Yeah it is definitely a toss up but I am hoping that he wasn't looking sharp this year because of the knee. Even Malkin was slow and hesitant when he came back from a similar injury. This is me being optimistic. ha

I think Jeffery started to really show something last year before the injury but I could be wrong.
- kgrpitt

It would be really nice if he found a groove. Here is to hoping.

and we all know dupes will be paired up with sid if we dont pick up a top 6 rw

if staal gets traded a top 6 scoring winger needs to be coming back

need another top 9 winger during free agency

need to do something about the D, pens have too many and the 2 highest paid arent worth it and atleast one needs moved, cough cough martin cough
- nh4442

I still can't see how 10-11 Martin and Z were a great shutdown pair then this year . If we can't trade them it isn't a guarantee they play as bad as they did this year.

Tangradi showed up in the 2 games in the playoffs so I hope we resign him for the same price and give him a shot. We are lacking top 9 guys so maybe he will get a chance to play with Neal Malkin? Rather him get a "try out" with them then have to watch TK with them.

It would be really nice if he found a groove. Here is to hoping.
- Gunner Staal

is tangradi being traded or will they try him with sid?

I still can't see how 10-11 Martin and Z were a great shutdown pair then this year . If we can't trade them it isn't a guarantee they play as bad as they did this year.

Tangradi showed up in the 2 games in the playoffs so I hope we resign him for the same price and give him a shot. We are lacking top 9 guys so maybe he will get a chance to play with Neal Malkin? Rather him get a "try out" with them then have to watch TK with them.
- kgrpitt

my friend just texted me and said "so malkin played wing in the worlds and got 11 goals and 19 points in 10 games... so why can't he play wing for the pens"

I told him sid and geno are puck hogs and they cant be on the same line

my friend just texted me and said "so malkin played wing in the worlds and got 11 goals and 19 points in 10 games... so why can't he play wing for the pens"

I told him sid and geno are puck hogs and they cant be on the same line
- nh4442

If the NHL had Olympic size sheet of ice Malkin could play any forward position because he would have time and space to get his motor running. The problem in the NHL is that it is tougher for him to build up his speed when starting so high up towards the blue line and the opposing defensemen are able to utilize proper gap control on him more easily.

I think eventually the NHL needs to consider using a bigger ice surface, half way between the current size and Olympic size.

If the NHL had Olympic size sheet of ice Malkin could play any forward position because he would have time and space to get his motor running. The problem in the NHL is that it is tougher for him to build up his speed when starting so high up towards the blue line and the opposing defensemen are able to utilize proper gap control on him more easily.
- Gunner Staal

enter in what i like to call " the russian circle".

"the russian circle"- n when a russian player takes the puck into their own zone and starts doing circles to try to gain enough speed to try to go through everyone on the opposing team.

40% of the time the player gets trapped in their end, loses puck and the opposing team scores

If the NHL had Olympic size sheet of ice Malkin could play any forward position because he would have time and space to get his motor running. The problem in the NHL is that it is tougher for him to build up his speed when starting so high up towards the blue line and the opposing defensemen are able to utilize proper gap control on him more easily.

I think eventually the NHL needs to consider using a bigger ice surface, half way between the current size and Olympic size.
- Gunner Staal

Between the cost to actually do it in all of the rinks, and the lost revenue in those "prime" seats, it would be an massive financial undertaking though.

Between the cost to actually do it in all of the rinks, and the lost revenue in those "prime" seats, it would be an massive financial undertaking though.
- rival22

Finances are going to be the major hurdle in that proposal for sure. I think making the surface bigger is close to being necessary for the on ice product.

just looking at updated draft rankings... there seems to be a lot of D, i feel teams need more depth at D. The pens might be able to steal some players even if staal doesnt get traded for a top 10 pick. i still feel martin can command a high 2nd or low 3rd rd pick, we have cbj's 4th pick... and we have a lot of players that can be thrown into trades to help get better picks or other players..

my question is if trades happen would you want a player in return or a pick?

Finances are going to be the major hurdle in that proposal for sure. I think making the surface bigger is close to being necessary for the on ice product.
- Gunner Staal

I think this would be a fantastic move if possible.

