Haha im not that young, look at my avatar for gods sake haha I watched every single goal of the 91'-92' Cup run. MAF has not been good for the last 5 years and I wont say that he has. However he still can be the player he once was.

Every goalie gets hung out to dry, which reminds me of the fact that there is not a goalie in the league as good at stopping breakaways as Flower. Not a single one.

Would you agree at all that he looks different this year? Bigger in his net? Maybe a bit farther back in the paint? Looks more precise and sure of his angles? Because I have.
- nbartley9

MAF is probably the most athletic goalie in the league. His issue is consistency. He can sometimes have trouble putting the past behind him, and can get off his game. But when he's locked in, he's a top flight goalie. He's been much better the last 2 years aside from Game 4 vs. Columbus.

What do you all think the Caps can get for Mike Green?
- Johnny Wrath

I don't think the Caps are going to move him.

Wow. Just wow.
Aside from on-ice reasons, trading Crosby would be unspeakable from a PR standpoint. The bulk of the fanbase would feel betrayed.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, that's are much bigger implications to trading Crosby than the on ice product.

Well then you can figure out the magical way to have more available cash to play adequate bottom 6 forwards.
- sammy87

Id rather leave it up the the real GM to figure out while I complain about our lack of forward depth. I know my role.

Yeah, that's are much bigger implications to trading Crosby than the on ice product.
- rival22

Just to play Devil's Advocate, what do you think would happen if Crosby had a Patrick Roy-esque falling out and publicly demanded a trade to the Flyers? Would they just sit him forever?

Id rather leave it up the the real GM to figure out while I complain about our lack of forward depth. I know my role.
- thickman1178

This is quite possibly the most truthful thing ever said on this site.

Haha im not that young, look at my avatar for gods sake haha I watched every single goal of the 91'-92' Cup run. MAF has not been good for the last 5 years and I wont say that he has. However he still can be the player he once was.

Every goalie gets hung out to dry, which reminds me of the fact that there is not a goalie in the league as good at stopping breakaways as Flower. Not a single one.

Would you agree at all that he looks different this year? Bigger in his net? Maybe a bit farther back in the paint? Looks more precise and sure of his angles? Because I have.
- nbartley9

I guess to me your probably still a kid since I watched the Hornets play at Duquesne Gardens in the 50"s. Had full season tickets from 85-95 the last time I lived in my home town.

I had high hopes for the guy when he shut out Nashville and Montreal on the road - so yes I do agree that he started out different but lately when they really needed him to carry the team the response has not been great. Again I am not blaming him for all the teams troubles but I don't believe he has done anything to bail them out either.

Here's a stat without charts: Last year in road games against playoff teams he was 6-9 with 3 wins on shootouts (as you said he has been good in shootouts/breakaways). Unfortunately there are no shootouts in the playoffs. In his other 3 wins the Pens averaged 4 goals - most goalies win games when there team scores 4. Throw in the playoffs Columbus/Rangers - if you bet the other team on the "Puck Line" your record against Fleury would be something like 24-4!!

I know we differ in opinion on this guy - you think he is world class - I think the Pens will never win another cup with him in goal no matter who they get in a trade.

What do you all think the Caps can get for Mike Green?
- Johnny Wrath

The way he is working the power play again, they won't trade him.

Has anyone who is a proponent of trading Malkin actually been watching the past 1.5 seasons? Malkin has been far and away the penguins most consistent and dangerous player, while Crosby, for whatever reason, seems much less so and has been suffering from declining production. I don't want to trade either, but given that, plus with Crosby's concussion history, if forced to choose between the 2, its a no brainer in my mind that I would send 87 packing.
- Emperor Filonius

One assist in last five, minus seven in the last 30 days. Lower body injury and possibly should've gotten the wrist surgery...perhaps. I guess everyone will find out a month after the season ends.

Just to play Devil's Advocate, what do you think would happen if Crosby had a Patrick Roy-esque falling out and publicly demanded a trade to the Flyers? Would they just sit him forever?
- jmatchett383

It would be interesting, but I just can't imagine Mr. Vanilla saying anything to rock any boat, anywhere. Roy was always a little bit nuts lol.

But Crosby going that route or the Jagr "Dying Alive" approach, would give the team cover to move him. Trade him to the Flyers though?

Just to play Devil's Advocate, what do you think would happen if Crosby had a Patrick Roy-esque falling out and publicly demanded a trade to the Flyers? Would they just sit him forever?
- jmatchett383

Yes. He could possibly be the biggest villain in the history of Pittsburgh sports. Hell, people are still carrying the Marian Hossa cross.

For all the MAF haters, name a goalie as good that the Pens could go out and get today or via FA and how would you move MAF?

71 has been better this year than 87, but to say 87 has a decline in production just isn't true. He has the same PPG avg as Vorachek and 2 big games away from the pt lead.

