I just hope that Malkin is getting into that Viktor Tikhonov kid's ear at the worlds. Older than Panarin and less skilled, but has good size and his two way game has apparently developed well in the KHL even though he didn't work out with the Yotes. With his ability to play center and wing, he could be a very nice addition to the third line if he can't be a top 6 forward. Having another depth player on an ELC would do wonders and make Sutter that much more expendable.

Pacioretty, Eller and De La Rose for Malkin?

I do not think Montreal would do it. Pacioretty cap hit at 4.5M$ is amazing, I really like Eller (but I know many Habs fan hate him ) and De La Rose should be very solid!
- Mike Komisarek

Malkin has full control on where he goes and he is more likely to stay than do anything. There is no reason to trade him. The deal would have to be HUGE. The three you mentioned would have to come with draft picks as well, becuase you have to remember that we are not shopping him, so you will have to overpay to get Pittsburgh to think about it (including getting ownership to ok the deal, Malkin is a franchise name)

Then we'll take him
- znagle

Yes, he is a top 5 player in the NHL. If Perron goes for a first, what do you expect malkin to go for? Pac, a part time roster player and so-so prospect? Not happening.
- znagle

The Malkin I've seen in the last few years might not be a top five player in the NHL. He averaged 65 games, 71 points. Certainly not bad at all, but he all the sudden has some questions. Sure, he doesn't have talent flanking him, but he has missed over 50 games the last three years and has a salary north of nine mill per.

You and I brought up the same prospect, so ... maybe De la Rose since he actually has made it to the league?

Asking for Patches in addition to either Gallagher or Galchenyuk and their top prospect is a bit much. It doesn't do Montreal any good to even consider it because they would be worse off. They have trouble scoring to begin with, so that guts them almost entirely. It's just like the idea of Colorado sending Landeskog, Duchene and a first (which I've seen), or Duchene, ROR, Barrie and a first (another beauty).

The Malkin I've seen in the last few years might not be a top five player in the NHL. He averaged 65 games, 71 points. Certainly not bad at all, but he all the sudden has some questions. Sure, he doesn't have talent flanking him, but he has missed over 50 games the last three years and has a salary north of nine mill per.

You and I brought up the same prospect, so ... maybe De la Rose since he actually has made it to the league?
- Oneonta Penguin

Just because he had a sprained ankle and didn't get a point in 5 games this post season where we could only muster a goal or so a game doesn't mean that Geno is suddenly terrible. He'll command Pac, Galch + high prospect no question.

I'm still in the Frolik camp. Or trade sutter and sign a 3rd line center.

The team needs to create an asset not trade away assets we have. We have too few assets to work with. Only way to create an asset is to talke someone into signing as UFA at a reasonable cap hit.

5.5/year might be too high, but if you can talk him into 4.5/year then you are basically signing a Kunitz replacement. Then you can trade Kunitz for a second. The team wouldn't take on much salary and we got younger and added a 2nd.

I'm still in the Frolik camp. Or trade sutter and sign a 3rd line center.

The team needs to create an asset not trade away assets we have. We have too few assets to work with. Only way to create an asset is to talke someone into signing as UFA at a reasonable cap hit.

5.5/year might be too high, but if you can talk him into 4.5/year then you are basically signing a Kunitz replacement. Then you can trade Kunitz for a second. The team wouldn't take on much salary and we got younger and added a 2nd.
- sditulli

Highly doubt we can talk Frolik into 4.5 mil. All about turning Sutter into assets and signing Soderburg for 4 mil or less.

Just because he had a sprained ankle and didn't get a point in 5 games this post season where we could only muster a goal or so a game doesn't mean that Geno is suddenly terrible. He'll command Pac, Galch + high prospect no question.
- znagle

Malkin is the single biggest chip Pittsburgh has to deal. His return trumps that if you combine all the returns to the guys people want to deal put together - Sutter, Kunitz, Scuderi, Spaling ... et al. That said, he has missed quite a few games over the last three years, makes a ton of money (north of 9 million) and hasn't been a 100-point producer since 2011-12. That seems eons ago. Talent wise, he is a top five player in the NHL WHEN HE IS HEALTHY. Guess what ... he has missed quite a bit of hockey.

