Think Montreal might be interested in that Malkin deal now? Both teams could use a change. Trading Malkin is a scary thought but guess you have to consider it at this point. Problem is you trade him and don't win you get fired.

No we dont, we are afforded the luxury of having expensive forwards because we can finally reap the rewards of ELC. We are saving 9 million on defense this year, by the time we need to reward the rookie dmen Kunitz and Dupuis will be coming off the books.

We need to unload Malkin's 9.5 for two players that combine to the same range, then add one more player in the 5mil range and we are set.
- stackthepads

Or maybe throw next year out as a gap year where we try & stick with what we had this year of close to it signing 1 year deals, while breaking in the young D & F prospects from WBS (Rust & Sundy possibly Kap). Check out the likelihood of success around trade deadline & either trade for an upcoming F coming off contract or 2, to try & win or stick with or trade for picks to redo the roster with more talent next off season. Hopefully still make the playoffs, our young D has more experience, pick up better quality F & have our coach get another NHL year under his belt. Again trading for F that are coming off contracts seems a waste of assets unless we are close to winning - in the position like this year, trade away not for.

Or maybe throw next year out as a gap year where we try & stick with what we had this year of close to it signing 1 year deals, while breaking in the young D & F prospects from WBS (Rust & Sundy possibly Kap). Check out the likelihood of success around trade deadline & either trade for an upcoming F coming off contract or 2, to try & win or stick with or trade for picks to redo the roster with more talent next off season. Hopefully still make the playoffs, our young D has more experience, pick up better quality F & have our coach get another NHL year under his belt. Again trading for F that are coming off contracts seems a waste of assets unless we are close to winning - in the position like this year, trade away not for.
- Aussiepenguin

So call next season a wash, rebuild with picks and prospects that cant help for 2-3 years....brilliant! You do realize Malkin will be around 32 or 33 by then? Im willing to bet if 71 has 2 more years of playing with dudes in their mid 30's and Blake Comeau, he will re think his stance on staying in Pitt pretty quickly.

Think Montreal might be interested in that Malkin deal now? Both teams could use a change. Trading Malkin is a scary thought but guess you have to consider it at this point. Problem is you trade him and don't win you get fired.
- dbell646

I'm convinced ownership isn't remotely thinking about moving him.....which I'm happy about.

What I find extremely annoying about this team is they have two generational centers (the hardest commodity to obtain), and they fail to surround them with legit top 6 wingers year after year. Shero really fvcked this team.

By the way, old Ruthy should be sent packing for that dumb ass trade of Despres. Idiot!

So call next season a wash, rebuild with picks and prospects that cant help for 2-3 years....brilliant! You do realize Malkin will be around 32 or 33 by then? Im willing to bet if 71 has 2 more years of playing with dudes in their mid 30's and Blake Comeau, he will re think his stance on staying in Pitt pretty quickly.
- sammy87

Where did I say rebuild with picks or prospects?

I said we trade at next years trade deadline for them then you can either trade them for players or see how you go with them but they are then ours so you can do what you want with them - how many have got in the cupboard currently?

Next years market much stronger than this year, so what do you want to do? Over pay or trade some assets? Either way out D core probably isn't going to be a Stanley winning D so another year is going to make a world of difference for these guys.

But hey, win now no matter what - that's worked extremely well to date!

Give our young D core a chance to progress (I would still trade the 1 that gets the best return), then having an experienced 1C & 2C will just compliment the dynamics of our kick arse D that destroy everyone.

Best defence is attack, but defence wins you games - especially attacking D!

Where did I say rebuild with picks or prospects?

I said we trade at next years trade deadline for them then you can either trade them for players or see how you go with them but they are then ours so you can do what you want with them - how many have got in the cupboard currently?

Next years market much stronger than this year, so what do you want to do? Over pay or trade some assets? Either way out D core probably isn't going to be a Stanley winning D so another year is going to make a world of difference for these guys.

But hey, win now no matter what - that's worked extremely well to date!

