Bob McKenzie: Kovalev will likely end up in Pittsburgh

[forty_three]

DO IT. I don't care if he sucks.

DO IT. I do care that he sucks.

 

[Dacks]

Pens are done with "future building" until the offseason in my opinion (we're not going to give up any more significant assets at the moment). I see a low conditional pick for Kovalev (low-risk, high-reward...he either pans out for 25 games or gets the Sykora treatment) and some other low-end or mid-tier asset for a bottom pairing, stay at home D.

This is exactly how I feel. The market has to be pretty small for Kovalev, but he's the perfect risk for Pittsburgh. And it kind of hints to me that Shero expects Crosby back this year. If not, why even waste a low pick?

If Crosby comes back, getting Kovy and a defensively sound vet D to pair with Engo (or Niskanen I guess) would make me happy.

 

[JustAsking]

I don't think the Pens are allowed to at the moment... but the Pens should and will trade Malkin. It makes sense. They can get another winger and save a bit of money. Hey, it doesn't look that bad...

Neal-Crosby-Trade
Kunitz-Staal-Dupuis (resign)
Cooke-Letestu-TK (resign)
Rupp (resign)-ROOKIE (Jeffery)-Talbot(resign)

 

[pixburgher66]

I won't buy into any trade Malkin stuff until I see how the team works without him, but with Sid. It's the perfect test really. I can't give up on Geno when I saw him dominate in the '09 Post-season.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I don't think the Pens are allowed to at the moment... but the Pens should and will trade Malkin. It makes sense. They can get another winger and save a bit of money. Hey, it doesn't look that bad...

Neal-Crosby-Trade
Kunitz-Staal-Dupuis (resign)
Cooke-Letestu-TK (resign)
Rupp (resign)-ROOKIE (Jeffery)-Talbot(resign)

There's no way they should trade Malkin. If Shero has no choice but to trade one of the three centers it's an easy decision. See ya Jordan.

 

[evolver115]

I won't buy into any trade Malkin stuff until I see how the team works without him, but with Sid. It's the perfect test really. I can't give up on Geno when I saw him dominate in the '09 Post-season.

I second that, and I'll take it a step further.

I want to see Geno skate on a line with either Kunitz or Neal as his full time winger, next season. Malkin has got the shaft for the past couple of years when it comes to talent skating along side of him. If one of those two guys are able to complement Geno I believe his scoring production will only go up.

 

[Jared]

I would love to see Malkin traded, but I guess I'm in the minority. He's very streaky, and is paid like someone who is not very streaky. I think he would benefit by having his "own" team, and the Pens would benefit by what he would get in return.

I wish we could trade for Nash, he is far and away my favorite non Penguin in the league. I doubt it would be feasible or possible, but it sure is fun to think about.

 

[JustAsking]

Please don't take anything I said as me giving up on Malkin. But, to me, trading Malkin makes sense.

Of the three centers, Malkin is the least likely to resign with the Pens. Sid will be a lifer I assume and Staal is cap friendly. Staal won't sniff 8.7 million on his next contract. Trading Malkin for a 30+ goal scorer (cap value around 4 million), prospects, and high draft picks, is, IMO, the best way to build around Fleury, the defense, and Sid.

 

[pixburgher66]

I would love to see Malkin traded, but I guess I'm in the minority. He's very streaky, and is paid like someone who is not very streaky. I think he would benefit by having his "own" team, and the Pens would benefit by what he would get in return.

I wish we could trade for Nash, he is far and away my favorite non Penguin in the league. I doubt it would be feasible or possible, but it sure is fun to think about.

I sort of agree. But the Pens would be insane to give up on him. He needs another season, especially next season, to get back to his-self.

 

[pixburgher66]

There's no way they should trade Malkin. If Shero has no choice but to trade one of the three centers it's an easy decision. See ya Jordan.

Jordan is more versatile and cap friendly though...it's tough. I do think that eventually one of the three goes, but not for another season at the LEAST.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Jordan is more versatile and cap friendly though...it's tough. I do think that eventually one of the three goes, but not for another season at the LEAST.

Sorry I just think it would be a HUGE mistake. Having Crosby & Malkin makes it impossible to focus on just 1 superstar.

Trading Staal makes more sense & the return would still be a big haul.

 

[pixburgher66]

Sorry I just think it would be a HUGE mistake. Having Crosby & Malkin makes it impossible to focus on just 1 superstar.

Trading Staal makes more sense & the return would still be a big haul.

I know what you mean. I'm thinking down the road anyway, when Geno's contract talks pick up. I mean, the guy will be in his prime years, who's to say he won't want a raise? If he'll take a little less (8mil?) I'd be happy, but that's far off anyway, and Shero's a lot smarter than us fans, he knows what the team needs. And if he were to deal either of them, it'd have to be for a TON.

 

[loki604]

Sorry I just think it would be a HUGE mistake. Having Crosby & Malkin makes it impossible to focus on just 1 superstar.

Trading Staal makes more sense & the return would still be a big haul.

Pens will never trade Staal. He's way too versatile. Malkin would be out before him. Malkin is pretty much on an 18 month slump. He provides consistency next year or he's gone. You don't pay 8.7 million for a point per game player. If the Pens still believe in the three center model, they can get a guy for five million that will score 75 points.

 

[loki604]

As an addendum to my last comment...I don't think the Penguins will do it because he seems to be the antithesis if what Bylsma and Shero look for.

Still...it's a Comrie situation. Comrie hasn't done shit for us this season thus far. But it really doesn't matter at all. He's not hurting us. I guess you could argue Zherdev could cost us a game or two with his poor defensive play. But I've seen enough of Bylsma...Zherdev wouldn't last three games if he made a couple shitty defensive efforts that led to goals. So why not? The X factor here is if Zherdev really wants to play in the NHL next year. If he does, he's going to see this as a tryout. If not, then he will less than halfass it.