Start here, its pretty obvious what the Penguins problems were.

http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=6761
- Ryan_Wilson

So bottom-6 forward depth is the reason why Crosby and Kunitz struggled so much against a wild card team and another "lesser" team? Huh, Malkin actually outscored them. Maybe he shouldn't be traded and should center the first line as captain.

Wow hasnt even started his 8 yr contract, not sure you can kill shero for this he is an all world talent, but this contract looks as bad as the briere contract now
- BillKessel

He has been fragile for the last two years. That was a big concern and should have been taken into account.

R.J. Umberger's trade request is kind of interesting...
- nbartley9

I like RJ, hes a good kid, well, no longer a kid, but seeing him play back in High School, he was a good kid then, and from a Pittsburgh suburb. However, I don't think I'd take him at even 3 mil, yet alone 4.6, just isn't worth the money. I'd want the Blue Jackets picking up about half his salary if I was a team taking him in a trade. But, this isn't the Yankees dumping players with no salary cap to deal with, so doubt that will happen.

Pierre already said he wouldn't interview for it. "Honor matters to him" are his exact words. He's best friends with Shero
- Deadstar

I believe they both went to St. Lawrence together.

Well, although it was a trade driven by financial reasons, Edmonton traded (arguably) the best player in the history of the game and won a Stanley Cup 2 seasons later. Also, who is comparing Malkin/Crosby to Richards/Carter? You're right, it's not even close. All I'm saying is, if you have the best player in the game, it seems like having another top-5 player (again, arguably) at the same position is a luxury and insurance policy as opposed to a need. That's all.

I'm not saying it's the right idea. However, the way I see it, there are only 2 players in the game who are "untouchable" (Crosby, Stamkos), and for the right deal, anyone else could be dealt. But then again, I know Pittsburgh has some odd relationship with Malkin and his mom, so...
- jmatchett383

I don't know... I wouldn't consider it a luxury considering the position. Probably any other position I'd agree. For me Malkin is equally untouchable.

I don't know... I wouldn't consider it a luxury considering the position. Probably any other position I'd agree. For me Malkin is equally untouchable.
- madmike71

Stamkos and a 1st for Malkin with TB retaining 50% salary. Pick one.

Please point out, with detailed analysis, exactly what the problem is, why it has not been remedied when it's completely obvious to a person on a message board, and how Malkin is the key to success.
- jmatchett383

The problem is that Pittsburgh did not draft to retool, they drafted for a single strategy and that was trading away young puck moving defensemen for rental wingers.
If the Penguins had drafted a balanced approach, allow wingers to grow within the system, they would have been in a better position for the playoffs. Pittsburgh has had a bad habit of trading away young talented players who work their butts off because they didn't have "it" which was basically saying that if talent in the Penguins system did not fit on a line with Crosby or Malkin, they were traded. Too many good young players who brought different elements to the team were traded because the Management was so determined to find a top six winger for the big centers. This, plus a commitment to aging players who are only useful in a very specific role has made the penguins a one trick pony per line.

So, yes. The two centers are not the problem.

Stamkos and a 1st for Malkin with TB retaining 50% salary. Pick one.
- jmatchett383

Thats not even close, anyone would take that deal in a heartbeat.

Thats not even close, anyone would take that deal in a heartbeat.
- usethe1-2-2

Which one? Stamkos and a 1st + retained salary? Can't be, Malkin is "untouchable."

I like RJ, hes a good kid, well, no longer a kid, but seeing him play back in High School, he was a good kid then, and from a Pittsburgh suburb. However, I don't think I'd take him at even 3 mil, yet alone 4.6, just isn't worth the money. I'd want the Blue Jackets picking up about half his salary if I was a team taking him in a trade. But, this isn't the Yankees dumping players with no salary cap to deal with, so doubt that will happen.
- Guile

Why would CBJ pick up half his salary when there will be 10 teams looking for his services?

Please point out, with detailed analysis, exactly what the problem is, why it has not been remedied when it's completely obvious to a person on a message board, and how Malkin is the key to success.
- jmatchett383

3-4th line blow, our players are not put in a position to succeed(Iginla-Bennett), the "stick on puck" mentality in front of the cage is the most laughable scheme in the history of the NHL, no one sticks up for our top tier players, lastly we have the heart of an earth worm; and less physical than one.

