I know, we've been over that.

People keep harping that Malkin would bolt for the KHL if he were anywhere other than Pittsburgh. I'm gonna call total BS on that, even if he came out and said it directly (what else is he gonna say? "Yeah, I'd love to play on another NHL team!")
- jmatchett383

and yet i still cant bring myself to trade him. ive yet to see a deal that realistically a team would do, even for him, that i would pull the trigger on.

One thing's for sure, the winger excuse won't be present this year if they Penguins healthy in the playoffs. That was management's first question to try to answer - will better wingers help 87 and 71's playoff production.
- hardnosed

It will clearly be Craig Adams fault if 71 and 87 dont produce.

You don't have to pretend if you're actually injured. Not sure where people keep getting this "have to pretend you're recovering" thing.
- BulliesPhan87

guess this sent some people reading through the volumes of the CBA, see yinz in a few days

So the choices were retain, retain, retain, and let walk...those were the HARD choices?

The hard choice is this: can a team led primarily by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin win another Stanley Cup in the future?
- jmatchett383

After that sweep by Boston, they could have moved away from that core and coach. They brought all of them back.

Can a team lead by those two win again? Probably not. It isn't because they cost so much, either. It's developmental, cultural, and disciplinary.

I think that is a little too much expectation there. I know I am in the minority here, and I know that it would never happen in a million years, but if it ever came down to keeping Malkin or Crosby, I would keep Malkin. Personally, I don't see the need to ever make that decision. But it seems like a lot of people are starting to lean that way if the Pens don't win a cup in the next year or two.
- PensFan1103

They can't move Crosby for more than on-ice reasons. He is the face of the team and league, and is an NHL marketing person's dream.

The thing is that the current thinking is, "Any time we have Crosby and Malkin, we have a chance to win." While that's true, it becomes less and less believable as the team has one premature exit after another. At some point, maybe you have to step back and seriously consider going in another direction. Like I said though it would be a very, VERY hard choice.

I know, we've been over that.

People keep harping that Malkin would bolt for the KHL if he were anywhere other than Pittsburgh. I'm gonna call total BS on that, even if he came out and said it directly (what else is he gonna say? "Yeah, I'd love to play on another NHL team!")
- jmatchett383

There is a miss understanding among Pens fans that Pittsburgh is the only desirable place to play and that just about any UFA will gladly take a 30% pay cut just for the opportunity to play here.

After that sweep by Boston, they could have moved away from that core and coach. They brought all of them back.

Can a team lead by those two win again? Probably not. It isn't because they cost so much, either. It's developmental, cultural, and disciplinary.
- Johnny Wrath

Exactly. So, if you probably can't win with those 2, what do you do?

My thinking was based off the idea that of we added a top 4 then we would rekindle Martin talks with LA... And the 3/4 line tweeners out there are enter than who we have plus the LA guys have had a cup run under their belt, plus I think 3/4 line depth is what we lack
- kfinl170

GMJR is looking for a veteran D to help add depth.Moving Martin or Erhoff would be a lateral move at best. And I'm not sold on the idea that the D GMJR acquires has to be a rental. It sounds like the price and/or length of deals martin and erhoff want are to much

and yet i still cant bring myself to trade him. ive yet to see a deal that realistically a team would do, even for him, that i would pull the trigger on.
- stayinthefnnet

I thought a variation of the Montreal deal was a good one. I still think moving him for a monster deal to a small market team would be best, as he's a headshot on a billboard. If you're the Florida Panthers, you can either attract fans with Alexander Barkov or Evgeni Malkin. Who do you pick?

Exactly. So, if you probably can't win with those 2, what do you do?
- jmatchett383

Me personally? I keep Malkin. I think the Penguins will be content looking back at this era where the NHL's two best players were on the same team in a weak conference and have warm, fuzzy Flames 1989 memories.

I thought a variation of the Montreal deal was a good one. I still think moving him for a monster deal to a small market team would be best, as he's a headshot on a billboard. If you're the Florida Panthers, you can either attract fans with Alexander Barkov or Evgeni Malkin. Who do you pick?
- jmatchett383

i agree with what youre saying. if he was to be moved, that is the type of place he would have to be moved to.

but i also want pieces to win now coming back.

Me personally? I keep Malkin. I think the Penguins will be content looking back at this era where the NHL's two best players were on the same team in a weak conference and have warm, fuzzy Flames 1989 memories.
- Johnny Wrath

So you'd be content to win 1 Stanley Cup over a 15-year period with those two players leading the way?

i agree with what youre saying. if he was to be moved, that is the type of place he would have to be moved to.

but i also want pieces to win now coming back.
- stayinthefnnet

Well, what about moving him out West to Phoenix for (in the offseason) Hanzal, Boedker, OEL, and Max Domi? Assuming Phoenix would do it.

