Yes...all things considered they still put up a good amount of pts. However, the question is are they good team players? Do they have a team first attitude or do they bring everyone else down? This can happen and none of us know them personally and this is all hypothetical. A player can be the best producer in the league and still be a d bag and the team is better off without them.

Malkin sucked this year. He took terrible penalties and if not for his tear early in the year his its would be way off.
- sammy87

Lol.

If the move brought back a very much needed asset+multiple picks etc...but then allowed the cap space to get a replacement in FA you can win the trade when you look at the total haul.

I dont think an on paper trade Malkin for whatever looks like a win for the pens by itself. Factor everything else in then maybe.
- sammy87

What’s the much needed asset that outweighs a 2C? A 1C? Oh.. we have two of those? Hmm... so we’re gonna trade away our 2C that’s good enough to be a 1C for... an inferior 2C because we created the need for a 2C by trading away our elite 2C. Smart.

What’s the much needed asset that outweighs a 2C? A 1C? Oh.. we have two of those? Hmm... so we’re gonna trade away our 2C that’s good enough to be a 1C for... an inferior 2C because we created the need for a 2C by trading away our elite 2C. Smart.
- j.boyd919

Let's give Sammy credit here and assume it's a much needed asset on top of a 2C replacement and a pick. So let's call it a 2C, a top 4 D, and a pick. So now let's think of the best case scenario which is probably Trochek, the incredibly overrated Ekblad, and a 1st. I'd rather have just Malkin than Trochek and Ekblad, and Florida probably doesn't do that trade for a 31 year old that will be in serious decline soon. Hopefully this illustrates why a Malkin trade is a really dumb idea and that it's super unrealistic that we'd even be close to as good if we pulled the trigger on one. Even trades that get you close aren't realistic.

Where is Mario in all this?

Where is Mario in all this?
- powerhouse

Banging the princess.

Eric Lindros wasn't the best player in the Eric Lindros trade (I assume you mean the Quebec one). Or, at the very least, he was equal to Forsberg.
- jmatchett383

yes he was

Cap basically equals out (we shed some), Ryan is about as useful as Johnson, but it takes away the option of playing Johnson in any significant role, so yeah, I'd do it. Like I've said before, I've basically taken the position of getting rid of Johnson at all costs just so he can't neuter the second pairing.

Bobby Ryan. Wow.
- Victoro311

This makes sense for OTT too since 72 is a moveable contract

Yohe is literally Randy from Trailer Park Boys, and JR is his Mr. Lahey
- Za Warudo

If that’s the case I believe everything yohe said

Last 3 seasons (most relevant sample)

5v5 P60

Ryan: 1.62

Hornqvist: 1.60

So while Ryan has a larger cap hit it is for 1 less year. Throw in JJ and OTT sending a pick and it makes zero sense.

You have to start looking at Hornqvist as a minimal to negative value piece.

If you are saying Ryan for Horny, JJ, and a 1st it makes sense.
- Feds91Stammer

I feel like we would all agree this was a down year for 72. Could he return to a 59-60 point pace? I believe he can. One of the reasons why I liked his extension was because I felt like we could trade him down the road. Well, here we are. Negative value though? He’s also a 2 time cup winner and his down year is a pace of 44 points. Better pace than Palat, Eakin, Schwartz, Zucker, Nylander, Jenner, Rust, Eberle.

He’s a year removed from 11 points in 10 playoff games (riding 87/59s coattails lol). He’s 32 and has 4 years remaining. Last year his PPG was 0.7. I’ve said it many times, I believe he would have trade value but it would be after free agency when teams have struck out on certain players IE AZ has a tough time luring in FAs but I already know they want a top 6 winger. If they miss out it wouldn’t surprise me if they traded for 72. Other teams who might want him if they miss out? I’ll stick to the west: CAL if they move Neal, COL possibly? NSH for sure if they swing out especially if they want to move on from Granlund, and Dallas if they lose Zucc (but I think they get Zucc and Hayes). I think there’s interest in the East but less so from GMJRs standpoint

Banging the princess.
- j.boyd919

Best reply ever

I feel like we would all agree this was a down year for 72. Could he return to a 59-60 point pace? I believe he can. One of the reasons why I liked his extension was because I felt like we could trade him down the road. Well, here we are. Negative value though? He’s also a 2 time cup winner and his down year is a pace of 44 points. Better pace than Palat, Eakin, Schwartz, Zucker, Nylander, Jenner, Rust, Eberle.

