Funny thing is Sid was not even in game shape and put up over PPG. Better than any Leaf? Haha
- PensMalkin71

What's funny about that? He's arguably (to Peter Laviolette) the best player in the world.

Highly doubt Staal goes anywhere, especially in the off season. A FAR better option is to experiment (with permanent intention) to have Malkin/Crosby/Staal either rotate playing C/W on the top 2 lines, or to permanently move one of them to the wing (likely Malkin) - where the pens could also use some help. So that would solve the problem nicely For instance,

Kunitz - Crosby - Malkin
Neal - Staal - Kennedy

If Tangradi continues developing he could take over Kennedy's spot, and then we move Kennedy to 3rd line or trade him. We could get a good 4-5-6 D with grit for him. Dupuis could play instead of Kennedy as well, but I like him better on the 3rd line.
- mventres

I wouldn't separate Malkin and Neal after the season they just put up.

No, it isn't.

It's highly debatable whether or not Staal can be a true #1.

I'd rather keep the potential of Gardiner and our pick.
- Atomic Wedgie

As much as I'd like Staal, I agree

I wouldn't separate Malkin and Neal after the season they just put.
- ehabs9

Minor issue: Neal - Staal - Malkin

works too

Yes....congrats....you guys won a lottery and got the best player in the world...

Rocket science I tells ya!
- Pen15

Where have I heard that before???

No, it isn't.

It's highly debatable whether or not Staal can be a true #1.

I'd rather keep the potential of Gardiner and our pick.
- Atomic Wedgie

For his future as a GM, not just with Toronto. I don't think Burke can afford to part with anymore 1st's.

Oh well, as long as we win Cups. You guys haven't won one since '67.
- PensMalkin71

Since when??? Holy $hit..........where the hell have I been?

Minor issue: Neal - Staal - Malkin

works too
- mventres

I'd probably do

Staal - Crosby - Kunitz
Neal - Malkin - Kennedy

Staal for Gretzky. At 54 he'd still be the best third line center in the game.

Talking about original after saying the draft lottery was "fixed". Pot, meet kettle
- cap1681

It's 4:20 and the kettle is hot

Highly doubt Staal goes anywhere, especially in the off season. A FAR better option is to experiment (with permanent intention) to have Malkin/Crosby/Staal either rotate playing C/W on the top 2 lines, or to permanently move one of them to the wing (likely Malkin) - where the pens could also use some help. So that would solve the problem nicely For instance,

Kunitz - Crosby - Malkin
Neal - Staal - Kennedy

If Tangradi continues developing he could take over Kennedy's spot, and then we move Kennedy to 3rd line or trade him. We could get a good 4-5-6 D with grit for him. Dupuis could play instead of Kennedy as well, but I like him better on the 3rd line.
- mventres

Why would you break up Malkin and Neal??? They were the only duo to have real chemistry on the Pens this year (besides Crosby and the team doctor).

Leafs 5th overall pick + Schenn + Kadri for Luongo.
- Pen15

Why would you break up Malkin and Neal??? They were the only duo to have real chemistry on the Pens this year (besides Crosby and the team doctor).
- Phenom

Who's on who's line is unimportant, except for Staal moving up to the top 2 and one of Staal, Malkin or Crosby moving to the wing...It's also fault tolerant in that if one of them goes down with an injury there are still 2 good top centers on the team...just makes WAAAY more sense.

I'd probably do

Staal - Crosby - Kunitz
Neal - Malkin - Kennedy
- ehabs9

Staal - Crosby - Dupuis
Neal - Malkin - Kunitz

Long time reader, decided to finally post.

Thoughts, if Staal is available, you get him. It shouldn't take too much as Staal will be a UFA after this year. I believe a good solid offer would be

Kulemin, Connolly, and Blacker.

Kulemin is a long time friend of Malkin from their Russian hockey days. They played together and had great chemistry. In Kulemin you get a winger for Malkin that will score and is extremely defensive.

Connolly is a salary dump as the Leafs take on Staals salary. Connolly can play good third line minutes and will be off the books at the end of the year.

Blacker is the key to the deal. In Blacker, Pitts gets a solid young defensive Dman to add to their system who should be ready for the NHL this year or next.

Second trade, I would go after Luongo. Great number one goalie with a huge upside.

Trade, Schenn, Armstrong, and 2012 2nd round pick.

Schenn, Van gets a young defensive d with lots of upside if coached.

Armstrong, once again, getting rid of salary, but if healthy, would add grit to the third line. Will be off the books by the end of the year.

The pick is a high second rounder which could pay big dividends. Van has to know they won't get much more than this.

Lineup for next season.

Kessel - J. Staal - Lupul
Kadri - Grabo - Mac
D'Amigo - Bozak - Lombardi
Crabb - Zigomanis - Brown

Phaneuf - Gunner
Liles - Holzer
Gardiner - Franson

Luongo
Reimer

Subs : Rosehill,

Get rid of Komisarek and Steckel to whoever will take them. Komi will go to a cap floor team as his hit is 4.5 but will be making 3.5.

