Throw in JJ and thats 6 players tied up to their late 30's making $3+.

Problem with Letang is getting a replacement and Maata most likely is gone this year, probably not re-signing Shultz so IDK.

How did ANA feel about Sprong this year? He had 14G there, was he any good or lucky?
- sammy87

His goals were really nice, lots of snipes but his overall game needs work. Anaheim has done a nice job recently of developing young forwards and bringing them out of the woodwork to become NHL players, the same could possibly happen with Sprong. I know they take their offseason training very seriously, which isn’t always the case

Infinitely better than any lineup that doesn’t include Malkin and Phil
- Victoro311

A lineup as such gives you so many options to rotate players into different spots all season long.

Nope. That would be racist, LOL. My theory is that if you consider core pieces now... I've suggested 71 and 58... that you don't necessarily have to tank after championships, like most folks seem to think you are destined for.

Maybe you take advantage of a desperate GM (Detroit), but if the deal isn't good, you keep your guys.
- Cousinskrid

How is Detroit GM desperate? He just got hired an rebuilt the Lightning to a contender within like 3-5 years. He’s not acquire an aging center during a rebuild.

I still do not see great upside in trading Malkin. I cannot think of one team that 1) Malkin would accept a trade to & 2) would pay top dollar for him.

The game is shifting to young players. You see these young guys get big contracts and big roles on their teams. No one is going to trade you Malkin's worth for a guy over 30. Looking at teams like the Kings & Hawks, it seemed like their big problem was their 2nd line and too much dead cap. There is only a few moves we can do about the dead cap. Rutherford aint trading Johnson. Horny likely aint accepting a trade, maybe back to Nasville, but unlikely. Moving guys like Gudbranson is doable. Moving Kessel is expected at this point. So that's a lot of money. Some moveable, a good chunk of it unmovable. Penguins need to accept that. The poor second line production was also the case for the Penguins this year. I know the "Look at Malkin's points." Thats true, but him and Kessel were invisible late in the season, though Kessel did have a good playoffs IMO. Kessel aint going to do well on the 3rd line. Either play him with Malkin or trade him.

If Sully wants to keep playing a speed game, I'm fine with that. However, Rutherford needs to accept that his team is no where structured to play that fast game. The Centers down the middle have never been slower. You have certain wingers that arent geared to play that style. You have a defense that only has 4 puck moving defensemen and 2 that bring down the guy they are paired with.

There is a lot of things wrong with this blog. 1. Pretty sure Rutherford isn’t waging a war on Malkin. Pretty sure he was asked if Malkin was safe and he said he couldn’t answer that at this time.
2. Johnson was a healthy scratch for game1. Obviously they see something wrong.
3. Malkin gets paid a lot of money to play hockey. Expecting him to somewhat listen to the coach and play within a system isn’t “picking” on Malkin. Probably time he grows up and does his job.
4. You stat Nancys f Ucking over react to everything.
- Grinder47

Very well said

I still do not see great upside in trading Malkin. I cannot think of one team that 1) Malkin would accept a trade to & 2) would pay top dollar for him.

The game is shifting to young players. You see these young guys get big contracts and big roles on their teams. No one is going to trade you Malkin's worth for a guy over 30. Looking at teams like the Kings & Hawks, it seemed like their big problem was their 2nd line and too much dead cap. There is only a few moves we can do about the dead cap. Rutherford aint trading Johnson. Horny likely aint accepting a trade, maybe back to Nasville, but unlikely. Moving guys like Gudbranson is doable. Moving Kessel is expected at this point. So that's a lot of money. Some moveable, a good chunk of it unmovable. Penguins need to accept that. The poor second line production was also the case for the Penguins this year. I know the "Look at Malkin's points." Thats true, but him and Kessel were invisible late in the season, though Kessel did have a good playoffs IMO. Kessel aint going to do well on the 3rd line. Either play him with Malkin or trade him.