He’s a year removed from 11 points in 10 playoff games (riding 87/59s coattails lol). He’s 32 and has 4 years remaining. Last year his PPG was 0.7. I’ve said it many times, I believe he would have trade value but it would be after free agency when teams have struck out on certain players IE AZ has a tough time luring in FAs but I already know they want a top 6 winger. If they miss out it wouldn’t surprise me if they traded for 72. Other teams who might want him if they miss out? I’ll stick to the west: CAL if they move Neal, COL possibly? NSH for sure if they swing out especially if they want to move on from Granlund, and Dallas if they lose Zucc (but I think they get Zucc and Hayes). I think there’s interest in the East but less so from GMJRs standpoint
- WSCTeton17

This offseason is our last chance to trade him. He’s Bickle. Not coming back from his last head injury.

Let's give Sammy credit here and assume it's a much needed asset on top of a 2C replacement and a pick. So let's call it a 2C, a top 4 D, and a pick. So now let's think of the best case scenario which is probably Trochek, the incredibly overrated Ekblad, and a 1st. I'd rather have just Malkin than Trochek and Ekblad, and Florida probably doesn't do that trade for a 31 year old that will be in serious decline soon. Hopefully this illustrates why a Malkin trade is a really dumb idea and that it's super unrealistic that we'd even be close to as good if we pulled the trigger on one. Even trades that get you close aren't realistic.
- Victoro311

Malkin, Maatta, Hornqvist, JJ for Subban, RyJo (1MM retained), and Granlund. Nashville gets the best Forward, Pitt gets the best D. Go ahead, argue it out. Pros and cons time

To me, we lock up Petts and have our top 4 moving forward, we get a 2C back, we ditch JJ, and if Granlund doesn’t pan out he only has one year left. Cons: we lose the best player in the trade, RW blogs lose 50% of JJ takes (doubt it), and regret when we don’t win the cup

This offseason is our last chance to trade him. He’s Bickle. Not coming back from his last head injury.
- Victoro311

I feel like that’s a fair opinion, but I also feel like he could still put up 55-60 points again next year playing with Forsberg and Malkin while adding the net front presence they need on their PP1 on a good Preds team. Thoughts?

Let's give Sammy credit here and assume it's a much needed asset on top of a 2C replacement and a pick. So let's call it a 2C, a top 4 D, and a pick. So now let's think of the best case scenario which is probably Trochek, the incredibly overrated Ekblad, and a 1st. I'd rather have just Malkin than Trochek and Ekblad, and Florida probably doesn't do that trade for a 31 year old that will be in serious decline soon. Hopefully this illustrates why a Malkin trade is a really dumb idea and that it's super unrealistic that we'd even be close to as good if we pulled the trigger on one. Even trades that get you close aren't realistic.
- Victoro311

You can't, but if you could get Ekblad, Trochek and a 1st for Malkin Rutherford would jump all over it.

Friedman said today that the salary cap might not rise as much as expected due to so many big name teams exiting the playoffs early. That wouldnt be good news for the Penguins.

Trading Kessel is fine if you get the right deal for him. Trading him just for the sake of trading him is stupid. Trading Malkin or Letang is stupid too. You wont get anything close to their worth and after all of the insanity and early playoff exits, this is the one that gets your core broken up? Seriously?

Penguins need to retool and accept that they have some bad contracts that arent going away soon. That and our limited prospect pool means we have our hands tied pretty tightly.

Side note question... this would never happen while Rutherford is GM... but would anyone consider sending an offer sheet to one of these young players with expiring contracts in the coming year or two? We'd have to shred salary to afford them, but if the right opportunity came up, shoot one of those guys an offer sheet.

