Shero will be haunting this team for the next 10 years.....

I would listen to offers for Malkin, but let it be known the price is going to be steep...The problem is, maybe Malkin says, hey...I only want to be traded to these 3 teams...odds are, they aren't going to be bad teams..so the return I don't think will be anything close to his value.

No ... no one has it here. When you have Crosby and Malkin, it forces a "win now" mentality that has his this organization hard. This leads to retarded decisions (Murray for two second rounders; Iggy (a non need) for a first and middling prospects and so on.

Sure, bad decisions have been made. However, I laugh at the people who think this changes in the offseason if Kunitz, Spaling, Sutter, Scuderi get dealt. That brings you back little in return. You get low picks and middling prospects. You don't see anything in return that helps next year's roster.

The only way you can move forward is looking to see what is out there for Malkin. You have a chance to certainly change the outlook of this franchise with the right move from a balance standpoint; from a cap standpoint; from a depth standpoint and from a talent standpoint.

Your main female dog is with a guy that makes 700k, another that is making 1 million that has given 15 goals; a mid season trade that cost Pittsburgh little money and a fourth line center. It's lunacy. Fact is this, we have a weak top six. Take away Crosby and Malkin, we only have one top six forward worth a poop (Hornquist). You female dog about third and fourth line guys, but yet our talent in the top six is embarrassing absent 71 and 87.

I really think you need to look at the roster once again to see where the weaknesses are. While there are weaknesses in the bottom six, its not as bad as our top six.
- Oneonta Penguin

If you take Tampa's top 6, they amount to 357 points, compared to Pittsburgh's top 6, you get 315. I use Tampa because they are the highest scoring team in the league. And that is totalling Perron's entire season, including points from EDM. One would hope he would excel a little better in a full season in Pittsburgh, so we can assume his numbers will go up. Comeau and Hornqvist both missed nearly 20 games... so you can assume that number will go up. So I would estimate the Pens top 6 to, not necessarily be right with Tampa, but to be in the vicinity of 335-345. There is nothing wrong with that top 6 at all.

The problem, like you said before, is with depth, when the guys in the top 6 miss games, the other guys (Downie, even Sutter) step up and put points up to help, but NO ONE in the bottom 6 can help. By properly evaluating talent and getting rid of terrible hockey players like Lapierre, Adams, Sill, etc... and replacing them with adequate hockey players, that can contribute.. (which because most of our drafts were spent on defense, must be acquired via FA.) you search for the bargain players, the comeau's, fehrs, brian boyles of the game. And if you can maybe acquire a veteran presence like JJ, do it, it will help BALANCE out the roster with a trickle down effect, while players like Kap, Sunq, and maybe even Zlobin try to improve their game in WBS.

Shero will be haunting this team for the next 10 years.....

I would listen to offers for Malkin, but let it be known the price is going to be steep...The problem is, maybe Malkin says, hey...I only want to be traded to these 3 teams...odds are, they aren't going to be bad teams..so the return I don't think will be anything close to his value.
- Thorny

They definitely have to be western teams. Colorado could make an interesting offer if duchene was involved

They definitely have to be western teams. Colorado could make an interesting offer if duchene was involved
- drummer829

You would have to sell Malkin on it though. I think he likes being the 2nd guy, I think he enjoys not having the spotlight be on him or the lead guy. He doesn't want to be the face of a franchise. I think thats why Pitts fans love him so much, its like the opposite of Jags...if Malkin got traded, people would still love and cheer him. How many teams out west have what the Pens would want?

You would have to sell Malkin on it though. I think he likes being the 2nd guy, I think he enjoys not having the spotlight be on him or the lead guy. He doesn't want to be the face of a franchise. I think thats why Pitts fans love him so much, its like the opposite of Jags...if Malkin got traded, people would still love and cheer him. How many teams out west have what the Pens would want?
- Thorny

STL, Nashville, Colorado, Calgary and depending on their prospect pool, I see an interesting idea with Winnipeg.