Staal - Crosby - Dupuis
Neal - Malkin - Kunitz
- Phenom

Now if they do that and somehow get a grittier 3rd line then Pens win at least 4 cups before those guys call it quits. And count on them having at least 6 top 25 scorers with 4 in the top 10! They need to shore up the defense. Bylsma needs to make Martin and Michalek to play better defensively and then go get another shutdown centre to play on the 3rd line.

Long time reader, decided to finally post.

Thoughts, if Staal is available, you get him. It shouldn't take too much as Staal will be a UFA after this year. I believe a good solid offer would be

Kulemin, Connolly, and Blacker.

Kulemin is a long time friend of Malkin from their Russian hockey days. They played together and had great chemistry. In Kulemin you get a winger for Malkin that will score and is extremely defensive.

Connolly is a salary dump as the Leafs take on Staals salary. Connolly can play good third line minutes and will be off the books at the end of the year.

Blacker is the key to the deal. In Blacker, Pitts gets a solid young defensive Dman to add to their system who should be ready for the NHL this year or next.

Second trade, I would go after Luongo. Great number one goalie with a huge upside.

Trade, Schenn, Armstrong, and 2012 2nd round pick.

Schenn, Van gets a young defensive d with lots of upside if coached.

Armstrong, once again, getting rid of salary, but if healthy, would add grit to the third line. Will be off the books by the end of the year.

The pick is a high second rounder which could pay big dividends. Van has to know they won't get much more than this.

Lineup for next season.

Kessel - J. Staal - Lupul
Kadri - Grabo - Mac
D'Amigo - Bozak - Lombardi
Crabb - Zigomanis - Brown

Phaneuf - Gunner
Liles - Holzer
Gardiner - Franson

Luongo
Reimer

Subs : Rosehill,

Get rid of Komisarek and Steckel to whoever will take them. Komi will go to a cap floor team as his hit is 4.5 but will be making 3.5.
- ILoveLamp

No offense, but you can't just ship out garbage and get gold in return...at least in the Staal case.

1) Do the pens actually need any of: Kulemin, Connolly, and Blacker??? NOPE.

2) Does Van need: Schenn, Armstrong, and 2012 2nd round pick. This could work...

is it draft day yet?

1st, 2nd and sekera and schiestel for staal

Long time reader, decided to finally post.

Thoughts, if Staal is available, you get him. It shouldn't take too much as Staal will be a UFA after this year. I believe a good solid offer would be

Kulemin, Connolly, and Blacker.

Kulemin is a long time friend of Malkin from their Russian hockey days. They played together and had great chemistry. In Kulemin you get a winger for Malkin that will score and is extremely defensive.

Connolly is a salary dump as the Leafs take on Staals salary. Connolly can play good third line minutes and will be off the books at the end of the year.

Blacker is the key to the deal. In Blacker, Pitts gets a solid young defensive Dman to add to their system who should be ready for the NHL this year or next.

Second trade, I would go after Luongo. Great number one goalie with a huge upside.

Trade, Schenn, Armstrong, and 2012 2nd round pick.

Schenn, Van gets a young defensive d with lots of upside if coached.

Armstrong, once again, getting rid of salary, but if healthy, would add grit to the third line. Will be off the books by the end of the year.

The pick is a high second rounder which could pay big dividends. Van has to know they won't get much more than this.

Lineup for next season.

Kessel - J. Staal - Lupul
Kadri - Grabo - Mac
D'Amigo - Bozak - Lombardi
Crabb - Zigomanis - Brown

Phaneuf - Gunner
Liles - Holzer
Gardiner - Franson

Luongo
Reimer

Subs : Rosehill,

Get rid of Komisarek and Steckel to whoever will take them. Komi will go to a cap floor team as his hit is 4.5 but will be making 3.5.
- ILoveLamp

Imagine we gt Shultz and pay him up with Gardiner!

Now if they do that and somehow get a grittier 3rd line then Pens win at least 4 cups before those guys call it quits. And count on them having at least 6 top 25 scorers with 4 in the top 10! They need to shore up the defense. Bylsma needs to make Martin and Michalek to play better defensively and then go get another shutdown centre to play on the 3rd line.
- TML4Life85

Agreed. 100%. The Pens have no reason to drastically alter anything about their roster. Get Staal in a top 6 role and fill in a 3rd liner, trade out Martin to get some cap room, maybe Kennedy too and bring in a nice d-man like Doug Murray.

Long time reader, decided to finally post.

Thoughts, if Staal is available, you get him. It shouldn't take too much as Staal will be a UFA after this year. I believe a good solid offer would be

Kulemin, Connolly, and Blacker.

Kulemin is a long time friend of Malkin from their Russian hockey days. They played together and had great chemistry. In Kulemin you get a winger for Malkin that will score and is extremely defensive.