Malkin, Maatta, Hornqvist, JJ for Subban, RyJo (1MM retained), and Granlund. Nashville gets the best Forward, Pitt gets the best D. Go ahead, argue it out. Pros and cons time

To me, we lock up Petts and have our top 4 moving forward, we get a 2C back, we ditch JJ, and if Granlund doesn’t pan out he only has one year left. Cons: we lose the best player in the trade, RW blogs lose 50% of JJ takes (doubt it), and regret when we don’t win the cup
- WSCTeton17

I think a Kessel for Subban trade makes a lot of sense, but only if Nashville keeps the difference in salary. We'd then have to dump two defensemen instead of one, but we need more puck movers on our defense. This would help out a great deal.

If that’s the case I believe everything yohe said
- Grinder47

Yohe believes Jack Johnson is good

Bruins are making the Pens PP look safe.

So many short handed chances against

Garth stated that the Sabres also have interest in Jacques Martin. Wouldn’t surprise me if he gets a gig somewhere whether it’s Buffalo or Ottawa or whatever. Per Garth’s source: Martin is an excellent teacher and special teams authority.. shocker

I feel like we would all agree this was a down year for 72. Could he return to a 59-60 point pace? I believe he can. One of the reasons why I liked his extension was because I felt like we could trade him down the road. Well, here we are. Negative value though? He’s also a 2 time cup winner and his down year is a pace of 44 points. Better pace than Palat, Eakin, Schwartz, Zucker, Nylander, Jenner, Rust, Eberle.

He’s a year removed from 11 points in 10 playoff games (riding 87/59s coattails lol). He’s 32 and has 4 years remaining. Last year his PPG was 0.7. I’ve said it many times, I believe he would have trade value but it would be after free agency when teams have struck out on certain players IE AZ has a tough time luring in FAs but I already know they want a top 6 winger. If they miss out it wouldn’t surprise me if they traded for 72. Other teams who might want him if they miss out? I’ll stick to the west: CAL if they move Neal, COL possibly? NSH for sure if they swing out especially if they want to move on from Granlund, and Dallas if they lose Zucc (but I think they get Zucc and Hayes). I think there’s interest in the East but less so from GMJRs standpoint
- WSCTeton17

This offseason is our last chance to trade him. He’s Bickle. Not coming back from his last head injury.
- Victoro311

I wouldn’t go that far with it. Bickell had 31 points in his last 116 games. That’s a 22 point pace for a full season. Hornqvist was on pace for 44 points this year. There are morons out there who believe Crosby should’ve retired after his head injuries, I’ve met some.

Hornqvist definitely didn’t look the same, I’m not arguing that. What I’m saying is that I believe if he’s put with a good center that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in the 50-60 point range (had a typo earlier that was 59-60). I also think that some teams mid summer who need a RW2 would be willing to add him and I don’t think we’re going to get garbage in return

Hornquist is tradeable but you are nuts if you think he's a salary dump. He is the only damn guy on the team who has a net front presence.

If they get a really good offer I'm sure they will take it, but I don't think they are itching to move him.

I wouldn't trade any of our core players (Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Kessel, Guentzel, Murray). I think the only logical way this trade Kessel talk makes any sense is if you feel like he is going to regress greatly in the next few years. If this is the case you trade him(which I do not believe is the case). I think penguins should look more towards moving Schultz, Gudbranson, Johnson, Maatta, Hornqvist, Simon (I only list him here as a trade piece to move out someone like Johnson or Gudbranson), and Jarry. I think JR has the ability to move out most if not all of these players and get fair value for them. I think we needed a change defensively and maybe another skilled player and I could see us being a force. I wouldn't mind trading for Subban or another skill player. I have a feeling JR is going to be active this offseason and dive in this free agency (which is why I think he will be making multiple trades to free up space). I really hope he signs some bottom 6 guys. someone like Tobias Rieder I feel would play well with Bjugstad and Mccann on our 3rd line.

Hornquist is tradeable but you are nuts if you think he's a salary dump.
- MacPatty

I agree. I think Horny has trade value around the league and value to this team.

There is a reason JJ is mentioned, it's because he completely (frank)s up the Penguins.
- j.boyd919

Can't argue with the stats, however, I think this team's problems run deeper than JJ and a couple other overpaid guys. I think it's a chemistry issue that advanced metrics can't see. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think this particular core group has another Cup in them. They've already done all they can, and more.