probably a bunch of fantasy hockey nerds
- BulliesPhan87

Do you as a Flyer fan think Malkin is less a threat playing wing? Is matching up against him any easier? It's not C on C but he's still got to be accounted for.

I really like Letang, but I am not against trading him if it makes sense.

But I just don't think the time is good for that to happen. With the uncertainty of Martin and Ehrhoff, you could in theory be left with a ton of unproven, young defensemen next season. I'd take Ehrhoff back at the right price, but not Martin. With his age, and the money/term he will want, I'll pass.

Maybe a couple seasons from now if Pouliot develops like we think, and Harrington proves to be a top 4 guy, and Maatta is as good as he has been, I'd revisit it. By then, those guys will be getting significant raises if their play is that good too, so moving Letang's cap hit might make more sense too.
- rival22

58 to me is the 2nd to last guy on the team to move. I get the criticisms but every trade scenario with him, usually is a F coming back. He is the #1Dman on the team. Martin is 33 and has as bad of injury history as Letang. Ehroff is decent but not 58. Then there is a big drop off and the prospects would be 3 seasons behind their potential. You could have moved him and keep Nisk but for the price no thanks. A very good Dman makes 7+, an elite Dman makes 8+. A team needs a very good Dman and the Pens have Letang. Moving him just makes a big hole and thats too much hope riding on the prospects.

Do you as a Flyer fan think Malkin is less a threat playing wing? Is matching up against him any easier? It's not C on C but he's still got to be accounted for.
- Johnny Wrath

to be honest, I don't really know. I'm inclined to say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Thing about Letang is his cap hit will be a steal in the next year or two already with the cap projection. Subban got that monster deal, tanger is locked up for 7.25 for long term. It won't be soon until top defense men make 9-10 million regularly.

Also think about this, Orpik is locked up for 5.5 and niskanen at 5.75. Still want to trade Letang for 1.75 million freed up in difference of them?
- znagle

Well said. Letang is worth every penny, and there's not a single defenseman on the roster or in the system who can replace him. Pouliot has a long way to go defensively until he can get to Letang's level.

And I personally don't believe that Letang has reached his ceiling yet. He's only 27, which is really young in D man years.

Thing about Letang is his cap hit will be a steal in the next year or two already with the cap projection. Subban got that monster deal, tanger is locked up for 7.25 for long term. It won't be soon until top defense men make 9-10 million regularly.

Also think about this, Orpik is locked up for 5.5 and niskanen at 5.75. Still want to trade Letang for 1.75 million freed up in difference of them?
- znagle

I agree.. that cap hit will look better and better, especially when the next tier of player down only saves you a couple million bucks and it's a pretty big step down in ability.

I was just saying that if the young guys develop like we hope, Letang could be expendable then... And if those guys (Maatta, Pouliot, Despres, Harrington, etc) are all eventually $4-$5+ million dollar a year guys, that blue line could get pricey. But I'll cross that bridge if and when we ever get there. For the foreseeable future, #58 stays in Pittsburgh.

to be honest, I don't really know. I'm inclined to say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
- BulliesPhan87

Malkin at C is playing with that weak LW or a weak RW. They either give him Hornqvist or Kunitz.
Or, Pittsburgh can play Sutter at C with Malkin at LW and the same weak RW. Maybe that's Comeau or Bennett if he is healthy.

Is it a bigger threat to have Sutter at C who can actually play and Malkin being Malkin? That means the first line can be Kunitz-Sid-Hornqvist.

I've thought for a while that Malkin should be playing wing, just not with Sid.

Well said. Letang is worth every penny, and there's not a single defenseman on the roster or in the system who can replace him. Pouliot has a long way to go defensively until he can get to Letang's level.

And I personally don't believe that Letang has reached his ceiling yet. He's only 27, which is really young in D man years.
- hardnosed

Yea, Pouliot is ahead of Letang in his development from when Letang was at this point. But it will be a while until Pouliot can "replace" Letang.

Besides, they really play a different game and aren't really comparable other than offensive output.

As a trade chip, imo, you move Martin, Scuderi, Bortuzzo, Dumoulin before thinking about moving Letang. I can't think of too many wingers that would make the team better than the loss of Letang on the backend. If we got something ridiculous, like Hall + Petry...maybe but I just don't think its realistic and we should look to move a number of other defenseman first.

This would be a nice core group for the next 5 years. But I wouldn't mind an insurance policy like Ehrhoff sticking around for a few more.

Letang-Maatta
Harrington-Pouliot
Bortuzzo/Dumoulin-Despres

Malkin at C is playing with that weak LW or a weak RW. They either give him Hornqvist or Kunitz.
Or, Pittsburgh can play Sutter at C with Malkin at LW and the same weak RW. Maybe that's Comeau or Bennett if he is healthy.

Is it a bigger threat to have Sutter at C who can actually play and Malkin being Malkin? That means the first line can be Kunitz-Sid-Hornqvist.

