This isn't a match. Sekera and Leopold are puck moving defensemen. That is the last we need. Letang, Niskanen, Despres, Morrow, Harrington ... we are over loaded with those. I don't think Buffalo is a fit. Staal fits Buffalo, but I don't see a match in return that benefits Pittsburgh.
- Oneonta Penguin

How about Pominville and Weber?

To answer your questions from an Oilers perspective:

1. What would you give up for Jordan Staal?
If the Penguins re-sign Staal to a long-term deal before moving him, I'm offering up Gagner and Magnus Paajarvi. I'm not giving up the 1st overall pick (Nail Yakupov) for him.

2. What do you want for Staal?
If I'm the Penguins, and assuming Staal won't sign a contract extension for me, what I want for Staal is ideally a Top 10 draft pick and a 2nd asset. The Pens are hella deep with D prospects, so maybe I'm looking for a replacement 3rd line center.

3. Is he a legit #1?
Hard to say, as he's played his career focusing more on being a success as a two-way guy. In the #1 center role, I'm not sure he has as much offensive upside as some seem to think. He can be a 30 goal, 60pts center, which is average points-wise.

4. How much would you pay for Staal?
I assume you're referring to contract? If the Oilers could sign him next season as a UFA, and if the Oil would be signing him because they need a 2nd line center with size to back up Nuge in the #1 role, I'd be offering five years, $5mil per. He wouldn't sign with Edmonton though, as there are plenty of dumb GM's out there who would overpay and offer more than that.
- Maxbone

Stick to your own ridiculous blogs. I love how Leaf fans are constantly accused of overvaluing their players when clowns like this somehow think that MPS is worth more than a bag of tape, and Gagner's 2 great games in his career makes him a highly touted asset. I bet most Oil fans are pretty damn embarrassed you claim to represent the "Oilers perspective".

Cburgess who do you want the Habs to draft? What do you think about your new GM? I'm jealous your getting Rick Dudley don't know why his isn't with the Sabres
- Mathwil3

i will tell you how i like the new GM in a few seasons. He as a pretty big mess to clean up. And it depends on who edm and columbus drafts. But i would like to see either grigorenko, or galchenyuck

Ya your right about it being a good fit in SJ for Stall. If the Sharks can find a taker for Thorton, & than they can acquire Stall, the Sharks would have a GREAT young 1-2 punch at center in Couture & Stall.
- GCHonda

Absent Couture, which isn't going anywhere and I wouldn't trade him for Staal - Pavelski or Clowe are the two names that should interest Pittsburgh (not both - one or the other).

Oneonta Penguin.
Richard Cloutier.

Time out.

Lets start with this. Lets all agree that we value the players on our favourite teams, because we see the little details that non fans miss. As Oiler fans, Richard and I have seen what MAKES Hemsky a great player, the details, whereas non Oiler fans read stats sheets and watch TSN recaps. Oneonta, you know far more about Jordan Staal than Richard and I do, because that is your team, you have seen far more games, and witnessed the details. So lets get some obvious info out there.

Hemsky is an elite playmaker, was approximately a PPG player in his career until this last season. Bad news is he is coming of a crap season, and his injury history.

Staal is one of the best two way centres in the game, and he's big. However, he has yet to have a great season, even with the added ice time due to injuries to Malkin and Crosby. Didn't produce much as a 1st line centre, not even really a 2nd line.

Staal would be GREAT for Edmonton because we would love the size. We NEED the size. The defensive play comes in handy as well. And although his offence hasn't blown anyone away, picture him on a line with Yakupov. He will produce. All we would need is a 2nd line left winger, and we have one of the scariest top 6 in the league.

Hemsky would be GREAT for Pittsburgh because Malkin has Neal, imagine Crosby with Hemsky. Hemsky does this thing where he can lure 3 players to him with his deking skills, opening up his teammates. This is how he somehow managed to make Horcoff, Smyth, and Penner look better than they are. I believe his injury history will be a thing of the past, and I think the way he lures opponents to him may save CROSBY from getting hurt again.