Connolly is a salary dump as the Leafs take on Staals salary. Connolly can play good third line minutes and will be off the books at the end of the year.

Blacker is the key to the deal. In Blacker, Pitts gets a solid young defensive Dman to add to their system who should be ready for the NHL this year or next.

Second trade, I would go after Luongo. Great number one goalie with a huge upside.

Trade, Schenn, Armstrong, and 2012 2nd round pick.

Schenn, Van gets a young defensive d with lots of upside if coached.

Armstrong, once again, getting rid of salary, but if healthy, would add grit to the third line. Will be off the books by the end of the year.

The pick is a high second rounder which could pay big dividends. Van has to know they won't get much more than this.

Lineup for next season.

Kessel - J. Staal - Lupul
Kadri - Grabo - Mac
D'Amigo - Bozak - Lombardi
Crabb - Zigomanis - Brown

Phaneuf - Gunner
Liles - Holzer
Gardiner - Franson

Luongo
Reimer

Subs : Rosehill,

Get rid of Komisarek and Steckel to whoever will take them. Komi will go to a cap floor team as his hit is 4.5 but will be making 3.5.
- ILoveLamp

What about Parise and Nash? i thought they were going to Tronto aswell

Now if they do that and somehow get a grittier 3rd line then Pens win at least 4 cups before those guys call it quits. And count on them having at least 6 top 25 scorers with 4 in the top 10! They need to shore up the defense. Bylsma needs to make Martin and Michalek to play better defensively and then go get another shutdown centre to play on the 3rd line.
- TML4Life85

Agreed. What happened to Fleury these playoffs was out of left field. He's way better than what he showed vs Philly. The defense was out of sync the whole series. As long as they can manage all those contracts and somehow replace Martin with a younger cheaper 3rd pairing defensive d-man, they should be competitive for years to come, permitting health of course.

No offense, but you can't just ship out garbage and get gold in return...at least in the Staal case.

1) Do the pens actually need any of: Kulemin, Connolly, and Blacker??? NOPE.

2) Does Van need: Schenn, Armstrong, and 2012 2nd round pick. This could work...
- mventres

1) Yes, they do. Staal topped out at 50 points so far in his career. Kulemin tops out at 57. Make the top two lines on Pitts
Neal - Crosby - Kunitz
Kulemin - Malkin - Dupuis

If Malkin and Kuli get their Russian magic going, Kulemin becomes a 30 goal scorer or more, and adds defensive reliability on the second line.

Connolly is a stop gap, but once again adds 45-60 points as a third line centre essentially replacing Staal's output on the third line. He's also a PK specialist replacing Staal there.

So far Staal's 50 point production, Pitts receives 50 in Connolly and Kulemin is a bonus.

Add in the fact that Pitts has no defensive depth, and now you have Blacker. a highly touted Defensive D ready to step in.

1) Yes, they do. Staal topped out at 50 points so far in his career. Kulemin tops out at 57. Make the top two lines on Pitts
Neal - Crosby - Kunitz
Kulemin - Malkin - Dupuis

If Malkin and Kuli get their Russian magic going, Kulemin becomes a 30 goal scorer or more, and adds defensive reliability on the second line.

Connolly is a stop gap, but once again adds 45-60 points as a third line centre essentially replacing Staal's output on the third line. He's also a PK specialist replacing Staal there.

So far Staal's 50 point production, Pitts receives 50 in Connolly and Kulemin is a bonus.

Add in the fact that Pitts has no defensive depth, and now you have Blacker. a highly touted Defensive D ready to step in.
- ILoveLamp

There will be a better offer for Staal then that.

1) Yes, they do. Staal topped out at 50 points so far in his career. Kulemin tops out at 57. Make the top two lines on Pitts
Neal - Crosby - Kunitz
Kulemin - Malkin - Dupuis

If Malkin and Kuli get their Russian magic going, Kulemin becomes a 30 goal scorer or more, and adds defensive reliability on the second line.

Connolly is a stop gap, but once again adds 45-60 points as a third line centre essentially replacing Staal's output on the third line. He's also a PK specialist replacing Staal there.

So far Staal's 50 point production, Pitts receives 50 in Connolly and Kulemin is a bonus.

Add in the fact that Pitts has no defensive depth, and now you have Blacker. a highly touted Defensive D ready to step in.
- ILoveLamp

Kulemin is mediocre, and isn't the type of player the pens need. They need a bigger guy with skill who can play D too..ie Staal (who was nearly a pt/game this year btw).

Connolly is pure garbage and there is absolutely no argument you can make why the pens would take him. He's the antithesis of what the pens need!

Blacker: sure, he's a good prospect, but the pens are LOADED with D prospects...at least 3-4 are NHL ready, why do they want Blacker? No Sense.

I doubt the leafs have what the pens would need in return if they HAD to trade staal (which I don't think they have to do).