If Sully wants to keep playing a speed game, I'm fine with that. However, Rutherford needs to accept that his team is no where structured to play that fast game. The Centers down the middle have never been slower. You have certain wingers that arent geared to play that style. You have a defense that only has 4 puck moving defensemen and 2 that bring down the guy they are paired with.
- SuperHenderson13

If you do trade Malkin, you need a team that needs to win, or at least stop losing, right now, and they need to be able to take on his cap (minus the return). The only teams that I could see trading a good return for Malkin that would make sense for both teams would be:

Arizona - lots of good pieces available but no "premier" forward. Have a good assortment of young roster players and top-notch prospects available.

Minnesota - again, no "premier" forward and an aging core (Suter, Parise, Staal, Koivu). If they want to win with those guys, now is the time.

Winnipeg - a team that has come up way short the last 2 seasons as they were viewed as a legit contender. Scheifle is a legit 1C, but then it drops to Mathieu Perrault and Copp down the middle, a glaring weakness. Adding a top-notch center would bolster that immensely.

All 3 of these teams have, I believe, the current roster players and prospects/picks required to make the trade happen. But there are 2 problems:

1) Does Malkin want to play for any of these teams?
2) If you're getting rid of Malkin, you're going to weaken your team for the next 2-3 years while the young players/prospects come into their own. that is essentially the end of the Crosy era window. So you're basically lowering the chances of winning another Crosby-era Cup to look to the future.

How is Detroit GM desperate? He just got hired an rebuilt the Lightning to a contender within like 3-5 years. He’s not acquire an aging center during a rebuild.
- j.boyd919

only wanted to see if fedstammer was listening in, that's all.

only wanted to see if fedstammer was listening in, that's all.
- Cousinskrid

You are clueless in terms of PIT. I am going to ignore anything you say in regards to DET.

You are clueless in terms of PIT. I am going to ignore anything you say in regards to DET.
- Feds91Stammer

That's your opinion, and I'm fine with it. Not here to make friends or ruffle feathers. Just here to share thoughts.

If you do trade Malkin, you need a team that needs to win, or at least stop losing, right now, and they need to be able to take on his cap (minus the return). The only teams that I could see trading a good return for Malkin that would make sense for both teams would be:

Arizona - lots of good pieces available but no "premier" forward. Have a good assortment of young roster players and top-notch prospects available.

Minnesota - again, no "premier" forward and an aging core (Suter, Parise, Staal, Koivu). If they want to win with those guys, now is the time.

Winnipeg - a team that has come up way short the last 2 seasons as they were viewed as a legit contender. Scheifle is a legit 1C, but then it drops to Mathieu Perrault and Copp down the middle, a glaring weakness. Adding a top-notch center would bolster that immensely.

All 3 of these teams have, I believe, the current roster players and prospects/picks required to make the trade happen. But there are 2 problems:

1) Does Malkin want to play for any of these teams?
2) If you're getting rid of Malkin, you're going to weaken your team for the next 2-3 years while the young players/prospects come into their own. that is essentially the end of the Crosy era window. So you're basically lowering the chances of winning another Crosby-era Cup to look to the future.
- jmatchett383

I agree with you on Minnesota, I would agree with you on Winnipeg to an extent, but they have little money to go around. Adding Malkin would take some moves to fix that money problem. I disagree about Arizona. They are building something worthwhile out there through draft and development. I think it'd be insane for a small market team like that to throw a lot of that progress away for a guy like Malkin.

Only other team I was thinking of was Florida. They have the assets to get it done, ownership will be willing to spend more money, trying to attract a few big Russian UFAs this summer, and they have the time table to do it. The top guns in the Atlantic are Boston/TB/Toronto. Florida, like a lot of small market teams, are dependent on the playoffs to turn a profit (not sure of their actual financials, but cant imagine they are making money in the regular season). Getting Malkin would help that.