Now, before you FREAK OUT Oneonta, I know that Staal for Hemsky straight across will not happen. Why? Because Edmonton needs this trade more than Pittburgh does. Right now both of you think I am crazy, but get over your own biased opinions and think this over, okay?

Now, that being said, not much needs to be added to make this trade go through, as Staal has one year on his contract. So what to add? Lets hear your guys thoughts?

Oh, and Oneonta... I gotta say, I disagree with about 80% of what Clouts says in his blogs, he makes me shake my head often. But he is a blogger, and you are not, so maybe he knows a little more about blogging than you. No need to have a temper tantrum on him. Lets be honest, how many of the proposals do you agree with, why verbally smack him alone?
- Friesenhan

If you watched any of the PIT/PHI series you would've seen that weak-on-the-puck forwards were PIT's achilles heal. Adding Hemsky just makes this worse. Players who don't care don't bring teams Stanley Cups.

How about Pominville and Weber?
- Mathwil3

I like Pominville alot. However, again, this is a cap thing. He is making 5.3 million and Weber is making 950K. Staal is at 4 million. There would have to be another deal - probably involving someone of Tyler Kennedy's salary.

Couturier might be the most Jordan Staal-like player since Jordan Staal. He's going to be a solid NHL player. A big fan of his game.

A year before the 2011 NHL draft, Couturier was considered in the top three, if not the top prospect. Which just goes to show sometimes teams over-think the obvious.

Nuge was good at #1. Landeskog at #2 was the right pick. Huberdeau at #3 looks okay but he hasn't proven anything at the pro level yet. Larsson at #4 was solid. Strome at #5 looks okay, but he didn't have a lights-out year. Zibanejad looks like a good prospect too. Scheifele at #7 ditto.

If you were to redo the draft, I'd say: 1. Nuge. 2. Landeskog. 3. Couturier. 4. Larsson. Can't say much else because the other players have yet to show anything at the NHL level.

Would I take Gagner now over Huberdeau, Strome, Zibanejad or Scheifele? Maybe. At least in Gagner, you know what you have. Would I take Gagner over ONE SEASON of any of these four in their prime? Yes. In fact, I'd take several seasons of Gagner over one season of Nuge in his prime, and Nuge most certainly is a better player than Jordan Staal.
- Maxbone

Yes, with Gagne you know what you have: an undersized centre capable of scoring 18 goals in a season.

If you watched any of the PIT/PHI series you would've seen that weak-on-the-puck forwards were PIT's achilles heal. Adding Hemsky just makes this worse. Players who don't care don't bring teams Stanley Cups.
- 1979AD

Good post

100% of GM's would take Derek Roy over Sam Gagner. Even your GM
- cburgess

I doubt that. I'm sure there are several GMs who would prefer Gagner because his age and skill set. Sam Gagner is only 22 years old. He's been hampered by injury, but still has loads of potential.

Derek Roy is still a very good player but he's 29 and is likely not going to get any better.

GM's of rebuilding teams would likely take Gagner.

One team that has the horses to do a deal for Staal and offer up the kind of resources that might excite the Pens is Florida. They would need to include Gudbranson or Kulikov, a solid player like Versteeg and a second round pick or equivalent prospect.

I doubt that. I'm sure there are several GMs who would prefer Gagner because his age and skill set. Sam Gagner is only 22 years old. He's been hampered by injury, but still has loads of potential.

Derek Roy is still a very good player but he's 29 and is likely not going to get any better.

GM's of rebuilding teams would likely take Gagner.
- Fosco

Gagner is a prime example of a guy that is rushed into the league and will never rebound from it.

I like Pominville alot. However, again, this is a cap thing. He is making 5.3 million and Weber is making 950K. Staal is at 4 million. There would have to be another deal - probably involving someone of Tyler Kennedy's salary.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'll take him I thought I would have to eat Martin's contract

Gagner is absolutely worth the 7th, 8th or 9th pick overall.

Come on. Do math.
- Maxbone

ROFL! Just so stupid it is actually funny.

Bozak had more points than Gagner and Bozak didn't benefit from a 12 points in 2 games or something like that, stretch.