Staal isn't getting traded to Winnipeg. He has one year left on his deal, do you honestly think that he'd re-sign long term in Winnipeg? They won't give up a great young player like Kane for a guy that they may only have for one season.
- rival22

It's not the Thrashers anymore. The Jets have a good fan base in Canada and I don't think they have a terrible core of players. Wish we could take Kane/Little from them for Staal/Lovejoy/Tangradi and a pick.

Chris Stewart would be awessome for Kennedy+Pick+D-man Prospect..

Kane - Crosby - Stewart
Kunitz - Malkin - Neal
Cooke - Little - Dupuis

talking about a revamped 1st line..

lol i think we had this debate before, i think if he sees 3rd min time, he might be able to up his game, plus he doesnt need to be a 30 goal scorer but he can be a shut down role player
- nh4442

I know lol...

But he's 27 though, and has never out up any sort of scoring numbers at any level, besides his junior year at northeastern. Not saying he doesn't have a role on this team, but based on his past, I think he's pretty much at his offensive ceiling.

Finances are going to be the major hurdle in that proposal for sure. I think making the surface bigger is close to being necessary for the on ice product.
- Gunner Staal

I agree... it would help a lot I think.

On a side note, It would be interesting to see the trickle down effect. You gotta figure the AHL would at some point follow suit, and with some amateur/high school/college games played in some NHL venues (and more in AHL venues), do they eventually move along to a wider surface too?

It's not the Thrashers anymore. The Jets have a good fan base in Canada and I don't think they have a terrible core of players. Wish we could take Kane/Little from them for Staal/Lovejoy/Tangradi and a pick.

Chris Stewart would be awessome for Kennedy+Pick+D-man Prospect..

Kane - Crosby - Stewart
Kunitz - Malkin - Neal
Cooke - Little - Dupuis

talking about a revamped 1st line..
- Orpik44

I agree, but on the surface, there is nothing really too enticing for Staal to stay there as a UFA though. They don't have the deepest pockets, and when considered against the other rumored landing spots for Staal (like Carolina and Toronto), he might be more tempted to go to free agency to see what is out there.

I agree, but on the surface, there is nothing really too enticing for Staal to stay there as a UFA though. They don't have the deepest pockets, and when considered against the other rumored landing spots for Staal (like Carolina and Toronto), he might be more tempted to go to free agency to see what is out there.
- rival22

i just dont want anyone from carolina for staal....

id rather trade with edm or minny... pipe dreams i know bc next yr staal is gone to carolina unless we trade with a decent team, but none have good draft picks...

i also believe a trade wont just involve staal. there are enough guys to be thrown in which means more of a retun....

If the NHL had Olympic size sheet of ice Malkin could play any forward position because he would have time and space to get his motor running. The problem in the NHL is that it is tougher for him to build up his speed when starting so high up towards the blue line and the opposing defensemen are able to utilize proper gap control on him more easily.

I think eventually the NHL needs to consider using a bigger ice surface, half way between the current size and Olympic size.
- Gunner Staal

I've always been a supporter of the O size rink. I think you can argue that it would help reduce concussions. I was thinking about what you said earlier about how the Pens have had so many top players over the past 30 yrs.....Looking at all the scoring titles we have seen, I think we are short on cups and finals appearances over that span given the talent level this team has seen.

i just dont want anyone from carolina for staal....

id rather trade with edm or minny... pipe dreams i know bc next yr staal is gone to carolina unless we trade with a decent team, but none have good draft picks...

i also believe a trade wont just involve staal. there are enough guys to be thrown in which means more of a retun....
- nh4442

I could deal with some of the return from Carolina... They have some players I'd like.

But yeah, you just have to think of it from the opposing team's view. They need to be pretty damn sure that Staal will want to sign an extension there before offering anything really of value up. Otherwise, he's basically a one year rental, so unless you are a Cup contender next season, he's not really going to do much for you.

I've always been a supporter of the O size rink. I think you can argue that it would help reduce concussions. I was thinking about what you said earlier about how the Pens have had so many top players over the past 30 yrs.....Looking at all the scoring titles we have seen, I think we are short on cups and finals appearances over that span given the talent level this team has seen.
- sammy87

I've heard that argument, and I don't really see it... If anything, it could have the reverse effect, like the obstruction crackdown did. You'd have a faster game, with even more higher speed collisions.

