Not disagreeing but it’s not just our D. Our forwards abilities to get open and cut through lanes to make room for each other is BRUTAL. The Islanders breakout was so much more efficient. They would have a guy start moving up the ice, dish off to a guy on the wall who would dish it right back and then they would have 3-4 guys flying at 2-3 of ours. It happened all the time and it was excellent
- WSCTeton17

Hard to win playoff games when one team is playing exceptional systematic hockey that they've been perfecting all year and the other team is freelancing.

That series looked worse because a lot of the top guys who carried the team all year played awful and it exposed the players behind them couldn't pick them up.

I think you need to give Geno the benefit of the doubt here. Claiming his heart wasn't in it is a lazy, short-sighted and unprovable statement. You're also completely disregarding his injury(ies) in 2018-19. As mentioned several times on this blog, he also mostly played on the 2nd line with the infamous Jack Johnson. Put his underwhelming season on the staff, not him.

Again, the Pens should not trade Geno unless the return is an offer that cannot be refused.
- MikeyKay

Genos injury and problem was simple to figure out this year. Happened to Getzlaf recently as well. Any Dad knew it in November. Hell there was even an article written a while back in the fantasy writers realm of "being dad in the nhl those first few years and production going down".
Hell, i skipped Geno in my draft last season soley due to it too!!

The age affect is also kicking in, but I'd bet Geno is back this year with fire!!

They call terrible twos for a reason..im sure 3sc/conn smyth/hart didnt matter at all this year to him.

Your kid's only young once especially with that trophy case already pretty filled.

I always had a thing for Crosby. Those lips weren't made for talking.
- jmatchett383

I think Pierre already has dibs

He's not going anywhere until they hang his jersey in the rafters. This defense first BS needs to end. Time to get back to scoring goals and not worrying about Evgeni backchecking every shift. That cap hit is low and he can't be replaced.

Genos injury and problem was simple to figure out this year. Happened to Getzlaf recently as well. Any Dad knew it in November. Hell there was even an article written a while back in the fantasy writers realm of "being dad in the nhl those first few years and production going down".
Hell, i skipped Geno in my draft last season soley due to it too!!

The age affect is also kicking in, but I'd bet Geno is back this year with fire!!

They call terrible twos for a reason..im sure 3sc/conn smyth/hart didnt matter at all this year to him.

Your kid's only young once especially with that trophy case already pretty filled.
- Little Katarina

Spot on

Disagree...Its a business. If moving Malkin makes the team better then so be it. Keeping a player around because he helped you win in the past makes no sense to me. He deserves nothing more than his $9.5mil contract. Its no different than any other job.

Ray Bourque retired a Bruin
Peyton Manning a Colt
Jordan Bulls

Malkin can retire a Pen if he wants.
- sammy87

Ray Bourque retired as a Colorado Avalanche.

Ray Bourque retired as a Colorado Avalanche.
- WhaleCanes

#77 is retired in Boston.

If I could trade Malkin for Huberdeau and a 1st, The guy I'd be going after for 2C would be William Karlsson over Matt Duchene

Vegas would be looking for Prospects or Picks - The FLA #13 and ???

Assuming Kessel somehow becomes Zucker (directly or indirectly)

McCann Crosby Guentzel
Rust Karlsson Huberdeau
Hornqvist Bjugstad Zucker
Simon Blueger ???

Lot of good reliable 2-way play there, And they'd still have a solid PP1 - And they'd be way, way younger

If I could trade Malkin for Huberdeau and a 1st, The guy I'd be going after for 2C would be William Karlsson over Matt Duchene

Vegas would be looking for Prospects or Picks - The FLA #13 and ???

Assuming Kessel somehow becomes Zucker (directly or indirectly)


McCann Crosby Guentzel
Rust Karlsson Huberdeau
Hornqvist Bjugstad Zucker
Simon Blueger ???