If the Penguins didnt have Crosby or if he was 3-4 younger, I'd consider trading Malkin and being like Chicago, maybe reset for 2 years or so and have years to take another run at it. I put the Penguins window at 3-4 years where Crosby is performing at a high level. I think he will play longer, but no doubt his game will eventually drop off, even when he is smart enough to change his game to reflect that (unlike Malkin).

Does everyone here think that the Pens are still a fast run and gun team? Capable of the type of swarming play that won them the cup in 16? I'm not sure an influx of youth would achieve this.

The only way I can see how the trading any of the star forwards on the team would help is if the team mentality switches from all offense to a more defensive approach.

Construct the team around a very solid top line, with the emphasis on a stronger puck moving d core.

I would do the following:

Maatta for Hyman. Toronto is in a tough spot capwise with everyone they need to sign also replace Gardiner on a budget.

Hornqvist for Grabner.

JJ + a first or Hallander with some retention to a capfloor team.

Sign Pommenville, Hagelin or Ennis for around $1Mish.

Sign LD, not sure who yet.

McCann-Sid-Jake
Hyman-Geno-Phil
Grabner-Bjugstad-Rust
Simon-Blueger-Ennis

Dumo/Letang
Petterson/Schultz
???/Gudbranson

I would do the following:

Maatta for Hyman. Toronto is in a tough spot capwise with everyone they need to sign also replace Gardiner on a budget.

Hornqvist for Grabner.

JJ + a first or Hallander with some retention to a capfloor team.

Sign Pommenville, Hagelin or Ennis for around $1Mish.

Sign LD, not sure who yet.

McCann-Sid-Jake
Hyman-Geno-Phil
Grabner-Bjugstad-Rust
Simon-Blueger-Ennis

Dumo/Letang
Petterson/Schultz
???/Gudbranson
- Rinosaur

I think TO only has one RH D-man, I could be wrong, but the media has been bashing it to pieces up here north of your border. The media has had effects on that franchise before, seen it with my own eyes over the years. Look no further than our boy Phil. Also, Babcock has been vocal in the past about really liking/wanting lefties and righties on the their natural sides on each pair. Anyways, long story short, I dont see them trading for a lefty D-man.

I agree with you on Minnesota, I would agree with you on Winnipeg to an extent, but they have little money to go around. Adding Malkin would take some moves to fix that money problem. I disagree about Arizona. They are building something worthwhile out there through draft and development. I think it'd be insane for a small market team like that to throw a lot of that progress away for a guy like Malkin.

Only other team I was thinking of was Florida. They have the assets to get it done, ownership will be willing to spend more money, trying to attract a few big Russian UFAs this summer, and they have the time table to do it. The top guns in the Atlantic are Boston/TB/Toronto. Florida, like a lot of small market teams, are dependent on the playoffs to turn a profit (not sure of their actual financials, but cant imagine they are making money in the regular season). Getting Malkin would help that.

If the Penguins didnt have Crosby or if he was 3-4 younger, I'd consider trading Malkin and being like Chicago, maybe reset for 2 years or so and have years to take another run at it. I put the Penguins window at 3-4 years where Crosby is performing at a high level. I think he will play longer, but no doubt his game will eventually drop off, even when he is smart enough to change his game to reflect that (unlike Malkin).
- SuperHenderson13

You both outlined it well but I agree with you on AZ for sure. Malkin’s age, same with Kessel’s, just doesn’t jyve with the rest of their roster. I think Chayka will look in free agency and after that he’ll look for a middle 6 forward he can get cheap as a stop gap, someone like Hornqvist. In a year or two years then sure but rn looking at their roster it’s beyond obvious. Too many guys where they don’t know what they have yet and only 2 forwards are signed beyond 2021. Unless the player coming back is in their 20s or comes cheap then it doesn’t make sense

I have questions for you and Mach: why doesn’t Nashville make your list? Why doesn’t St.Louis make the list? Both of these teams are built to win now and have good pieces to send back (Schenn, Sundy, and young guns from St.Louis - Johansen, Granlund, Smith, Arvidsson, Subban)

I would do the following:

Maatta for Hyman. Toronto is in a tough spot capwise with everyone they need to sign also replace Gardiner on a budget.

