Two things.
1. Pavel Datsyuk is the only Russian in the NHL who does not fit the Russian stereotype of being lazy and not playing physical. Him and Malkin are the only two Russian players I would want on my team.
2. You mean to tell me that Ryan Smyth isn't the unbelievable leader that everyone thinks he is? He might be a little, dare I say, overrated? Gasp!

I've been saying it for quite some time now... Smyth is evil.
- laughs2907

You have said that and I am starting to agree. It doesn't seem like Smyth wants 3rd line duty or the dough that goes with it. Meaning he doesn't see his reality

They have no idea. They are going on nothing but assumptions. When the GM comes out and makes it a point to say they were going to work hard at getting Staal and Crosby done this summer, I think that is a signal Pittsburgh wants to keep him. And if they trade him, they are going to have several teams bidding. I'm sure more than a third rate player in Sam Gagner and a second will be offered by someone.
- Oneonta Penguin

Pending UFA Hossa was acquired (along with Dupuis) for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christiensen, Angelo Esposito and a 1st.

Pending UFA Ilya Kovalchuk was acquired (along with Anssi Salmela) for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a 1st.

These are deadline deals, but these were regarded at the time and/or still are better players than Staal.

So they'd probably get more than Gagner + a 2nd if they traded him this summer, but not an astronomical amount more.

I've been saying it for quite some time now... Smyth is evil.
- laughs2907

Smyth's not evil. He's just mind-numbingly overrated. Seriously, what's up with the love affair with this guy? He's a good grinder, nothing more.

You have said that and I am starting to agree. It doesn't seem like Smyth wants 3rd line duty or the dough that goes with it. Meaning he doesn't see his reality
- QDOGGER

Smyth's not evil. He's just mind-numbingly overrated. Seriously, what's up with the love affair with this guy? He's a good grinder, nothing more.
- GOODPLAYA20

When he first came back, I think some people were expecting the 06 version of Smyth and after going almost a ppg for the first 20 some games that excitement was reasonable. But the reality is he's old now, can't put up those points and is a pretty good third liner at best. But now that there's rumors about him wanting more money or not being the leader in the locker room people thought, many people don't care to see him resigned.

Think that pretty much covers it

Smyth's not evil. He's just mind-numbingly overrated. Seriously, what's up with the love affair with this guy? He's a good grinder, nothing more.
- GOODPLAYA20

I was joking when I called him evil, but I really REALLY dislike the guy. He did to LA, what Pronger/Souray etc etc did to us... And he's all about the $$$$$$$$$$. Forget about accepting a home-town discount... This guy won't even accept fair value. I bet he's delusional enough to be looking for over 4+ per season...

And you know that Staal won't re-sign HOW exactly? Despite the wet dreams of most every other wanna be fanboy GM in the league, the biggest likelihood is he stays put. The Pens know what they have in him, and they will make an offer that keeps him happy. Even if the Pens decide they have to deal him, the chances that Shero would make this trade are lower than Ek dating Shania Twain, and that's saying something. IF Staal gets traded, its going to be for a Shea Weber quality defenseman.
- Emperor Filonius

What a joke. Staal isn't worth a top 3 dman in the league. Worst post ever

I do believe he's closer to 25.

Tell you what: You keep the Sedins and Kesler. I'll keep Yakupov, Hall, Eberle and Nuge. We'll see which team is better in about three seasons.
- Maxbone

Not trolling here, but how much do you want to bet that Edmonton doesn't have all four of those players in 3 seasons?

Jordan Staal for Sam Gagner is laughable.

Jordan Staal for the #1 Pick is laughable.

i do think that EDM should consider moving the pick though.

still dreaming about seeing Eberle playing next to Crosby one day...

I was joking when I called him evil, but I really REALLY dislike the guy. He did to LA, what Pronger/Souray etc etc did to us... And he's all about the $$$$$$$$$$. Forget about accepting a home-town discount... This guy won't even accept fair value. I bet he's delusional enough to be looking for over 4+ per season...
- laughs2907

I bet he regrets what he did to LA now...haha.

Sort of like all your trade ideas. I haven't seen one idea that isn't totally lopsided toward Edmonton. Show me you have some hockey sense Richard. Try to make a deal that could potentially work for both, not just one.

If you were the Penguins blogger, would you even think Gagner and a second for Staal is worth it for the Pens? You would laugh.

Would you think Staal plus Despres for the top overall pick was a fair deal for the Pens? I doubt it.
- Oneonta Penguin

Thats the point. We're not trading this pick unless someone overpays. We're happy to take Yakupov

Not trolling here, but how much do you want to bet that Edmonton doesn't have all four of those players in 3 seasons?
- james

Never know, it appears that Hall, Eberle, and Nuge all want to be here and may even consider a paycut if it means they all get to stay. Yakupov don't know enough about yet to assume anything there. However if we do end up losing one of them, we will be getting quality back in return.

Jordan Staal for Sam Gagner is laughable.

