These predictions of Staal's being traded are more overblown than Gunner's predictions for the Buffalo Bills. Next topic? Was it mutiny that did the Pens in? Is there infighting between Malkin and Sid? Is defense just another word for why we suck? Stay tuned............
- powerhouse

I'd rather be writing Round 2 game-day previews, for sure.

Hopefully Mario Williams can throw a tight spiral, catch and cover receivers running skinny post routes.

Ps. The Bills Suck.
- canadianpenfan

Take a look at the Bills Offensive statistics until Week 8, before Fitzpatrick broke his ribs. They were sewing kevlar into his jersey. If the Bills struggle, it won't be because of the quarterback position.

He doesn't have a choice, and no, that is not the best they would get.
- canadianpenfan

Of course he has a choice, nobody is going to force Staal into signing a contract and any team with half a brain won't give the moon (ie: 1st Overall pick or Bobby ryan) for a rental. Especially not a struggling team who won't even make the Playoffs next year.

Re-read McKenzie's tweets that started this. Staal has made his opinions known and is basically a UFA now. If you guys think you will get an asset back like Yakupov for 1 year of Staal you are delusional.

He doesn't have a choice, and no, that is not the best they would get.
- canadianpenfan

He doesn't and does, but I doubt EDM would want a player that doesn't wish to be there regardless they get to play with Nuge or Hall or Eberle. Considering it's going to cost EDM a 1st round pick. Yakupov on the other hand has stated he has no desire to fly over to the KHL and he is interested in being in EDM. At the end of the day, Staal prefers PIT or CAR. Grant him his wishes if possible.

Of course he has a choice, nobody is going to force Staal into signing a contract and any team with half a brain won't give the moon (ie: 1st Overall pick or Bobby ryan) for a rental. Especially not a struggling team who won't even make the Playoffs next year.

Re-read McKenzie's tweets that started this. Staal has made his opinions known and is basically a UFA now. If you guys think you will get an asset back like Yakupov for 1 year of Staal you are delusional.
- psoneill

I meant if they trade him he doesn't have a choice where he goes.

Teams have given up top 10 picks before for a rental and will do it again. Hell, Kaberle fetched a pretty good return from Boston and he wasn't good prior to the deal. Don't kid yourself.
- Oneonta Penguin

Boston didn't give up a top-10 pick for Kaberle...

Name the last rental that was traded for a top-10 pick. I think you might have to dig deep.

Don't kid yourself, J Staal is not even close to Kovalchuk who himself only netted a 24th Overall, a 2nd pairing D, and 2 mid-level prospects as a rental.

Of course he has a choice, nobody is going to force Staal into signing a contract and any team with half a brain won't give the moon (ie: 1st Overall pick or Bobby ryan) for a rental. Especially not a struggling team who won't even make the Playoffs next year.

Re-read McKenzie's tweets that started this. Staal has made his opinions known and is basically a UFA now. If you guys think you will get an asset back like Yakupov for 1 year of Staal you are delusional.
- psoneill

The only delusional thing at play is people making trade proposals for a player who is not a UFA and with 0% certainty about the CBA coming up.

Take a look at the Bills Offensive statistics until Week 8, before Fitzpatrick broke his ribs. They were sewing kevlar into his jersey. If the Bills struggle, it won't be because of the quarterback position.
- buffalofan19

The Bills suck. The rest of the division is ashamed to be associated with them.

Of course he has a choice, nobody is going to force Staal into signing a contract and any team with half a brain won't give the moon (ie: 1st Overall pick or Bobby ryan) for a rental. Especially not a struggling team who won't even make the Playoffs next year.

Re-read McKenzie's tweets that started this. Staal has made his opinions known and is basically a UFA now. If you guys think you will get an asset back like Yakupov for 1 year of Staal you are delusional.
- psoneill

Staal wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

Boston didn't give up a top-10 pick for Kaberle...

Name the last rental that was traded for a top-10 pick. I think you might have to dig deep.

Don't kid yourself, J Staal is not even close to Kovalchuk who himself only netted a 24th Overall, a 2nd pairing D, and 2 mid-level prospects as a rental.
- psoneill

No, but Boston gave up a kings ransome for a sh*tty defenseman in Kaberle.

Lets see ... Jordan Staal has one year left on his contract ... Kovalchuk was a pending free agent and made it known HE WASN'T RESIGNING. Add in the fact the GM in Atlanta at the time had no plan or clue ... you should get where I'm going.