I've thought for a while that Malkin should be playing wing, just not with Sid.
- Johnny Wrath

I guess it's hard for me to process right now. I've seen two wins in the past month, I don't feel feelings anymore.

The MAF debate has ruined this thread many times over, some people like him some people don't; this goes the same for Quarterbacks and Power Hitters in the Burgh. It will never change, you can beat people over the head with stats like a freeze dried elephant turd. Its never ever going to change, people in this city love to complain and they always throw the blame at the most obvious player in their minds, or simply the guy they don't like; in this case its MAF. After he wins his 2nd and 3rd cup everyone will shut their holes about him, then again maybe not.


Best goalie in franchise history, suck it
- nbartley9

His recent performances in the playoffs and his performances in the tough games do not indicate a 2nd or 3rd cup any time soon. "Creampuff" as he is known here in Vegas is lucky he plays on a very good offensive team - main reason for all the wins in his career. Frankly I love MAF I have won a lot of money betting against this clown when he's playing against the good teams - especially on the road.

I guess it's hard for me to process right now. I've seen two wins in the past month, I don't feel feelings anymore.
- BulliesPhan87

2000-01 - Eastern Finals. Kovalev.

Then...

2001-02 ~28-41-8
2002-03 ~27-44-6
2003-04 ~23-47-8
2005-06 ~22-46

Tank it like Pittsburgh and try to draft 1 or 2.

To be fair there have been a total of two answers to zero, one being you.
- Johnny Wrath

Lol I know just playing with you J

Top six is too much ice time for BB. Let him play third line while hes healthy. At least when he gets hurt again it won't as big a blow to the lineup.

Top six is too much ice time for BB. Let him play third line while hes healthy. At least when he gets hurt again it won't as big a blow to the lineup.
- Grinder47

+ Comeau has been pretty consistent for us. I don't remember Bennett having such a good chemistry with Geno.

+ Comeau has been pretty consistent for us. I don't remember Bennett having such a good chemistry with Geno.
- Barnaby36

He has alright chemistry with Sutter. He hasn't really played for a great stretch with anyone, though. Beau is more like a trade acquisition Pittsburgh keeps getting over and over again.

He has alright chemistry with Sutter. He hasn't really played for a great stretch with anyone, though. Beau is more like a trade acquisition Pittsburgh keeps getting over and over again.
- Johnny Wrath

Yes, he's got great chemistry with Sutter that's why I defended this 16-71-19 line for a while...but now things have changed. We have to take advantage of Comeau's maximized production with Geno.

Wow... loads of talk today... really don't feel like reading back on near 300 posts, so whats the jist?

Trade rumors on who for who... and or are we auctioning off Crosby or Malkin again?

Wow... loads of talk today... really don't feel like reading back on near 300 posts, so whats the jist?

Trade rumors on who for who... and or are we auctioning off Crosby or Malkin again?
- Guile

We're trading Letang and Fleury for Bernier and Nelson Mandela.

We're trading Letang and Fleury for Bernier and Nelson Mandela.
- hardnosed

I loved watching him growing up. Truly one of the best.

Conditioning assignment for Jeremy Morin. Its only a matter of time before he is traded. Has middle six potential and loves to play a kunitz style game.
Depending on the price I would take a chance on the kid. He obviously isn't happy. Maybe a chance outside Chicago is all he needs to bloom.

I loved watching him growing up. Truly one of the best.
- usethe1-2-2

Obviously he's been a tremendous athlete.

Wow... loads of talk today... really don't feel like reading back on near 300 posts, so whats the jist?

Trade rumors on who for who... and or are we auctioning off Crosby or Malkin again?
- Guile

Got here late? Ill fill you in. Johnny Emo has been glooming us with tales of how Letang is not a #1 dman in this league. And how we are terrible, and everything is blue in this world...

I loved watching him growing up. Truly one of the best.
- usethe1-2-2

Bernier?

Got here late? Ill fill you in. Johnny Emo has been glooming us with tales of how Letang is not a #1 dman in this league. And how we are terrible, and everything is blue in this world...
- stackthepads

Well... hes not that best Dman in the league, he is the best on our team. And... I can't say we are great right now with half of the lineup out.

Boo hoo, I'll wait 2 weeks until almost everyone is back

Conditioning assignment for Jeremy Morin. Its only a matter of time before he is traded. Has middle six potential and loves to play a kunitz style game.
Depending on the price I would take a chance on the kid. He obviously isn't happy. Maybe a chance outside Chicago is all he needs to bloom.
- usethe1-2-2

I wonder what the price would be, because Morin is intriguing. He could fit in a multitude of spots. His shot would work well on the Crosby line, that's something that the first line could use. But he could also help make the third line very dangerous, with him and Sutter and soon Bennett.

Only concern would be that it's another righty, but he's got experience playing on the left so it's less of a concern.

Well... hes not that best Dman in the league, he is the best on our team. And... I can't say we are great right now with half of the lineup out.

Boo hoo, I'll wait 2 weeks until almost everyone is back
- Guile

Offensively, defensively, and on both special teams units, the team is noticeably worse with Letang out.