I've always been a supporter of the O size rink. I think you can argue that it would help reduce concussions. I was thinking about what you said earlier about how the Pens have had so many top players over the past 30 yrs.....Looking at all the scoring titles we have seen, I think we are short on cups and finals appearances over that span given the talent level this team has seen.
- sammy87

Its not easy to win a Cup. Since Mario entered the league and we have had the luxury of having players like Mario, Jagr, Crosby, and Malkin the Penguins are actually amongst the most successful teams.

Here are the multiple Cup winners since 1984:

Oilers 5
Red Wings 4
Penguins 3
Devils 3
Montreal 2
Colorado 2

I've heard that argument, and I don't really see it... If anything, it could have the reverse effect, like the obstruction crackdown did. You'd have a faster game, with even more higher speed collisions.
- rival22

I want it for game flow reasons. Concussions are going to happen in a contact sport, it sucks, but its reality.

I could deal with some of the return from Carolina... They have some players I'd like.

But yeah, you just have to think of it from the opposing team's view. They need to be pretty damn sure that Staal will want to sign an extension there before offering anything really of value up. Otherwise, he's basically a one year rental, so unless you are a Cup contender next season, he's not really going to do much for you.
- rival22

i feel we need to get a decent pick and a top 6 winger for staal... carolina really doesnt have that except for a top 10 pick... i feel we have guys that can fill a 3rd line center role (not trying to do what staal did with pts and pk)

if we trade staal, I want the world!! i dont know what I would do if parise doesnt re-up with njd and we get rid of staal, martin and even Z and have money to go after him... i think he would love to come here.. he plays pk and would look great with sid - pipe dream i know but theres always a possibility

I've heard that argument, and I don't really see it... If anything, it could have the reverse effect, like the obstruction crackdown did. You'd have a faster game, with even more higher speed collisions.
- rival22

More space to move, make plays, less traffic to worry about, the idea would be the bigger surface area more area to defend, less traffic=less hits, or atleast open ice hits.

I'd like to know hwo the NFL would do on a CFL size field, I think its longer winder and with 10 players.

Face it, players in all sports today are bigger, stronger, faster. The injuries will come, its what they get paid big bucks for. But when all the best players are practicaly dead, noone will watch.

i feel we need to get a decent pick and a top 6 winger for staal... carolina really doesnt have that except for a top 10 pick... i feel we have guys that can fill a 3rd line center role (not trying to do what staal did with pts and pk)

if we trade staal, I want the world!! i dont know what I would do if parise doesnt re-up with njd and we get rid of staal, martin and even Z and have money to go after him... i think he would love to come here.. he plays pk and would look great with sid - pipe dream i know but theres always a possibility
- nh4442

If we trade Staal, I want... well... Jordan Staal lol.

I don't want to move him at all, unless it's pretty certain that he won't sign an extension here.

More space to move, make plays, less traffic to worry about, the idea would be the bigger surface area more area to defend, less traffic=less hits, or atleast open ice hits.

I'd like to know hwo the NFL would do on a CFL size field, I think its longer winder and with 10 players.

Face it, players in all sports today are bigger, stronger, faster. The injuries will come, its what they get paid big bucks for. But when all the best players are practicaly dead, noone will watch.
- sammy87

I guess, but the high traffic areas will still be the high traffic areas.

i feel we need to get a decent pick and a top 6 winger for staal... carolina really doesnt have that except for a top 10 pick... i feel we have guys that can fill a 3rd line center role (not trying to do what staal did with pts and pk)

if we trade staal, I want the world!! i dont know what I would do if parise doesnt re-up with njd and we get rid of staal, martin and even Z and have money to go after him... i think he would love to come here.. he plays pk and would look great with sid - pipe dream i know but theres always a possibility
- nh4442

I think with Staal only having 1 yr left it will be hard to get market value for him. Who knows what he wants too. He already has a cup so he may just want to cash out and be one of the top 2 centers. (I would). At the same time it seems Crosby and Malkin are better when the other is out. (I dont remember was Malkin around when Crosby was on fire last yr?) Either way the cap is restricting the Pens from keeping these guys and to have a solid team up and down changes need to be made. Espicially with injuries, if 1 of the top 3 go down it really hurts our offense. Spread the wealth.