John Toperzer: Speculating Jordan Staal's Summer of '12 The Penguins are perceived as top heavy at center heading into restricted free agency seasons of Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby

Dupuis has a higher rating than James "$30 million" Neal.

EEK!

Assuming Staal signs an extension with Edmonton and we get the #1 pick (the pot will have to be sweetened) and that pick is a keeper, the Penguins are merely delaying their salary bump by 2 years.

Rookie will have 3 relatively cheap years. Staal has 1 more year at at good price.

I think that everyone's going to have to wait until after the lockout to determine what to do, so I think there shouldn't be any rush in trading Staal or trading FOR him.

$6-8M per year? Hard to say. Staal is great player. Definitely can step up to a top 6 role. He has the potential, but there isn't much on paper shows he has surpassed the 50 point mark. This season if he wasn't injured, he could be well on his way. Neal dished out 80+ points and receives a hefty alittle over $5M per year. I would suggest $5-6M max per year on a 3-5 year, and then by the time he reaches 26-28, another 3-5 year term at $6-8M makes sense.

Low from the Oilers side?!? For real? Staal is a heck of a player to be sure but to draft a Yakupov who would automatically fit in nicely with either Crosby or Malkin would be a no-brainer for Shero. Yakupov projects to 18g 22a for 40pts as a rookie according to Gabe Desjardins' math at behind the net.

Traditionally 1st overall picks have out-performed their projections so you could reasonably expect close to 25g 30a for 55pts as a rookie. Those kind of numbers would already exceed what Staal has been able to put up so far. Not to mention Yakupov's high-end potential. Yakupov has put up similar numbers to Stamkos.

Yakupov and Staal are very different in terms of style and what they bring to a club. However it's much harder to find players of Yakupov's ability and potential then it is to find a Jordan Staal.

If anything Pittsburgh would need to add to the pot to entice Edmonton into dealing the 1st overall pick. Especially considering Staal has only one year remaining on his contract.

Yakupov's cap hit will automatically come in close to $4 million with all of the rookie bonuses likely to be included in his contract.

$6-8M per year? Hard to say. Staal is great player. Definitely can step up to a top 6 role. He has the potential, but there isn't much on paper shows he has surpassed the 50 point mark. This season if he wasn't injured, he could be well on his way. Neal dished out 80+ points and receives a hefty alittle over $5M per year. I would suggest $5-6M max per year on a 3-5 year, and then by the time he reaches 26-28, another 3-5 year term at $6-8M makes sense.
- deks1

I don't see him making that much.

I don't see him making that much.
- canadianpenfan

Me neither. I would say Andrew Ladd is a good comparable and he comes in at a cap hit of $4.4 million which is about right for Staal. Somewhere between $4 and $5 million.

Me neither. I would say Andrew Ladd is a good comparable and he comes in at a cap hit of $4.4 million which is about right for Staal. Somewhere between $4 and $5 million.
- wolfie

I said 5 yesterday. If he wants anything over 5.5 they have to trade him.

I said 5 yesterday. If he wants anything over 5.5 they have to trade him.
- canadianpenfan

And like I suggest, Staal's next contract should be around $5-6M. Over $6M, I don't see EDM would be even interested as they have to consider the kids in the very near future.
I can't see Staal getting much more than the 1st overall pick from EDM with just one year left. Maybe 1st pick and a prospect. Then EDM would maybe trade Gagner for something else.

My Staal comp is Patrick Sharp. 5.5 to 6. I still dont think he's moved or signed until a new CBA is in place. All this speculation on trade scenarios is bs.

And like I suggest, Staal's next contract should be around $5-6M. Over $6M, I don't see EDM would be even interested as they have to consider the kids in the very near future.
I can't see Staal getting much more than the 1st overall pick from EDM with just one year left. Maybe 1st pick and a prospect. Then EDM would maybe trade Gagner for something else.
- deks1

I wouldn't trade the first overall for him

And like I suggest, Staal's next contract should be around $5-6M. Over $6M, I don't see EDM would be even interested as they have to consider the kids in the very near future.
I can't see Staal getting much more than the 1st overall pick from EDM with just one year left. Maybe 1st pick and a prospect. Then EDM would maybe trade Gagner for something else.
- deks1

You're not getting the 1st overall and a prospect from Edm. It would be Staal plus for the 1st overall.

My Staal comp is Patrick Sharp. 5.5 to 6. I still dont think he's moved or signed until a new CBA is in place. All this speculation on trade scenarios is bs.
- Deadstar

Sharp has way more offense than Stall. Not even close really.