Give our young D core a chance to progress (I would still trade the 1 that gets the best return), then having an experienced 1C & 2C will just compliment the dynamics of our kick arse D that destroy everyone.

Best defence is attack, but defence wins you games - especially attacking D!
- Aussiepenguin

This past year was the year to move players for picks and prospects and call the playoffs a loss. You cant tell me management or anyone else thought they had a chance without Maata, Letang, Dupuis, Hoff, etc....this just wasnt that good of a team even when healthy. Kuni and Martin would have returned picks/prospects. No reason for the Winnik deal, there had to have been more for Despres.

They have pretty much put themselves in a win now mode for the next 3 seasons. After that, 87 and 71's glory days will be fading away.

I'm convinced ownership isn't remotely thinking about moving him.....which I'm happy about.

What I find extremely annoying about this team is they have two generational centers (the hardest commodity to obtain), and they fail to surround them with legit top 6 wingers year after year. Shero really fvcked this team.

By the way, old Ruthy should be sent packing for that dumb ass trade of Despres. Idiot!
- madmike71

If I thought Malkin could be traded and improve the team I would be all for it. I just don't think there is any chance of that happening, whether through lack of willingness on Malkin's part, ownerships, or both. And even if they got past that, I doubt other teams would offer as much as he is worth in roster players. Only way I see trading Malkin as a "win" is if the team is willing to take back picks and prospects.

This past year was the year to move players for picks and prospects and call the playoffs a loss. You cant tell me management or anyone else thought they had a chance without Maata, Letang, Dupuis, Hoff, etc....this just wasnt that good of a team even when healthy. Kuni and Martin would have returned picks/prospects. No reason for the Winnik deal, there had to have been more for Despres.

They have pretty much put themselves in a win now mode for the next 3 seasons. After that, 87 and 71's glory days will be fading away.
- sammy87

Hindsight is a marvellous thing. Trade deadline the team wasn't in bad shape, then the rest is history. The future is however a little clearer with available assets in the market already being seen as not competitive enough for the team which leaves trades, which again is a tough ask to be able to complete (not 1 single word about the (frank)in Despres trade), & finish with a better unit - not just a better top 6 but a team with depth.

So sometimes taking a step back is actually more beneficial for future success. Band aid the team (again) with the objective of building a much better team the following year. Sid & Geno 1 year older ok, still under or 30 & after a year where they are not pushed to limit they should be ready to go, maybe they even enjoy their profession if the playoffs are considered a success?

Or we run a team where a few injuries kill any & all hope (again), & have the same problem again next year.

Hindsight is a marvellous thing. Trade deadline the team wasn't in bad shape, then the rest is history. The future is however a little clearer with available assets in the market already being seen as not competitive enough for the team which leaves trades, which again is a tough ask to be able to complete (not 1 single word about the (frank)in Despres trade), & finish with a better unit - not just a better top 6 but a team with depth.

So sometimes taking a step back is actually more beneficial for future success. Band aid the team (again) with the objective of building a much better team the following year. Sid & Geno 1 year older ok, still under or 30 & after a year where they are not pushed to limit they should be ready to go, maybe they even enjoy their profession if the playoffs are considered a success?

Or we run a team where a few injuries kill any & all hope (again), & have the same problem again next year.
- Aussiepenguin

I'm most concerned with two things:
Rutherford making a stupid trade and/or making a long-term signing that makes the player impossible to move. If he swings and misses on a UFA player and can move him later (like Shero did with Michalek), I'm fine with trying.

I say the Pens should sign Eaves if they can for a reasonable amount. Eaves helped the highest scoring player in the league last year. Let's hope he can do it again but on the Penguin's team.

Flexibility is always valuable. Eaves can play on the PK or the PP and on a top line or any line really. He will add some speed. If he would have played all 82 games this year, his goals/game would have extrapolated to make him the fourth leading goal scorer on the Penguins.

Malkin + Sutter for Horvat + Virtanen + Hamhuis + 1st + Bonino + Vrbata