By the way, your trade proposal - the 8th, McBain and Boychuk. Considering we have a farm system LITTERED with blueliners and are trying to send two, if not one of them packing to get Despres up full time - trading one of the best two-way forwards in the game for two more defenders - neither a shutdown type, doesn't make sense. I like McBain though.

Well played Filonius
- Gunner Staal

I've been saving that one.

I've been saving that one.
- Emperor Filonius

As long as I can have a Garbage Plate with it.

The only delusional thing at play is people making trade proposals for a player who is not a UFA and with 0% certainty about the CBA coming up.
- Gunner Staal

This.

Personally, I think unless he could get a Shea Weber quality defenseman in return, Shero will make another run with the 3 center model next year.

Penguins area great regular season team. Hard to see how they win in the playoffs unless they add more defensive character and jam into their lineup..
- spatso

I hope it's strawberry. My favorite.

Interesting for an agent to volunteer that Staal has not asked for a trade. Did he also mention that Jordon did not shoot JFK? Sounds like a much more subtle and classier way to put your name into play.

I hope it's strawberry. My favorite.
- acdc1206

I am a huge sour cherry fan, thank you. On multigrain toast please.

I am a huge sour cherry fan, thank you. On multigrain toast please.
- powerhouse

My Amish friends up here make some badass sour cherry jam/spread.

Interesting for an agent to volunteer that Staal has not asked for a trade. Did he also mention that Jordon did not shoot JFK? Sounds like a much more subtle and classier way to put your name into play.
- Canada Cup

There's a difference between has not and will not.

It's kinda hard to trade a pick for Staal when he'll be a UFA at the end of the yr and they cant touch his contract until 2 weeks after the draft. I dont know much about Yakapuv, but no more Russians.

Staal is probaly worth 5-5.5 to the Pens and they will probaly offer 5 yrs, so say a 25 mil contract. Open market he will get way more than that. Staal has a ton of potential and is really developing into a solid player. Its just with our team hes not going to get a ton of PP or 1/2 line duties. I highly doubt Staal wants to be in his role forever. Over his career he will lost a lot of money. Someone will offer him 6-7mil for atleast 6 yrs.

It's kinda hard to trade a pick for Staal when he'll be a UFA at the end of the yr and they cant touch his contract until 2 weeks after the draft. I dont know much about Yakapuv, but no more Russians.

Staal is probaly worth 5-5.5 to the Pens and they will probaly offer 5 yrs, so say a 25 mil contract. Open market he will get way more than that. Staal has a ton of potential and is really developing into a solid player. Its just with our team hes not going to get a ton of PP or 1/2 line duties. I highly doubt Staal wants to be in his role forever. Over his career he will lost a lot of money. Someone will offer him 6-7mil for atleast 6 yrs.
- sammy87

When you are already one of the best two-way forwards in the game at 23, I say he is already a solid player.

Yikes...

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When you are already one of the best two-way forwards in the game at 23, I say he is already a solid player.
- Oneonta Penguin

His point is that top-line scorers make a hell of a lot more than 3rd line defensive Centers. If Jordan thinks he has that potential why settle for less the rest of his career? He stands to make a lot more as a #1 or #2 C.

His point is that top-line scorers make a hell of a lot more than 3rd line defensive Centers. If Jordan thinks he has that potential why settle for less the rest of his career? He stands to make a lot more as a #1 or #2 C.
- psoneill

Exactly and he already has a cup, so he doesnt have to worry about staying with a contender to have his name etched in history. If I were Staal I would really consider cashing out in a sun belt team.

His point is that top-line scorers make a hell of a lot more than 3rd line defensive Centers. If Jordan thinks he has that potential why settle for less the rest of his career? He stands to make a lot more as a #1 or #2 C.
- psoneill

Two-way means offense and defense ... so, a 25-goal scorer is all the sudden defensive? Jordan Staal WASN'T known as a goal scorer in juniors. He was known to be a heady two-way forward, which is what you are seeing. He isn't going to pump in 45 goals per season. What he does give you is a solid two-way effort each night, something that alot of top-line forwards can't say. The offense is there - the defense isn't.

Exactly and he already has a cup, so he doesnt have to worry about staying with a contender to have his name etched in history. If I were Staal I would really consider cashing out in a sun belt team.
- sammy87

Like John threw in the article the quote from Staal, he's seen how much players who left Pittsburgh miss it *cough* Ryan Malone *cough*.