You would have to sell Malkin on it though. I think he likes being the 2nd guy, I think he enjoys not having the spotlight be on him or the lead guy. He doesn't want to be the face of a franchise. I think thats why Pitts fans love him so much, its like the opposite of Jags...if Malkin got traded, people would still love and cheer him. How many teams out west have what the Pens would want?
- Thorny

I was trying to think of possible teams malkin may want to go and where the pens could get decent value. Maybe Colorado with their last year success (I believe they did have a better 2nd half to the season this year). Blues could make things interesting with a backes, tarasenko+ deal. I remember rumors about the Kings wanting malkin, but I don't want any of their players unless it's a mega deal. Kopitar, doughty+ for malkin and letang

STL, Nashville, Colorado, Calgary and depending on their prospect pool, I see an interesting idea with Winnipeg.
- Oneonta Penguin

Excepting the Kane trade, the Jets have been an awfully conservative team on the trade front

I like where your head is at but no way Montreal makes that trade.
- brienstel

Doesn't' have to be that trade, a package from a team similar like that works. We could even throw a mid pick at them and a later one. Giving a team a top 5 player and a third line younger center wouldn't leave them exactly bare with what they would be sending out. Hell, I would even send them Bennett.

I was just trying to show that with the cap spread out more, that we would be much better off. I love Geno, but I think half of us here can agree that we would rather have a full team instead of 5 top 6 players. If he is ever traded I'll still watch Geno's games and everything, but I think it's best for our team. Sid will never be traded. He's a notch above every player skill wise, and also from the marketing standpoint. He's way too valuable to the Pens.

Remember 71 has to want to play in the location.

I would imagine MTL, BOS, ANA, COL, SJ, VAN as good possibilities where he would want to go. Maybe PHX.

Throw EDM, PEG, TOR, FLA, TBL, DAL, NJ, NYI, NYR, CAR, NASH, PHI, CBJ, BUF, STL, off the list.

PHX could be Boedker, Hanzel, 1st+Sutter or BB

CO Could be Duchene, MaC, 1st +Sutter or BB.

Everyone says they need to retool this team but yo cant trade crap for treasure. Not too keen on the FA market but i dont think that is a great way to re build. NYI did a good job, but they also already had many pieces.

Excepting the Kane trade, the Jets have been an awfully conservative team on the trade front
- BulliesPhan87

Totally understand that. They are Edmonton basically. I had an idea that would be pretty good, but it needs to be scrapped since the second NHL player coming back is a UFA and could be had in the offseason.

Remember 71 has to want to play in the location.

I would imagine MTL, BOS, ANA, COL, SJ, VAN as good possibilities where he would want to go. Maybe PHX.

Throw EDM, PEG, TOR, FLA, TBL, DAL, NJ, NYI, NYR, CAR, NASH, PHI, CBJ, BUF, STL, off the list.

PHX could be Boedker, Hanzel, 1st+Sutter or BB

CO Could be Duchene, MaC, 1st +Sutter or BB.

Everyone says they need to retool this team but yo cant trade crap for treasure. Not too keen on the FA market but i dont think that is a great way to re build. NYI did a good job, but they also already had many pieces.
- sammy87

The free agent market sucks this year. You won't find too many gems. Pittsburgh will need to trade to get better.

So who are we going to make look like the next Patrick Roy tonight? Who's tending for Buffalo?
- madmike71

Nolan says Lindback starts tonight.

Malkin didn't do anything this year to deserve to be traded. It would be DUMB.

Malkin didn't do anything this year to deserve to be traded. It would be DUMB.
- Barnaby36

Cant trade trash for treasure. Pens have 2 top 6 holes to fill, 2 top D spots to fill and basically the bottom 2 lines.

IF the Penguins ever do decide to trade Malkin senile JR is the last person I want to do it.

Cant trade trash for treasure. Pens have 2 top 6 holes to fill, 2 top D spots to fill and basically the bottom 2 lines.
- sammy87

We have cap space and others to trade. I wouldn't trade Malkin at all. Our best forward throughout the year alongside Hörnqvist and Crosby.

We have cap space and others to trade. I wouldn't trade Malkin at all. Our best forward throughout the year alongside Hörnqvist and Crosby.
- Barnaby36

Who do you trade? Kuni? Aint worth crap after this season. Sutter? Couldn't land anything. BB? Scuds? None of those guys bring anything of value the other way.

