Do the Pens blow it up?

[JustAsking]

I'm really interested to see how Shero handles Letang next year.

You have to approach it like Staal... you don't want him going into a UFA year not being resigned. He would hold ALL the power. (Same foes for Malkin and to a lesser extent Kunitz)

 

[flyersfan4706]

I still think Edm is a good partner for Malkin... They need a #1 center and the Pens could get a solid #2 center and winger... would Malkin waive his no trade clause to go play Yakopov (sp?) Them or the Blues.

Letang played like piss... but we have no one to replace him. Malkin will fetch more as well. I sing a different song each day regarding these two.. but I think it's fair to say, one of them will be traded.

I don't buy into the Malkin rumors even if Dreger tweeted it, but Malkin to the Blues seems perfect.

 

[raptorlife4]

Malkin to the Sharks? Maybe Marleau and pieces?

 

[raptorlife4]

I wouldnt be surprised to see the Leafs as big players this offseason as well

 

[pixburgher66]

Sorry, Letang is the guy I see moving, not Geno. The Pens are loaded with D prospects from a similar mold...and he's going to get around $7M on the market. Pens CANNOT handle that. I also think that there'll be a good haul for Letang. Montreal is one team I'd look to, but that's merely because of his roots. Anaheim is one that seems to have been looking for that puck mover forever. Heck, the list of teams that would like him is probably long...but the ones that can afford him is a bit less. With Letang going, there's Despres to momentarily replace him and a few down the line...if you move Malkin, there is no semblance of a replacement for what he brings.

 

[pixburgher66]

Gosh this offseason is going to be incredibly emotional.

 

[JustAsking]

The problem with those prospects, they are YEARS away from eating the minutes Letang gets and being Norris trophy contenders (if any of them will be) No one on the current roster can replace Letang. And a trade will not bring his replacement either. Malkin can be replaced by Sid, we already have a #1 center... Malkin can get turned into a #2 winger and #2 center. Seriously, I change my tune all the time... Pens can afford one of them, but not both.. that I'm confident in saying

 

[puckhead]

I also think the Pens need a goalie long term. Welcome to Philly land

LUONGO!!!

 

[pixburgher66]

The problem with those prospects, they are YEARS away from eating the minutes Letang gets and being Norris trophy contenders (if any of them will be) No one on the current roster can replace Letang. And a trade will not bring his replacement either. Malkin can be replaced by Sid, we already have a #1 center... Malkin can get turned into a #2 winger and #2 center. Seriously, I change my tune all the time... Pens can afford one of them, but not both.. that I'm confident in saying

I think you're under selling how hard it would be to replace Malkin...and how hard it is to get centers. The TYPE of D man Letang is is hard to replace too, no doubt. Despres can play, and honestly a few of those Dmen aren't far off. Not next year, but definite possibility after that.

 

[JustAsking]

LUONGO!!!

I think the Pens are alright in the goaltending position, for next year and long term.

I still have faith in Fleury ( I never liked Meloche as a coach or player). Matt Murray, Sean Macguire or that Lowell Umass goalie, will be an NHL goalie... and there is always Theissen in the interim...he'll get a chance next year (when either MAF of Vokoun gets hurt for a few games)... I like Murray's size.. and I like Macguire's past season.

 

[rares]

Malkin to the Sharks? Maybe Marleau and pieces?

No, no, no.. just no, please.

Do not want Malkin... or rather, don't want to give up what it's going to take to get him.

Especially since he's going to be a 1-year rental.

 

[pixburgher66]

Dropping this in here, in case the whole world doesn't know it...John Gibson.

 

[JustAsking]

I think you're under selling how hard it would be to replace Malkin...and how hard it is to get centers. The TYPE of D man Letang is is hard to replace too, no doubt. Despres can play, and honestly a few of those Dmen aren't far off. Not next year, but definite possibility after that.

Let me ask you a question, would you pay a 3rd line center 6 mil per year?

And how do you know they aren't far off... I really don't recall any of them sniffing one second in the NHL.

 

[JustAsking]

Again, I am very North American bias. Malkin is super talented... but, he lacks the drive at times, and... well, compared to others, he's hockey dumb.

 

[JustAsking]

I really have no idea... I would rather keep Letang and move Malkin, but the Pens won't offer Letang the money HE thinks he is worth... the Pens will find themselves in a pickle.

 

[JustAsking]

Let me ask you a question, would you pay a 3rd line center 6 mil per year?

.

To me, the answer is no. Staal was not going to be a 3rd line center, he was going to be the 2nd line center. The Pens showed this past off season, IMO, that they have no problem moving Malkin... no way you pay a 3rd line 6 mil per year.

I didn't mean to sound jerky regarding the defensive prospects... they first have to prove, to me, they can play in the big leagues before saying they aren't far off... I assume you meant, aren't far off from playing regular NHL minutes.

 

[JustAsking]

I think the Pens are alright in the goaltending position, for next year and long term.

I still have faith in Fleury ( I never liked Meloche as a coach or player). Matt Murray, Sean Macguire or that Lowell Umass goalie, will be an NHL goalie... and there is always Theissen in the interim...he'll get a chance next year (when either MAF of Vokoun gets hurt for a few games)... I like Murray's size.. and I like Macguire's past season.

Me questioning you Pix, and stating the above... the hypocrisy is not lost on me!

 

[BF4L]

Coach will get canned and IMO he should not. Look back to 2010 when Malkin and Crosby both were out for the season. That Pens team played awesome. 2010-2011 Adams award winner.

 

[pixburgher66]

To me, the answer is no. Staal was not going to be a 3rd line center, he was going to be the 2nd line center. The Pens showed this past off season, IMO, that they have no problem moving Malkin... no way you pay a 3rd line 6 mil per year.

I didn't mean to sound jerky regarding the defensive prospects... they first have to prove, to me, they can play in the big leagues before saying they aren't far off... I assume you meant, aren't far off from playing regular NHL minutes.

I'm not sure how the Staal situation, which is resolved, has much to do with this debate. I don't think paying a third line center that money makes sense...hence the trade. Malkin is 1B center anyway.

 

[pixburgher66]

Coach will get canned and IMO he should not. Look back to 2010 when Malkin and Crosby both were out for the season. That Pens team played awesome. 2010-2011 Adams award winner.

I know that a few of his postseason failures have come with built in excuses, but if the didn't come in the way he did, this isn't even a discussion. Can't discount him being the coach when they won a Cup...but that roster and team mentality wasn't even his. It's a league you have to adapt to survive in, and well, that's something he's not too good at.