Id rather leave it up the the real GM to figure out while I complain about our lack of forward depth. I know my role.
- thickman1178

Well, this will bring everyone down a peg!

Second in one's division really does indicate a competitive team.

I just see very few to no scenarios where trading Malkin makes this a better team. This is especially true if as many on here like to point out Crosby is approaching the decline of his career.

Also, all of this trade talk assumes that Malkin waives his no-trade clause. (I am assuming he has one, but can not remember the specifics of his contract)
- Tiogadog

When I say competitive, I mean competing for a Cup. We are not a Cup competitive team in this form. We won't be either under what we have.

Yes. He could possibly be the biggest villain in the history of Pittsburgh sports. Hell, people are still carrying the Marian Hossa cross.
- Johnny Wrath

I don't get the Hossa hate.
He came over in a trade (with Dupuis) as a rental and played amazingly (OT series winner versus NYR, anyone).
Then, knowing he was a rental, he signed with Detroit who the Penguins beat in the SCF.

I don't get why that's so bad.

Just to play Devil's Advocate, what do you think would happen if Crosby had a Patrick Roy-esque falling out and publicly demanded a trade to the Flyers? Would they just sit him forever?
- jmatchett383

its a shame philly fans wouldnt want him. dudes a total wussy.

For all the MAF haters, name a goalie as good that the Pens could go out and get today or via FA and how would you move MAF?

71 has been better this year than 87, but to say 87 has a decline in production just isn't true. He has the same PPG avg as Vorachek and 2 big games away from the pt lead.
- sammy87

Nabokov is on waivers. I have more faith in Nabokov winning a home game against the Flyers than MAF.

The time to move on from MAF was in the last years of his old contract. Pittsburgh should have traded for either Bernier or Schneider. Or sign Miller if they're still thinking that they could compete in the playoffs.

its a shame philly fans wouldnt want him. dudes a total wussy.
- stayinthefnnet

It's sad that some Flyers fans have deluded themselves to thinking they wouldn't run out and buy his jersey were he a Flyer.

Nabokov is on waivers. I have more faith in Nabokov winning a home game against the Flyers than MAF.

The time to move on from MAF was in the last years of his old contract. Pittsburgh should have traded for either Bernier or Schneider. Or sign Miller if they're still thinking that they could compete in the playoffs.
- Johnny Wrath

You think the Flyers will stand in the Penguins path to a Cup this year? Or next year?

Start a rebuild with a 1C, 1D, 1G, not with Max super-duper rat Pacioretty and a RW who is probably as valuable as one of the 2 picks.
- Johnny Wrath

Dumb idea. You don't need to gut it and that is what you would be doing. When you trade a Malkin, you better be getting two quality forwards back for starters.

I don't get the Hossa hate.
He came over in a trade (with Dupuis) as a rental and played amazingly (OT series winner versus NYR, anyone).
Then, knowing he was a rental, he signed with Detroit who the Penguins beat in the SCF.

I don't get why that's so bad.
- jmatchett383

dont hate hossa. wish he would have stayed. but he still remains one of my favorite handful of players in the league.

Nabokov is on waivers. I have more faith in Nabokov winning a home game against the Flyers than MAF.

The time to move on from MAF was in the last years of his old contract. Pittsburgh should have traded for either Bernier or Schneider. Or sign Miller if they're still thinking that they could compete in the playoffs.
- Johnny Wrath

You drinking again? Must be.

It's sad that some Flyers fans have deluded themselves to thinking they wouldn't run out and buy his jersey were he a Flyer.
- jmatchett383

sad indeed my friend.

its a shame i probably would have jumped off the walt whitman upon hearing the news, but it would be hilarious to watch them literally suffocate themselves in black friday fashion to purchase his jersey t shirt in orange.

dont hate hossa. wish he would have stayed. but he still remains one of my favorite handful of players in the league.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah apparently to have the freedom to go and do whatever the F you want is frowned upon with Pens fans.

Cant blame him, Wings were rolling that hole season, Pens were a 10 seed until they fired the coach and brought in Kuni.

I don't get the Hossa hate.
He came over in a trade (with Dupuis) as a rental and played amazingly (OT series winner versus NYR, anyone).
Then, knowing he was a rental, he signed with Detroit who the Penguins beat in the SCF.

I don't get why that's so bad.
- jmatchett383

Hossa made the right move three summers in a row. He's more awesome at positioning himself than Ryan O'Reilly.

Hossa leaving hit a few nerves; that Pittsburgh had nothing on the wing at all and wouldn't be having anything in the near future, and that playing with 87 and 71 isn't the amazing opportunity that it is so often perceived. Plus, I mean, Detroit was just so much better than Pittsburgh in 2008. Detroit were a much better team in 09, but the Hockey Gods decided that Miro Satan must needs win the Cup.