I think people get too carried away on his worth. Very talented and should be worth a hefty return, but some of the ideas I see are way over the top. Teams that send those types of packages get worse and there is no incentive to do such a deal.

We are going to have to agree to disagree

Highly doubt we can talk Frolik into 4.5 mil. All about turning Sutter into assets and signing Soderburg for 4 mil or less.
- Victoro311

Frolik isn't worth that though. He isn't a high end player to command that type of money.

Frolik isn't worth that though. He isn't a high end player to command that type of money.
- usethe1-2-2

I agree with this. However, if he ever played up to his skill set, he would be very close to being worth it. He hasn't thus far.

Frolik isn't worth that though. He isn't a high end player to command that type of money.
- usethe1-2-2

Doesn't matter if he's worth it or not. He's the only young top 6 talent in this UFA pool, so even though his actual value is around 3 mil he'll get 5, and likely under preform the duration of his contract.

I agree with this. However, if he ever played up to his skill set, he would be very close to being worth it. He hasn't thus far.
- Oneonta Penguin

This statement right here is why GM's lose their jobs. I personally believe that he is too risky for market value. With that said, he is an upgrade at left wing over just about all of our left wings (with the exception of David Perron)

Doesn't matter if he's worth it or not. He's the only young top 6 talent in this UFA pool, so even though his actual value is around 3 mil he'll get 5, and likely under preform the duration of his contract.
- Victoro311

Oh, I meant worth it to us. I'd rather not have him signed long term, unless you can sign him and dump Kunitz for draft compensation.

This statement right here is why GM's lose their jobs. I personally believe that he is too risky for market value. With that said, he is an upgrade at left wing over just about all of our left wings (with the exception of David Perron)
- usethe1-2-2

The kid has never had a 25-goal season or a 50-point season, but has some pretty good talent. His results don't match his skill set. I know he has played for some underwhelming organizations, but he looks like an enigma to me. He certainly is an upgrade; he is young too. That said, he is a huge risk for the market as well. He will get overpaid because the FA pool sucks ass. Same poop as last year with Brooks Orpik.

It doesn't matter in the end though. Whenever the CBA expires, we will have another lockout; management and ownership will cry poor, but they are the idiots that drive up the prices on mediocre talents and enigmas like Frolik.

Malkins return trumps anything else we can get, but we also lose malkin.

Most cup contenders have 2-4 legit difference makers plus a lot of good players. Losing a difference maker is far tougher than finding the spare parts.

Atleast if we have Malkin we can dream of a cup.

Perron takes a step forward. We have some cap space so either sign Frolik and he blossoms to a 27 goal score or sign Soderberg and dish Sutter for a top 6 winger. kapanen comes of age early. Poulio/Maata/Dumoulin become good NHL defenders and Fleury maintains his play from this year.

Under a scenario like that we could put together a contender. Some of those are long shots but you always have a shot that the spare pieces blossom all at once and you make a run.

As long as the team is A) Has the 3 stars healthy (Crosby, Letang, Malkin) B) Has a few ELC guys C) Is willing to spend to the cap

Then we have a chance at filling out a team around the stars.

Malkins return trumps anything else we can get, but we also lose malkin.

Most cup contenders have 2-4 legit difference makers plus a lot of good players. Losing a difference maker is far tougher than finding the spare parts.

Atleast if we have Malkin we can dream of a cup.

Perron takes a step forward. We have some cap space so either sign Frolik and he blossoms to a 27 goal score or sign Soderberg and dish Sutter for a top 6 winger. kapanen comes of age early. Poulio/Maata/Dumoulin become good NHL defenders and Fleury maintains his play from this year.

Under a scenario like that we could put together a contender. Some of those are long shots but you always have a shot that the spare pieces blossom all at once and you make a run.

As long as the team is A) Has the 3 stars healthy (Crosby, Letang, Malkin) B) Has a few ELC guys C) Is willing to spend to the cap

Then we have a chance at filling out a team around the stars.
- sditulli

People who want the status quo to remain; believe underachievers take a massive step forward; want to make expensive deals for enigmas and believe Sutter brings a top six forward in return are people destined to be disappointed this time next year as well.

Everything you mentioned needs to happen in order for this team to challenge for the Cup. However, injuries are destined to happen to certain players and others will grossly underachieve, so ...