Lot of good reliable 2-way play there, And they'd still have a solid PP1 - And they'd be way, way younger
- RoloTahmasee

Vegas would be looking to upgrade their center position. They are pretty thin up the middle. Stastny hasn’t had 20 goals in a season since like 2014. Karlsson is a solid player, but he had 22 less points this year. If they trade Karlsson, it would be for a better center (IE. Malkin). I’d be ok with a Malkin/JJ for Karlsson+ if they either got a guy like Shea Theodore or Alex Tuch with Karlsson. Then maybe Kessel accepts the Wild deal for Zucker since Geno is gone. This also makes the team younger and if Karlsson signs, those players are on decent contracts for long term

Vegas would be looking to upgrade their center position. They are pretty thin up the middle. Stastny hasn’t had 20 goals in a season since like 2014. Karlsson is a solid player, but he had 22 less points this year. If they trade Karlsson, it would be for a better center (IE. Malkin). I’d be ok with a Malkin/JJ for Karlsson+ if they either got a guy like Shea Theodore or Alex Tuch with Karlsson. Then maybe Kessel accepts the Wild deal for Zucker since Geno is gone. This also makes the team younger and if Karlsson signs, those players are on decent contracts for long term
- drummer829

Have you seen their cap situation? They won't be adding any salary this offseason. They're over the cap and they don't even have Karlsson under contract - He'll go for picks/prospects, or they'll move out someone else for same

Vegas is ripe for the picking tradewise except they need to move guys out and can't take any money back. Haula will be back next year and he could slot back into the 2C spot, Eakin plays 3C, they also have Cody Glass in the pipeline. Vegas is deep on the wings, not the middle

Have you seen their cap situation? They won't be adding any salary this offseason. They're over the cap and they don't even have Karlsson under contract - He'll go for picks/prospects, or they'll move out someone else for same

Vegas is ripe for the picking tradewise except they need to move guys out and can't take any money back. Haula will be back next year and he could slot back into the 2C spot, Eakin plays 3C, they also have Cody Glass in the pipeline. Vegas is deep on the wings, not the middle
- RoloTahmasee

So why would they trade their 1st line center if they need help at center? They still have a ton of picks this year and could easily package a 3rd round pick to dump some cap space. They would most likely move a winger rather than a center. Karlsson won’t go anywhere unless they’re getting a clear upgrade at center.

So why would they trade their 1st line center if they need help at center? They still have a ton of picks this year and could easily package a 3rd round pick to dump some cap space. They would most likely move a winger rather than a center. Karlsson won’t go anywhere unless they’re getting a clear upgrade at center.
- drummer829

1) Karlsson is their second line center - He WAS their 1st line center in their inaugural season

2) Haula scored 29 goals as their 2nd line center before he was hurt

3) Karlsson is going to want 7.5 million minimum and term on his next deal, That puts a huge hole in Vegas depth and long term planning when they already have cheaper options

4) Cashing out the Karlsson asset isn't bad management. You can never have too many prospects or too much depth. The return they get for Karlsson could be packaged up at the deadline for a better player at a cap hit they can afford

5) They don't need help at Center. Vegas has unreal depth over all 3 lines. The strength of that depth is on the wings. "Strengthening" the Center position will cost them wing depth, which won't necessarily make the lines any better

I suspect Vegas will plan to keep Karlsson regardless, but it isn't a must and depending on what they have to give up to do so, time will tell if it's the right decision. Doesn't mean he couldn't be targeted in a trade

I think it makes sense. Don't forget that McCann may be able to jump into that 2C spot. That 3.5 million saved can also go a loooonnggg way if we are able to dump a D man for a center. Ummmmmm. Maata + Pens first rounder could very well land you a separate 2C also. Or, gauge Duchene's interest first.

Regardless, it's a decent return as Huberdeau will most likely out perform Malkin going forward. Or, at least, it's trending that way.

Ray Bourque retired as a Colorado Avalanche.
- WhaleCanes

Ray Bourque is an embarrassment. Begging for a trade so his skeleton could tag a long for a cup.

still can’t help but imagine the overpayment of a Matt Murray trade.

Ray Bourque is an embarrassment. Begging for a trade so his skeleton could tag a long for a cup.
- Grinder47

A skeleton who had 59 points in 80 regular season games and 10 points in 21 playoff games the year they won the cup....from the blueline....

1) Karlsson is their second line center - He WAS their 1st line center in their inaugural season

2) Haula scored 29 goals as their 2nd line center before he was hurt

3) Karlsson is going to want 7.5 million minimum and term on his next deal, That puts a huge hole in Vegas depth and long term planning when they already have cheaper options

4) Cashing out the Karlsson asset isn't bad management. You can never have too many prospects or too much depth. The return they get for Karlsson could be packaged up at the deadline for a better player at a cap hit they can afford

5) They don't need help at Center. Vegas has unreal depth over all 3 lines. The strength of that depth is on the wings. "Strengthening" the Center position will cost them wing depth, which won't necessarily make the lines any better

I suspect Vegas will plan to keep Karlsson regardless, but it isn't a must and depending on what they have to give up to do so, time will tell if it's the right decision. Doesn't mean he couldn't be targeted in a trade
- RoloTahmasee

Can't really see Vegas shopping Karlson. I think the only center I have heard being shopped was Turris. I believe if we traded Malkin the Florida Trocheck would probably be one of the main pieces discussed. If the trade was for Huberdeau and a 1st. I would assume we would have another deal in place for a C, or JR would roll with Bjugstad and McCann being our 2nd and 3rd line Centers as discussed above. Which if that is the case I would assume one of the 1st round picks or both would be traded.