Read that again... and for crying out loud, stop making with the Gagner stupidity.

One team that has the horses to do a deal for Staal and offer up the kind of resources that might excite the Pens is Florida. They would need to include Gudbranson or Kulikov, a solid player like Versteeg and a second round pick or equivalent prospect.
- spatso

Good point - A Gudbranson/Huberdeau package would be tough for the Leafs to top, but JStaal is exactly what the Leafs need. Especially in Carlyle's system they need to be able to control the puck in the opponents' zone and wear them down (remember that Sundin guy).

I doubt that. I'm sure there are several GMs who would prefer Gagner because his age and skill set. Sam Gagner is only 22 years old. He's been hampered by injury, but still has loads of potential.

Derek Roy is still a very good player but he's 29 and is likely not going to get any better.

GM's of rebuilding teams would likely take Gagner.
- Fosco

When there's doubt there's a Calgary

ROFL! Just so stupid it is actually funny.

Bozak had more points than Gagner and Bozak didn't benefit from a 12 points in 2 games or something like that, stretch.

Read that again... and for crying out loud, stop making with the Gagner stupidity.
- GoneFullRetard

I'll never understand all the irrational Sam Gagne love.

ROFL! Just so stupid it is actually funny.

Bozak had more points than Gagner and Bozak didn't benefit from a 12 points in 2 games or something like that, stretch.

Read that again... and for crying out loud, stop making with the Gagner stupidity.
- GoneFullRetard

I believe that Gagner is being promoted as the new Hemsky.

I believe that Gagner is being promoted as the new Hemsky.
- spatso

Apparently if you watched all the Oilers games and not just TSN highlight packages you'd understand just how awesome Hemsky is.

Gagner is a prime example of a guy that is rushed into the league and will never rebound from it.
- cburgess

I became a huge Gagner fan when I saw him in preseason in his rookie year. He looked like an NHL player. He may have developed better if he had been in the AHL for a year, but who knows.

I think injuries, and the fact that he wasn't surrounded by enough talent early on hampered his development.

He may never bounce back, but I think there's still a chance, and would be a great reclamation project if the Oilers are serious about getting rid of him.

I won't guess at his trade value, though. There's a number of factors.

I became a huge Gagner fan when I saw him in preseason in his rookie year. He looked like an NHL player. He may have developed better if he had been in the AHL for a year, but who knows.

I think injuries, and the fact that he wasn't surrounded by enough talent early on hampered his development.

He may never bounce back, but I think there's still a chance, and would be a great reclamation project if the Oilers are serious about getting rid of him.

I won't guess at his trade value, though. There's a number of factors.
- Fosco

How many players go from mediocre to awesome after 4-5 full seasons? Those 2 Sedin bros and...... ?

gillis gets a top Dman? for LUO or Schnieds& ...trade Edler & 2nd rounder for Staal

Apparently if you watched all the Oilers games and not just TSN highlight packages you'd understand just how awesome Hemsky is.
- 1979AD

I guess we missed his 10 whole goals and epic defensive ability by not watching them.

gillis gets a top Dman? for LUO or Schnieds& ...trade Edler & 2nd rounder for Staal
- Canuckfan2006

Is ryan kesler not your jordan staal?

Good point - they could offer a nice package. A Gudbranson/Huberdeau package would be tough for the Leafs to top, but JStaal is exactly what the Leafs need. Especially in Carlyle's system they need to be able to control the puck in the opponents' zone and wear them down (remember that Sundin guy).
- 1979AD

A big man who plays center, good on face offs, kills penalties and can step his game up in the playoffs is a great asset. Staal is a great talent as a 2nd line center. Stanley Cup winners usually have great second line centers. But, everyone needs to remember Staal is a perfect second line guy. He might be a great disappointment if someone tried to get him to play the first line role.

I guess we missed his 10 whole goals and epic defensive ability by not watching them.
- cburgess

Yup - the highlights were to busy showing him floating around the ice trying not to get injured again. If we actually watched the games, we'd see less of that.