Jordan Staal for the #1 Pick is laughable.

i do think that EDM should consider moving the pick though.

still dreaming about seeing Eberle playing next to Crosby one day...
- SuperHenderson13

If Edmonton moves that pick, it should be for a bonafide #1 d man or goalie. Adding more forwards to a group of pretty talented forwards would be a horrible move.

Pending UFA Hossa was acquired (along with Dupuis) for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christiensen, Angelo Esposito and a 1st.

Pending UFA Ilya Kovalchuk was acquired (along with Anssi Salmela) for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a 1st.

These are deadline deals, but these were regarded at the time and/or still are better players than Staal.

So they'd probably get more than Gagner + a 2nd if they traded him this summer, but not an astronomical amount more.
- Morris

Big difference to me between the examples you made. Kovalchuk and Hossa were indeed trade deadline deals, while Staal has a full year left. It wasn't a given Kovalchuk was going to resign with NJ and Hossa with Pittsburgh (he didn't). Having a player for a full year should net you a better return. While Staal isn't in the category of a Kovalchuk or Hossa offensively, he is still significant.

Funny ... you look at the Hossa deal. Who would have thought Dupuis alone would amount to more than Armstrong, Christiansen, Esposito and the first rounder?

Jordan Staal for Sam Gagner is laughable.

Jordan Staal for the #1 Pick is laughable.

i do think that EDM should consider moving the pick though.

still dreaming about seeing Eberle playing next to Crosby one day...
- SuperHenderson13

I agree 100%. If Edmonton made that deal, Tambo would be fired.

Never know, it appears that Hall, Eberle, and Nuge all want to be here and may even consider a paycut if it means they all get to stay. Yakupov don't know enough about yet to assume anything there. However if we do end up losing one of them, we will be getting quality back in return.
- freelancer

Even with a paycut to stay, at the rate the first three are going, it's 5-6 million each on their next contracts, and that's only if they stay at the production rate they are at. What happens if Hall breaks out and scroes 50 next year...7+ million a year Stamkos money is what he or Eberle would be after. No team can afford three of them without sacrificing somewhere else. Add Yakupov and potentially there is 4 guys who could all be commanding huge money in 2-3 years.

Never know, it appears that Hall, Eberle, and Nuge all want to be here and may even consider a paycut if it means they all get to stay. Yakupov don't know enough about yet to assume anything there. However if we do end up losing one of them, we will be getting quality back in return.
- freelancer

Yakupov said as long as he gets chocolate bars, he's happy. I get the feeling he'll be easy to get along with.

What a joke. Staal isn't worth a top 3 dman in the league. Worst post ever
- Ihatebrianburke

I think he could go in a package for Weber - not straight up. Of course, Nashville would have to put him on the block and I don't think it does, so its moot.

Worst post ever? Can't be. Hemsky for a first rounder; Staal for Gagner and all of Toronto fan ideas involving the KKK guys are even worse.

If Edmonton moves that pick, it should be for a bonafide #1 d man or goalie. Adding more forwards to a group of pretty talented forwards would be a horrible move.
- james

i agree. maybe someone like Weber, or a nice package for a young goalie and some nhl ready defensemen.

no need to move the pick, but if they get the offer they should take it.

I agree 100%. If Edmonton made that deal, Tambo would be fired.
- laughs2907

He should have been canned the day he gave Hemsky two years, 10 million. That was utterly ridiculous.

He should have been canned the day he gave Hemsky two years, 10 million. That was utterly ridiculous.
- Oneonta Penguin

I agree that that was too much for Hemsky. The only reason fans weren't going completely ape sh1t, is because it's only a 2 year deal. If that was long term at 4 per, Edmonton fans would have had his head.

He should have been canned the day he gave Hemsky two years, 10 million. That was utterly ridiculous.
- Oneonta Penguin

Especially knowing the chance he could be winning the draft lottery and getting another rw, Tambo looks pretty stupid to have re-signed Hemsky instead of getting some sort of asset for him.

I think he could go in a package for Weber - not straight up. Of course, Nashville would have to put him on the block and I don't think it does, so its moot.

Worst post ever? Can't be. Hemsky for a first rounder; Staal for Gagner and all of Toronto fan ideas involving the KKK guys are even worse.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agreed Gags isnt worth Staal.
The oil were offered a 1st for Hemsky but demanded Brayden Schenn and Lombardi told them to beat it.

I agree that that was too much for Hemsky. The only reason fans weren't going completely ape sh1t, is because it's only a 2 year deal. If that was long term at 4 per, Edmonton fans would have had his head.
- laughs2907

Hemsky is a guy that should only be given a year to year deal. With his injury resume, he can't be trusted. How a guy that had a not so good year gets rewarded to a two-million dollar raise is beyond me. Two years isn't four - you are right. However, that is alot of jack to shell out for uncertainty. Add in the Horcoff deal - 5.5 million per over the next three years? Yikes.