Low from the Oilers side?!? For real? Staal is a heck of a player to be sure but to draft a Yakupov who would automatically fit in nicely with either Crosby or Malkin would be a no-brainer for Shero. Yakupov projects to 18g 22a for 40pts as a rookie according to Gabe Desjardins' math at behind the net.

Traditionally 1st overall picks have out-performed their projections so you could reasonably expect close to 25g 30a for 55pts as a rookie. Those kind of numbers would already exceed what Staal has been able to put up so far. Not to mention Yakupov's high-end potential. Yakupov has put up similar numbers to Stamkos.

Yakupov and Staal are very different in terms of style and what they bring to a club. However it's much harder to find players of Yakupov's ability and potential then it is to find a Jordan Staal.

If anything Pittsburgh would need to add to the pot to entice Edmonton into dealing the 1st overall pick. Especially considering Staal has only one year remaining on his contract.
- wolfie

I wouldn't trade Yakupov straight up for Staal, I just don't think Stall is that good where as Yakupov has the potential of being a much better player overall. Yeah, Staal is a good defensive forward, Blah, Blah, Blah. Hes a good second line center and a very good third line center, I wouldn't trade Yakupov for that. I'll take a chance on potential rather than taking a chance on Staal fitting into a top 6 role.

Low from the Oilers side?!? For real? Staal is a heck of a player to be sure but to draft a Yakupov who would automatically fit in nicely with either Crosby or Malkin would be a no-brainer for Shero. Yakupov projects to 18g 22a for 40pts as a rookie according to Gabe Desjardins' math at behind the net.

Traditionally 1st overall picks have out-performed their projections so you could reasonably expect close to 25g 30a for 55pts as a rookie. Those kind of numbers would already exceed what Staal has been able to put up so far. Not to mention Yakupov's high-end potential. Yakupov has put up similar numbers to Stamkos.

Yakupov and Staal are very different in terms of style and what they bring to a club. However it's much harder to find players of Yakupov's ability and potential then it is to find a Jordan Staal.

If anything Pittsburgh would need to add to the pot to entice Edmonton into dealing the 1st overall pick. Especially considering Staal has only one year remaining on his contract.
- wolfie

See Scott Gomez

Sharp has way more offense than Stall. Not even close really.
- wolfie

It is when you factor in age....

Seriously? Stall???? There are how many STAAL brothers playing in the NHL and you still can't spell STAAL. EVEN IF THERE ARE 2 BROs PLAYING IN YOUR DIVISION?!

I said 5 yesterday. If he wants anything over 5.5 they have to trade him.
- canadianpenfan

ithink that is the reality of the situation. 5 would be a good signing. 5.5 is where the team has to draw a line. pushing 6 and up, as tough as it is he would have to be moved

I don't see him making that much.
- canadianpenfan

He's already making $4 million. He's gonna get a bump. Maybe it's under $6 million if he signs with the intent to stay in Pittsburgh. I think he gets over $6 million on the open market, given what other guys have gotten. Sounds like we have the making of a poll question.

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............

You're not getting the 1st overall and a prospect from Edm. It would be Staal plus for the 1st overall.
- wolfie

If its Staal plus, the plus won't have the last name Morrow, Despres, Harrington, or Bennett. Only fools believe the Pens should trade one of the best two-way forwards in the game along with a legit prospect for a guy that COULD do well.

If its Staal plus, the plus won't have the last name Morrow, Despres, Harrington, or Bennett. Only fools believe the Pens should trade one of the best two-way forwards in the game along with a legit prospect for a guy that COULD do well.
- Oneonta Penguin

yeah but didnt you know? yakupov is guaranteed to be the next datsyuk-federov-malkin all rolled into one. staal is barely more than a glorified rich peverley

He's already making $4 million. He's gonna get a bump. Maybe it's under $6 million if he signs with the intent to stay in Pittsburgh. I think he gets over $6 million on the open market, given what other guys have gotten. Sounds like we have the making of a poll question.
- the-mitch-wilsons

I don't know John, for the right team with alot of cap room I would agree. But if I'm a team looking to add a FA and I have a choice between Parise at 7 or Staal at 6 my choice is easy. As I said the other day, I think they can lock him up long term around Neal money if he's assured a spot in the top 6. But I will say again, until we see what happens with the new CBA and Crosby this is pointless to speculate about.

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

Bills might finish ahead of the Steelers next year. Ravens and Bengals are legit competition and we get the NFC West this year.