Hornqvist for Grabner.

JJ + a first or Hallander with some retention to a capfloor team.

Sign Pommenville, Hagelin or Ennis for around $1Mish.

Sign LD, not sure who yet.

McCann-Sid-Jake
Hyman-Geno-Phil
Grabner-Bjugstad-Rust
Simon-Blueger-Ennis

Dumo/Letang
Petterson/Schultz
???/Gudbranson
- Rinosaur

Maatta for Hyman makes zero sense.

Negative cap impact for TOR

PIT gets a plug coming off a major knee injury

I would do the following:

Maatta for Hyman. Toronto is in a tough spot capwise with everyone they need to sign also replace Gardiner on a budget.

Hornqvist for Grabner.

JJ + a first or Hallander with some retention to a capfloor team.

Sign Pommenville, Hagelin or Ennis for around $1Mish.

Sign LD, not sure who yet.

McCann-Sid-Jake
Hyman-Geno-Phil
Grabner-Bjugstad-Rust
Simon-Blueger-Ennis

Dumo/Letang
Petterson/Schultz
???/Gudbranson
- Rinosaur

I hate the idea of trading a valuable future just to dump Johnson.

I think there is a massive bubble in terms of vetern contracts. The type of contract is shifting in recent years. More money is being given to young players. That trend will continue but there are too many guys who are getting paid for work that took place 3-4 years ago.

I would bet with this new CBA, we see a buyout opportunity for teams to buy guys out for a fraction of the salary cap implications that it normally has. A lot of teams will buy these guys out, be able to do so without harming their salary cap, and you see a lot of recycled players be able to look for better opportunities after being bought out.

Penguins cannot afford to trade futures to drop salary.

I agree with you on Minnesota, I would agree with you on Winnipeg to an extent, but they have little money to go around. Adding Malkin would take some moves to fix that money problem. I disagree about Arizona. They are building something worthwhile out there through draft and development. I think it'd be insane for a small market team like that to throw a lot of that progress away for a guy like Malkin.

Only other team I was thinking of was Florida. They have the assets to get it done, ownership will be willing to spend more money, trying to attract a few big Russian UFAs this summer, and they have the time table to do it. The top guns in the Atlantic are Boston/TB/Toronto. Florida, like a lot of small market teams, are dependent on the playoffs to turn a profit (not sure of their actual financials, but cant imagine they are making money in the regular season). Getting Malkin would help that.

If the Penguins didnt have Crosby or if he was 3-4 younger, I'd consider trading Malkin and being like Chicago, maybe reset for 2 years or so and have years to take another run at it. I put the Penguins window at 3-4 years where Crosby is performing at a high level. I think he will play longer, but no doubt his game will eventually drop off, even when he is smart enough to change his game to reflect that (unlike Malkin).
- SuperHenderson13

Well Winnipeg is likely losing Hayes ($5.175) and I would assume the big piece coming back is Trouba (RFA, $5.5M) so I think they could make it work.

And with Arizona, I just think they need to make a push. They're just dwindling as a perennial bottom-12 team and every step forward is a step back. A big splash is what they need.

Just my 2 cents.

I hate the idea of trading a valuable future just to dump Johnson.

I think there is a massive bubble in terms of vetern contracts. The type of contract is shifting in recent years. More money is being given to young players. That trend will continue but there are too many guys who are getting paid for work that took place 3-4 years ago.

I would bet with this new CBA, we see a buyout opportunity for teams to buy guys out for a fraction of the salary cap implications that it normally has. A lot of teams will buy these guys out, be able to do so without harming their salary cap, and you see a lot of recycled players be able to look for better opportunities after being bought out.