Frolik is probably the best F available in FA and he will command close to 6mil. I really dont think Dumo and DP are ready to fill the roles of Hoff and Martin.

Who do you trade? Kuni? Aint worth crap after this season. Sutter? Couldn't land anything. BB? Scuds? None of those guys bring anything of value the other way.

Frolik is probably the best F available in FA and he will command close to 6mil. I really dont think Dumo and DP are ready to fill the roles of Hoff and Martin.
- sammy87

Again: we have cap space and others to trade. Malkin is not an option. Why not trade Crosby then? I know I know.

Ive already started drinking...no need to wait till after...this way, I won't care as much when they lose

Who do you trade? Kuni? Aint worth crap after this season. Sutter? Couldn't land anything. BB? Scuds? None of those guys bring anything of value the other way.

Frolik is probably the best F available in FA and he will command close to 6mil. I really dont think Dumo and DP are ready to fill the roles of Hoff and Martin.
- sammy87

Whether they are or they aren't, I'm pretty sure at this point they take over and you ride the wave. Let them learn, might hurt, but might be the best possible option.

Who do you trade? Kuni? Aint worth crap after this season. Sutter? Couldn't land anything. BB? Scuds? None of those guys bring anything of value the other way.

Frolik is probably the best F available in FA and he will command close to 6mil. I really dont think Dumo and DP are ready to fill the roles of Hoff and Martin.
- sammy87

Sid and geno proved they don't need star wingers to be effective. You have Sid,malkin, Perron, horn, and Kunitz, for 5 of your top 6. Frolik would be ideal (for me) but there quite a bit of depth guys who could be huge in the bottom 6. I'm hoping comeau, downie, and winnik are resigned. I honestly wouldn't mind keeping sutter given the fact there's really no better 3rd line C in free agency. Ehrhoff I think could be resigned for a little cheaper due to his season with injuries.

Perron-Sid-horn
Kunitz-malkin-Frolik
Bergenheim-sutter-winnik
Downie-sundqvist-comeau

Most of those guys in the bottom 6 can be plugged into the top 6 in case of injuries

Ive already started drinking...no need to wait till after...this way, I won't care as much when they lose
- Thorny

I've started too........ Not sure how to feel, actually.

Whether they are or they aren't, I'm pretty sure at this point they take over and you ride the wave. Let them learn, might hurt, but might be the best possible option.
- j.boyd919

Yeah I think you have to at this point. Maybe sign a mid level Dman, gotta move or buy out scuds.

The only Pens that have value are 87, 71, 58. Anyone else doesn't really help much and I dont think you can move 58 at this point. 3 maybe, but after 2 shoulder surgeries, its a risk to take him on.

I would love to keep 71 but I just dont see a way to keep them both and address all the teams needs. Too bad Shero didn't trade him and kept Staal.

Even if the return isn't much, I'd like to see our underperforming veterans jettisoned for what we can get, resign the good acquisitions JR made, and start next season with an extended tryout for some younger guys from WBS. Retool the roster over the course of the season. I'm not expecting anyone to light the world on fire, but at least it would save us money and give some guys a chance to establish themselves. The only FA that really intrigues me is Soderberg. I'd just really rather exhaust every option before trading a core piece like Malkin.

Sid and geno proved they don't need star wingers to be effective. You have Sid,malkin, Perron, horn, and Kunitz, for 5 of your top 6. Frolik would be ideal (for me) but there quite a bit of depth guys who could be huge in the bottom 6. I'm hoping comeau, downie, and winnik are resigned. I honestly wouldn't mind keeping sutter given the fact there's really no better 3rd line C in free agency. Ehrhoff I think could be resigned for a little cheaper due to his season with injuries.

Perron-Sid-horn
Kunitz-malkin-Frolik
Bergenheim-sutter-winnik
Downie-sundqvist-comeau

Most of those guys in the bottom 6 can be plugged into the top 6 in case of injuries
- drummer829

I threw that idea out the other day for those lines. I like it other than Sutter. I think he and BB gotta go. It would be great if Kap makes the team and Kuni gets bumped to the 3rd. Im a bit over Comeau at this point. I like Winnik but he's not worth the 2nd. You should have to trade high picks for a guy like that.