Staal is a great third line center, thats what he is.
- Cptmjl

Lets put him on team that doesn't have Crosby and Malkin. What does Staal become?

Then you are greatly misinformed and know very little about Yakupov and prospects in general.
- mochoson

No I really dont know much about him, I take a wait and see approach to prospects. I dont have the time to research them. But I dont think its in the Pens best interest to bring in a kid who maybe great, or not even ready for the NHL at this point. THe Pens need players ready now to win cuz their window will be closing soon.

No I really dont know much about him, I take a wait and see approach to prospects. I dont have the time to research them. But I dont think its in the Pens best interest to bring in a kid who maybe great, or not even ready for the NHL at this point. THe Pens need players ready now to win cuz their window will be closing soon.
- sammy87

The Pens window isn't anywhere close to closing, that's ludacris.

Yakupov is as ready as you could possibly be for a top six spot on an NHL club.

Kinda hard to ignore a prospect that is often compared to Pavel Bure.

Lets put him on team that doesn't have Crosby and Malkin. What does Staal become?
- Ben37

1st or 2nd line center depending on the team?

The Pens window isn't anywhere close to closing, that's ludacris.

Yakupov is as ready as you could possibly be for a top six spot on an NHL club.

Kinda hard to ignore a prospect that is often compared to Pavel Bure.
- mochoson

Like I said this is all talk. The Portland Trailblazers took a player over Michael Jordan based on scouting reports.

Lets put him on team that doesn't have Crosby and Malkin. What does Staal become?
- Ben37

he has similar offensive potential to what mike richards put up in his good years on the flyers, along with similar defensive prowess. It was fine calling Richie a top 2 center, but nah, screw staal

stall ant go-ing newere, he stay hear in pittsburg. their knot letting him go. butt eye dont no. we shallow sea

Like I said this is all talk. The Portland Trailblazers took a player over Michael Jordan based on scouting reports.
- sammy87

You counter with an example from a completley different sport, one decades old at that?

It's not "all talk". Yakupov will be in the NHL next year.

You counter with an example from a completley different sport, one decades old at that?

It's not "all talk". Yakupov will be in the NHL next year.
- mochoson

you will find no disagreement from me on that. he will most likely crack 20 goals too

you will find no disagreement from me on that. he will most likely crack 20 goals too
- stayinthefnnet

Last forward drafted first overall that didn't score 20 as a rookie was Stefan in 1999.

Nash and NuHop both score 20 if they play enough games.

So with your logic you should take a potential fifty pt scorer(with limited PP time,lol) over a potential game changing 80 to 100 pt scorer? Don't forget Crosby was a first overall, Malkin second, Fluery, do I need to go on?

He's isn't a potential 50 point guy, he IS a 50 point guy. Give him 1st line minutes and he could be an 80 point + guy. The point was that first overall picks are in no way a sure bet. I wouldn't trade a known comodity in staal (with potential selke) for an potential 80-100 point scorer. Nobody knows if he will be a crosby/stamkos or a stephan/dipietro. People tend to way overvalue first picks. You act as if you know nail, never playing a nhl game yet, can become a better player than staal, when there is no proof he will ever even approach his accomplishments. its silly
- ChrisMS

Let me ask you, if you were Edmonton would you trade Yakupov for Staal, be honest.

Lets put him on team that doesn't have Crosby and Malkin. What does Staal become?
- Ben37

Maybe a second line center or a third depending on what team

1st or 2nd line center depending on the team?
- sammy87

That would be maybe a second definitely third line center on alot of teams. They guy MAY be a first line center some day but then we're going on potential, you guys don't like doing that. He has not proven he was one when Crosby was out.

Maybe a second line center or a third depending on what team
- Cptmjl

He'd be 2nd line center on 25 teams, and a first line center on a few crappy ones.

Let me ask you, if you were Edmonton would you trade Yakupov for Staal, be honest.
- Cptmjl

As I said, it depends on if they want to continue to work through the rebuild, or if they want to win some games now.

Yakupov very likely could be the next Pavel Bure, but it could take him 3 years to figure out how to play in the NHL. You already know what you are getting with Staal. 50 points on the third line could be more on the 2nd line, a Selke contender, one of the best Pk forwards in the league, who comes in at 6'4 220lbs.

As someone who watches the Oilers as much as I watch the Penguins a player like Jordan Staal is exactly what the Oilers need on their 2nd line. I don't believe that Yakupov is what they need with Hall, Eberle, Hemsky, and PRV in the top 4 wing spots.

They need to improve their centers after RNH and their blueline.

Maybe a second line center or a third depending on what team
- Cptmjl

I'd put him on at least 2nd line of ANA, BUF, CAL, CAR, CHI, COL, DAL, EDM, FLA, MIN, MON, NAS, NJ, NYI, OTT, PHO, TOR, WAS, and WIN.

First line on CAL, COL, DAL, MON, NAS, PHO, TOR, and WIN.

im saying he has the potential to be elite and Staal doesn't. I'm glad your reading too much into the Russian hype and pinning it on a guy that chose to come over to NA to play for pennies when he could be getting paid large back home.
- Jay Uller

potential is a word that gets GMs and coaches fired more than hired.