Penguins cannot afford to trade futures to drop salary.
- SuperHenderson13

Really they should just buy JJ out

Really they should just buy JJ out
- Feds91Stammer

Aside from year 4, it's not THAT bad.

Aside from year 4, it's not THAT bad.
- jmatchett383

Years 1-3 are the most important imo

Years 1-3 are the most important imo
- Feds91Stammer

Agreed

You know what's great when you're sick? Wings. Although they're great whenever, they really clean your nose the (frank) out when you're sick.

I would do the following:

Maatta for Hyman. Toronto is in a tough spot capwise with everyone they need to sign also replace Gardiner on a budget.

Hornqvist for Grabner.

JJ + a first or Hallander with some retention to a capfloor team.

Sign Pommenville, Hagelin or Ennis for around $1Mish.

Sign LD, not sure who yet.

McCann-Sid-Jake
Hyman-Geno-Phil
Grabner-Bjugstad-Rust
Simon-Blueger-Ennis

Dumo/Letang
Petterson/Schultz
???/Gudbranson
- Rinosaur

Pominville scores at a third line rate. Hagelin scores ES at a third line rate. Not many third liners are taking below $2MM these days. AZ has one of the best PKs in the league, why on earth would they give up one of their top killers for someone when they could give up futures?

How many people here are going to say no to an AZ 2020 2nd rounder for Hornqvist?

Who are these capfloor teams next year? So there’s Ottawa, which we all know. Then who? It won’t be NJD, Shero already commit to spending money to show Hall & co. that this franchise will rise from the ashes. I think your options are Ottawa and Vancouver (who may keep him for one year and then BO or might just BO now). Other teams will be looking to extract something from TO, WPG, TBL for cost controlled players / futures

I doubt Toronto is looking for more LDs. Their lack of righties is well documented

Maatta for Hyman makes zero sense.

Negative cap impact for TOR

PIT gets a plug coming off a major knee injury
- Feds91Stammer

How does it not make sense? Gardiner will price himself out, but they still need to spend the money to replace him. They have other FA forwards they need to re-sign.

Really they should just buy JJ out
- Feds91Stammer

I agree, but there is 0% chance Rutherford does that. He is way too stubborn to admit his mistake let alone do something like buy him out.

I disagree with Ryan Wilson on a lot such as his style, how he talks down to his readers, and some of his hockey takes, but I agree with his take on Jack Johnson. Johnson didnt do anything this year crazy different than his final years in Columbus. Rutherford chose to reward those bad final years in columbus with a 5 year deal. He wasnt bad this year relative to the past few years so why would rutherford see anything bad about Johnson? The problem isnt just that we have a bad player on the payroll for $3.25M for the next four years. The problem is we chose to give a bad player a 5 years deal for $3.25M per.

Well Winnipeg is likely losing Hayes ($5.175) and I would assume the big piece coming back is Trouba (RFA, $5.5M) so I think they could make it work.

And with Arizona, I just think they need to make a push. They're just dwindling as a perennial bottom-12 team and every step forward is a step back. A big splash is what they need.

Just my 2 cents.
- jmatchett383

Schmaltz had 14 points in 16 games before getting hurt in game 17. That’s 1C production. They were top 2 in the league in injuries and #1 in impact of injuries. This reminds me of when FLA fired Gallant after half their roster was injured. The timing just doesn’t make sense to me

They have so many guys where they don’t know if they’re 35 point guys or 65 point guys and they’re all so young still. They may not even bring in a top 6 winger in the offseason, they might let a guy like Hinostroza, Garland, or Hayton take the next step and if there’s a gap Chayka has shown that he’s willing to make in-season trades

Ticket sales are up, ticket prices are up, they’re absolutely looking to make the jump to the playoffs but I think they’re going to let it happen in time and keep players around who Tocchet knows will play his game