang deal. I also think both Hanzal and Boedker are 2 of the most underrated players in the game due to where they play.
- jmatchett383

Which player do you get a better forward package for Malkin or Letang?

Agree with your thoughts on Hanzel and Boedker though. I like them.

Just think, though. Apparently, the Penguins and Pierre McGuire have a very strong relationship, and you know he'd love the chance. You'd be BEGGING for McKenzie if that happened.
- jmatchett383

Cmon man, I just ate lunch.

Just think, though. Apparently, the Penguins and Pierre McGuire have a very strong relationship, and you know he'd love the chance. You'd be BEGGING for McKenzie if that happened.
- jmatchett383

Pierre has also took himself out of the running, although I don't believe that he was ever asked lol.

He is an extremely close friend of Shero, and has no interest in the job "because honor matters".

Thank god that Pierre McGuire and Shero are tight, and McGuire is as loyal as he is annoying.

Not only that but it is in violation of the CBA
- VANTEL

I've seen different respected hockey people on twitter say that it's not allowed to trade for a coach, but I can't find it in the CBA anywhere. Do you know where it's at?

Which player do you get a better forward package for Malkin or Letang?

Agree with your thoughts on Hanzel and Boedker though. I like them.
- Oneonta Penguin

Well, like I said, it's very hard to find a team to get "fair value" for Malkin who can give you the forwards you want. Letang could bring in, say, E. Kane and a first possibly. So you'd have E. Kane, OEL, Boedker, 2014 1st/2nd/3rd for Malkin and Letang. Not sure. Just some ideas.

I've seen different respected hockey people on twitter say that it's not allowed to trade for a coach, but I can't find it in the CBA anywhere. Do you know where it's at?
- rival22

No because that is a novel sized CBA . I too have hear it throughout the media but to pinpoint it out I am not interested in reading the CBA in its entirety

There is no reason to trade Evgeni Malkin at this point. I'm not sure why that comes up as much as it does. Letang will be difficult to move as well. I thought of cutting ties with Paul Martin to free up space, despite him being the most reliable defender we have, but at 5mill and now Boyle on the market as well... the waters seem a bit muddied.

I still think if you move Neal you have a real shot at bringing in Ryan Callahan.

There is no reason to trade Evgeni Malkin at this point. I'm not sure why that comes up as much as it does. Letang will be difficult to move as well. I thought of cutting ties with Paul Martin to free up space, despite him being the most reliable defender we have, but at 5mill and now Boyle on the market as well... the waters seem a bit muddied.

I still think if you move Neal you have a real shot at bringing in Ryan Callahan.
- usethe1-2-2

Ryan Callahan's next contract is going to be bad news for whatever team that signs him. Might look like the Ryan Malone situation minus the extracurriculars

Ryan Callahan's next contract is going to be bad news for whatever team that signs him. Might look like the Ryan Malone situation minus the extracurriculars
- Ryan_Wilson

I don't see how he gets 6mill anymore, to be honest. He just isn't that type of player. By limiting his penalty killing time I think you can save his body more, but he might be going in the same direction as Malone's career.
Do you see that in Kunitz now as well? He was hurting really bad before the playoffs even started.

I don't see how he gets 6mill anymore, to be honest. He just isn't that type of player. By limiting his penalty killing time I think you can save his body more, but he might be going in the same direction as Malone's career.
Do you see that in Kunitz now as well? He was hurting really bad before the playoffs even started.
- usethe1-2-2

He made $4.825 mil in actual salary this season, I think he still gets $5.5 mil +. The term to me is the scary part.

He made $4.825 mil in actual salary this season, I think he still gets $5.5 mil +. The term to me is the scary part.
- rival22

I need better offensive production for that kind of money and term

He made $4.825 mil in actual salary this season, I think he still gets $5.5 mil +. The term to me is the scary part.
- rival22

Good as long as it's not here.

R.J. Umberger's trade request is kind of interesting...