So you'd be content to win 1 Stanley Cup over a 15-year period with those two players leading the way?
- jmatchett383

this conversation is literally painful.


and i know, i know. i dont need to hear WELL SO IS CONSISTENTLY FLAMING OUT IN THE PLAYOFFS.

it just is.

guess this sent some people reading through the volumes of the CBA, see yinz in a few days
- BulliesPhan87

It's just sour grapes by those who hate the Flyers. A lot of people were looking forward to Pronger's deal being a bad deal the last few years of his contract, thus hurting the Flyers. So some people are butt hurt over the fact that the Flyers got a get out of jail free card when he came to his contract. At least that is how some see it.

I thought a variation of the Montreal deal was a good one. I still think moving him for a monster deal to a small market team would be best, as he's a headshot on a billboard. If you're the Florida Panthers, you can either attract fans with Alexander Barkov or Evgeni Malkin. Who do you pick?
- jmatchett383

Malkin does have a full NTC, so he will only go some where he chooses. Not sure if a 50% sellout crowed in south FLA does it for him. I would Imagine, ANA, LA, MTL, NY, VAN, BOS would be the top of hte list.

It's just sour grapes by those who hate the Flyers. A lot of people were looking forward to Pronger's deal being a bad deal the last few years of his contract, thus hurting the Flyers. So some people are butt hurt over the fact that the Flyers got a get out of jail free card when he came to his contract. At least that is how some see it.
- PensFan1103

It's just kind of ridiculous that Pronger works for the League now. At least nobody knows where Marc Savard is.

I still wonder how much Malkin's shoulder injury still bothers him.

He scored 50 goals in 75 games during his MVP season.

Since the hit from JvR that hurt his shoulder in March of 2013 (a span of 121 games played), Malkin has 48 goals.

Yikes.

The reason why they'd be interested in Sekera is because they wouldn't have to send a big salary back. So it would be a prospect + pick kind of deal that wouldn't hurt the existing depth.

It makes no sense to trade for Sekera and then turn around and trade Martin or Ehrhoff. That would just keep the same depth issue (perceived) while getting a guy in Sekera who is not as good as Martin or Ehrhoff.

And then for a bunch of third/fourth line tweeners? Nope.
- hardnosed

They're looking at Sekera as a potential partner for Erhoff, not as a goddamn replacement.

Also, Canes don't want another mediocre center back in return. Looking for picks and prospects only.

Well, what about moving him out West to Phoenix for (in the offseason) Hanzal, Boedker, OEL, and Max Domi? Assuming Phoenix would do it.
- jmatchett383

im not even going to debate the fact that the value youre offering up is huge. i really its silly, emotional, and sentimental, but as a fan i just have a very hard time trading malkin.

I know, we've been over that.

People keep harping that Malkin would bolt for the KHL if he were anywhere other than Pittsburgh. I'm gonna call total BS on that, even if he came out and said it directly (what else is he gonna say? "Yeah, I'd love to play on another NHL team!")
- jmatchett383

That's (frank)ing ridiculous.

Malkin does have a full NTC, so he will only go some where he chooses. Not sure if a 50% sellout crowed in south FLA does it for him. I would Imagine, ANA, LA, MTL, NY, VAN, BOS would be the top of hte list.
- sammy87

That is a damn good point. I'd think that Anaheim and Montreal would be the best choices.

So you'd be content to win 1 Stanley Cup over a 15-year period with those two players leading the way?
- jmatchett383

I keep Malkin, trade Sid. I think Pittsburgh could get unheard of return for Sid for the publicity alone and could still have the better of the two players when the dust settles.

I still wonder how much Malkin's shoulder injury still bothers him.

He scored 50 goals in 75 games during his MVP season.

Since the hit from JvR that hurt his shoulder in March of 2013 (a span of 121 games played), Malkin has 48 goals.
- hardnosed

he really doesnt look to shoot nearly as much. that much is certain.

this conversation is literally painful.


and i know, i know. i dont need to hear WELL SO IS CONSISTENTLY FLAMING OUT IN THE PLAYOFFS.

it just is.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree. Winning isn't easy. There are 29 other teams trying to win as well. 26 other teams would love to have are suceess.....and of the 3 other teams Boston and LA may not make playoffs this year