Stamkos and a 1st for Malkin with TB retaining 50% salary. Pick one.
- jmatchett383

But see, that's ridiculous. I would trade Crosby if the Blackhawks give us Toews, Kane, Keith and eat 50% of their salaries. There's a difference between possibility and absurdity.

The problem is that Pittsburgh did not draft to retool, they drafted for a single strategy and that was trading away young puck moving defensemen for rental wingers.
If the Penguins had drafted a balanced approach, allow wingers to grow within the system, they would have been in a better position for the playoffs. Pittsburgh has had a bad habit of trading away young talented players who work their butts off because they didn't have "it" which was basically saying that if talent in the Penguins system did not fit on a line with Crosby or Malkin, they were traded. Too many good young players who brought different elements to the team were traded because the Management was so determined to find a top six winger for the big centers. This, plus a commitment to aging players who are only useful in a very specific role has made the penguins a one trick pony per line.

So, yes. The two centers are not the problem.
- usethe1-2-2

So what if (theoretically) you could take your $8.8M second line center and procure a package of good top-6 talent, i.e. trading a great player for a package of several very good players, and possibly saving some salary that could be used to procure even more good-very good players?

Why would CBJ pick up half his salary when there will be 10 teams looking for his services?
- VANTEL

Because I do not believe there are 10 teams looking for his services, but good for him if there is.

But see, that's ridiculous. I would trade Crosby if the Blackhawks give us Toews, Kane, Keith and eat 50% of their salaries. There's a difference between possibility and absurdity.
- madmike71

I wouldn't do that deal, because you'd have to jettison half the team for the salaries to work. It has to at least be plausible.

And no, there is no deal in the NHL that I would trade Crosby for. I don't care if it's Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook for free, I wouldn't do it.

3-4th line blow, our players are not put in a position to succeed(Iginla-Bennett), the "stick on puck" mentality in front of the cage is the most laughable scheme in the history of the NHL, no one sticks up for our top tier players, lastly we have the heart of an earth worm; and less physical than one.
- nbartley9

So aside from the bottom-6, you have the same core as the 2008 and 2009 teams. What has changed in those years? Same coach, same GM, same core. What's different?

Because I do not believe there are 10 teams looking for his services, but good for him if there is.
- Guile

There are more 10 teams looking for his services, but not at his price.

Because I do not believe there are 10 teams looking for his services, but good for him if there is.
- Guile

He scored 18 goals and was injured the last part of last year. he can play tough . I think 10 teams would be interested.

There are more 10 teams looking for his services, but not at his price.
- jmatchett383

Yes, I will admit poor phrasing, obviously teams want to have him, but not at that price. I don't think many would be jumping over one another for him at 3 mil, my original statement.

I don't get the Umberger injury question mark with him. He's missed 13 games total in the last 6 seasons.

He scored 18 goals and was injured the last part of last year. he can play tough . I think 10 teams would be interested.
- VANTEL

Gotta look at what hes now going to be viewed as... starting to age, possibly injury prone, and an average season last year. That is just not commanding what he made to be matched is all.

I don't get the Umberger injury question mark with him. He's missed 13 games total in the last 6 seasons.
- cap1681

NHL is fickle, very very fickle. Any team would like to use that one injury to try and slash his price and his value to other teams in free agency.

So what if (theoretically) you could take your $8.8M second line center and procure a package of good top-6 talent, i.e. trading a great player for a package of several very good players, and possibly saving some salary that could be used to procure even more good-very good players?
- jmatchett383

Then you do that, but let's get a few things straight. If you trade Malkin, the return has to be very very big. Conn Smythe, Hart, Art Ross2, it will take a major return. We are talking a true top six star, blue chip prospect, multiple high level selections and maybe even a bottom six character guy to even get the talks going.

Trading Malkin doesn't fix anything. You sign that contract so that as the cap goes up and his AAV stays the same, the extra money can be spread. The first few years of a new deal are always tough until the cap adjusts up.

There are more 10 teams looking for his services, but not at his price.
- jmatchett383

Calgary could use his big $$ contract as they have infinite cap space left if Cam doesn't resign.