As I said, it depends on if they want to continue to work through the rebuild, or if they want to win some games now.

Yakupov very likely could be the next Pavel Bure, but it could take him 3 years to figure out how to play in the NHL. You already know what you are getting with Staal. 50 points on the third line could be more on the 2nd line, a Selke contender, one of the best Pk forwards in the league, who comes in at 6'4 220lbs.

As someone who watches the Oilers as much as I watch the Penguins a player like Jordan Staal is exactly what the Oilers need on their 2nd line. I don't believe that Yakupov is what they need with Hall, Eberle, Hemsky, and PRV in the top 4 wing spots.

They need to improve their centers after RNH and their blueline.
- Ben37

Hemsky puts up just as many points as Stall without having to give up a first overall. Is Stall a defensive forward, sure. He got nominated for the Selke. Didn't win it. Nielsen was a thought for the Selke as well and his numbers aren't far off from Staal's. With your logic maybe we could work something out with the Oilers for Yak. Not trying to be an ass but that trade would get a GM fired. Anyone with any sense whatsoever wouldn't do it. Its not to knock Staal, he's a decent player but not worth it whether the Oilers need a two way center or not.

potential is a word that gets GMs and coaches fired more than hired.
- Oneonta Penguin

Making a trade with a potential 100 pt scorer for a one time 50 pt scorer will get a GM fired even quicker. Defensive genius or not.

Hemsky puts up just as many points as Stall without having to give up a first overall. Is Stall a defensive forward, sure. He got nominated for the Selke. Didn't win it. Nielsen was a thought for the Selke as well and his numbers aren't far off from Staal's. With your logic maybe we could work something out with the Oilers for Yak. Not trying to be an ass but that trade would get a GM fired. Anyone with any sense whatsoever wouldn't do it. Its not to knock Staal, he's a decent player but not worth it whether the Oilers need a two way center or not.
- Cptmjl

Ales Hemsky hasn't had a 25-goal season in his professional career. Ales Hemsky hasn't reached the 50-point level since the 2007-08 season. Please don't use Ales Hemsky as the equal to Staal. The guy is fragile; the guy doesn't produce and God knows the guy can't play defense.

Your GM should already have been fired for giving Hemsky a 10-million deal over two years. Anyone with any sense knows that too.

Hemsky puts up just as many points as Stall without having to give up a first overall. Is Stall a defensive forward, sure. He got nominated for the Selke. Didn't win it. Nielsen was a thought for the Selke as well and his numbers aren't far off from Staal's. With your logic maybe we could work something out with the Oilers for Yak. Not trying to be an ass but that trade would get a GM fired. Anyone with any sense whatsoever wouldn't do it. Its not to knock Staal, he's a decent player but not worth it whether the Oilers need a two way center or not.
- Cptmjl

Hemsky isn't a center. The Oilers are set on the wings with Hemsky included, hence why I said they have to improve their centers. Neilson had 3 less points in 20 more games. If Staal plays the whole season Neilson isn't even close.

At some point the Oilers have to start addressing their needs. The easiest way to do that is to move what other teams might want. They aren't going to get better players by trading Horcoff, Jones, Belanger, Omark, or Peckham.

Heres a little something to brighten the mood around here. If you can get around the terrible soundtrack there are a ton of amazing highlights. Specifically at the 3:48 mark. That goal is why Mario's statue is what it is (not the exact play but the concept). Truly remarkable how many highlight goals he has with guys trying to tackle him. On an average goal in these 3 videos there are about 2 or 3 penalties that could be called on any given play. Its a 3 part series (about 21 minutes total), I'll post the links to the other two at the bottom. Enjoy, its still great to be a Penguins fan



Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/wa...dgtn4KRz9o&feature=relmfu

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/wa...dR26f1vXNc&feature=relmfu

Ales Hemsky hasn't had a 25-goal season in his professional career. Ales Hemsky hasn't reached the 50-point level since the 2007-08 season. Please don't use Ales Hemsky as the equal to Staal. The guy is fragile; the guy doesn't produce and God knows the guy can't play defense.

Your GM should already have been fired for giving Hemsky a 10-million deal over two years. Anyone with any sense knows that too.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'm not an Oiler fan but my GM blows as well and should be fired. Staal doesnt exactly have the best injury history. Whether they need a great third line center or a second line center Tambelini would never make this trade and if he did it'd be his last.

That would be maybe a second definitely third line center on alot of teams. They guy MAY be a first line center some day but then we're going on potential, you guys don't like doing that. He has not proven he was one when Crosby was out.
- Cptmjl

This proves to me you lack hockey IQ; don't watch any hockey, or are here just to troll.

I want you to put down every team in the NHL right now and put 1st line center; second line center; third line center, or fourth line center. I'm sure I will be waiting a while for a response, because you don't want to look foolish with your responses.

I'm not an Oiler fan but my GM blows as well and should be fired. Staal doesnt exactly have the best injury history. Whether they need a great third line center or a second line center Tambelini would never make this trade and if he did it'd be his last.
- Cptmjl

Staal's injuries have been more flukey, like Slewbban slicing him with his skate in the play-offs two years ago. Breath on Hemsky, we know he goes down and tears a toenail.