What's not to say a return for Malkin can't turn into two difference makers? The return for Malkin isn't a collective bunch of spare parts.

We have had the same core together for a while and while the yield has brought a SC and another SC final berth, it has yielded NOTHING since, so ...

Frolik = The New Tlusty

Frolik? Really people? Its come to this?

So, we have crappy contracts with Kunitz, Duper, Scuds. Some of you want to go sign Frolik and pay him something close to $5 per, some even willing to go above $5 per?

Dear god....just stop it already.

Do people watch other teams play? Could any of you wanting to sign MF point him out in a perp lineup?

Pretty crappy top 15 UFA list....

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ke-green-justin-williams/

You could add every one of those guys to our current roster and we still wouldn't win a Cup.

The kid has never had a 25-goal season or a 50-point season, but has some pretty good talent. His results don't match his skill set. I know he has played for some underwhelming organizations, but he looks like an enigma to me. He certainly is an upgrade; he is young too. That said, he is a huge risk for the market as well. He will get overpaid because the FA pool sucks ass. Same poop as last year with Brooks Orpik.

It doesn't matter in the end though. Whenever the CBA expires, we will have another lockout; management and ownership will cry poor, but they are the idiots that drive up the prices on mediocre talents and enigmas like Frolik.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yup, I have to agree with the majority of this. It will be a bank breaker. To think that for 6 mill you could have a combo pairing of Carl Soderberg at center and Curtis Glencross at left wing. Value.

Frolik = The New Tlusty

Frolik? Really people? Its come to this?
- 87_71_11_29

*Tlusty fan*

Great tweener who can play a solid 200ft game. Has already peaked. Would definitely sign him if term was 3years or less.

So, we have crappy contracts with Kunitz, Duper, Scuds. Some of you want to go sign Frolik and pay him something close to $5 per, some even willing to go above $5 per?

Dear god....just stop it already.

Do people watch other teams play? Could any of you wanting to sign MF point him out in a perp lineup?
- 87_71_11_29

Yeah pretty much. Frolik has potential, but he's 27 and is still only showing flashes. I'd rather have him than Tlusty, but for 5 mil he can go diddle himself in corner. If we are going to try to sign Frolik, it needs to be at a moveable contract in case he doesn't pan out. I highly doubt that his price tag in a UFA pool where he's the only young top 6 option will be moveable.

What I wouldn't mind at all is Jagr at a couple mil for a year or two. Would spark our PP and could be a bridge over while Kapanen develops. Wouldn't make us younger or faster, but would certainly make us better and he'd be cheap too. Too bad he's old and wants to spend the rest of his days in the retirement community known as Florida.

Yup, I have to agree with the majority of this. It will be a bank breaker. To think that for 6 mill you could have a combo pairing of Carl Soderberg at center and Curtis Glencross at left wing. Value.
- usethe1-2-2

Much rather overpay for Soderberg than Frolik. At least we know Sods can be a phenomenal 3C for us and overpaying him would only entail a 4 mil cap hit maybe less. Considering we'd ship Sutter that's only .7 mil more on the books. Who knows if Frolik and his 5 mil of ledger would succeed in a top 6 winger roll.

Much rather overpay for Soderberg than Frolik. At least we know Sods can be a phenomenal 3C for us and overpaying him would only entail a 4 mil cap hit maybe less. Considering we'd ship Sutter that's only .7 mil more on the books. Who knows if Frolik and his 5 mil of ledger would succeed in a top 6 winger roll.
- Victoro311

From the *experts already, Soderberg is said to have an expected cap hit of 3mill AAV, but wants term. 5 year 15 mill for him. It could force Sundqvist to wing, which might be easier to for him earlier in his career to jump right in.
The problem is, a lot of teams will be gunning for him. Trading Sutter would have to wait until he signs, in order to get the best value you grab someone who wanted Carl and sell them on Sutter.

If we sign him then try to trade Sutter it puts of the wrong message about Sutter.

*Tlusty fan*

Great tweener who can play a solid 200ft game. Has already peaked. Would definitely sign him if term was 3years or less.
- usethe1-2-2

Signing Tlusty doesn't solve the problems here. I wouldn't even sign him at all.