I still think a Trocheck and Hoffman for Malkin deal makes more sense for Fla if they bank on landing Panarin. It essentially will be them losing Trocheck and Hoffman for their 1st/2nd line and instead have Malkin and Panarin which is an upgrade to an already good line. I feel they would add Dadonov to that line and have one hell of a line. If they did trade us Huberdeau and a 1st. I wonder if it would be JR saving cap space for a FA signing. Or I wonder if he would try to trade one or both first round picks for the rights to someone like Laine or Marner. It would be interesting to see what JR does. As many have stated earlier though. I believe it all starts with a Kessel trade. If it is a one for one Zucker swap it leaves the door open for many options. If it is Kessel and JJ to Coyotes for younger players and a 1st. Then maybe he is opening up cap space. If he follows a Coyote deal with the rumored trade of Huberdeau and a 1st then I definitely see him going heavy into free agency.

A skeleton who had 59 points in 80 regular season games and 10 points in 21 playoff games the year they won the cup....from the blueline....
- MattStrat

No respect for players who buy Stanley Cups. Imagine if Mario said I’ll go play here a year so I can get a cup. It’s a bad look.

No respect for players who buy Stanley Cups. Imagine if Mario said I’ll go play here a year so I can get a cup. It’s a bad look.
- Grinder47

I see where you're coming from but I look at the other side of it too. They dream of hoisting their whole life and then the opportunity is there in your last years as a pro. He gave the Bruins all he had for a very long time and never reached that dream. He paid his dues and made a professional decision to reach his ultimate goal and dream. He wasnt just a passenger in the season or cup run, he was a factor.

Ek's had "Malkin wants to be The Man" trade rumours ever since he was drafted.

No respect for players who buy Stanley Cups. Imagine if Mario said I’ll go play here a year so I can get a cup. It’s a bad look.
- Grinder47

You know the Bruins approached him with the trade offer, right? He didn't ask to be traded. The Bruins came to him, told him they had a good offer and that they weren't making the playoffs the next 2 years, and told him that he could either end his career in Boston or help both the team and himself, but that they would let him decide. He decided to accept the trade and ended up winning the Cup.

And his 1+ season totals in Colorado (73 points in 94 games, 19 points in 34 playoff games) as a 39-year old defenseman isn't exactly being a passenger or a "skeleton" as you put it.

Can't really see Vegas shopping Karlson. I think the only center I have heard being shopped was Turris. I believe if we traded Malkin the Florida Trocheck would probably be one of the main pieces discussed. If the trade was for Huberdeau and a 1st. I would assume we would have another deal in place for a C, or JR would roll with Bjugstad and McCann being our 2nd and 3rd line Centers as discussed above. Which if that is the case I would assume one of the 1st round picks or both would be traded.
- 123Kid

There are Kadri rumors like every day and he has back to back 30 goal campaigns in more of a 2C role. Rolo’s post on Vegas was prettt accurate. HB has actually had really good Vegas bloggers. Karlsson May very well be shopped and they might roll with Stastny, Haula, Eakin as their centers. They also have Clarkson’s contract to unload and the rumor is they would trade a D, it just still wouldn’t be enough to keep Wild Bill is the assumption. That contract they gave to Fleury was obviously such a mistake. It was way too early and for too much. Imagine if they let Fleury walk and they gave that contract to Lehner

No respect for players who buy Stanley Cups. Imagine if Mario said I’ll go play here a year so I can get a cup. It’s a bad look.
- Grinder47

I don’t agree with this at all. The player doesn’t get to pick who his GM drafts, signs, or trades for and when he finally earns the right to go to a team he thinks gives him the best shot at winning you think he’s betraying his team? He’s doing what he feels is in his own best interest. He had a hell of a career and wanted to check a box off his resume. Is it ideal when it happens? No, but I don’t think it’s a bad look. If Thornton signed with a contender on a discounted contract I wouldn’t blame him, unless it was Boston for obvious raisins

Ray Bourque is an embarrassment. Begging for a trade so his skeleton could tag a long for a cup.
- Grinder47

wut.