What team could afford to gut their roster for Malkin, though? For the same reasons Pittsburgh should trade him (in this writer’s opinion) other teams should shy away from it for the same reason. One extremely talented player does not make up for losing many competent NHL players off of a team’s roster.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/16/10 at 09:33 AM ET

Well, no one saw this one coming. 

Admittedly, you could argue the trade from cold fiscal realities and promises of a great return. Pittsburgh has depth at center on the roster in Staal with system centers capable of playing his third role good enough. Getting a couple of young and capable wingers would seem ideal (with a bit of cap relief) would seem ideal. However, these deals often end up as failures, the extreme talents continued production and the return a bitter disappointment (Pittsburgh even has experience in that area). The chances of getting a sufficient return for Malkin aren’t that significant.

I would rather live with Malkin’s inconsistencies for now while hoping to see the full development of his immense talent. Especially only a year removed from his most successful and dominant season. Perhaps it’ll be an aberration, but more evidence is needed.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 09:47 AM ET

Retard Rob Rossi again never fails to disappoint!! Rossi Hates Geno !! Loves Staal & BLows MAF & Basice is a Short Bus Window Licking Retard who has been a FAILURE at everything he has EVER done in the Sports media

Staal’s development as a Selke Trophy candidate for his defensive work and offensive upside—at 21, he has produced three 20-goal seasons as a third-liner—gives the Penguins the option of trading Crosby or Malkin. Staal is a prototype No. 2 center and an emerging dressing-room leader.

1st off When has Staal EVER consistently proven he is a 2nd Line Center ??? Anyone Bueller Bueller ??? ANYONE ??

Also I didn’t Know you Got the Selke Nomination for your “offensive Upside”

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 10:08 AM ET

Rossi is so full of himself nowadays that he rarely posts an article that DOESN’T talk about how buddy-buddy he is with one of the players, or wants to make some journalistic splash to make himself seem like Mr. Hockey Know-It-All….

Did you see the video reports he was making in the last few games ?  He was actually on the ice, banging himself on the boards and at the blue line….

It’s actually funny reading how much of a joke he’s becoming online….

Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 05/16/10 at 10:20 AM ET

Well Tony I think the Proble is, The Trib sees Sports as a Necessary evil with Having paper, They are MUCH MORE WORRIED & INTERESTED In News & Especially POLITICS !! Which being a Libertarian Rep. I can’t appreciate That , But look at who their Columnists are Now & who they Have been in the Past & look at who the Beat Writers are for the Teams

I avoid Rossi like a Vampire avoids Sunlight & Holy Water

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 10:29 AM ET

“Retard Rob Rossi again never fails to disappoint!! Rossi Hates Geno !! Loves Staal & BLows MAF & Basice is a Short Bus Window Licking Retard who has been a FAILURE at everything he has EVER done in the Sports media “

Gee whiz, I wish for just once you tell us what you really think…..... 

Posted by Rdwings28 on 05/16/10 at 10:29 AM ET

Rdwings28

I am In the Pgh. area & I have had the Unfortunate “Ability” to see his career from the Beginning to now

Believe Me, Just ask Tony & I am sure he will agree with Me, Maybe not as vociferously as Me, But he will agree  

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 10:32 AM ET

We’d love to hear Tony’s unvarnished thoughts….. By the way I’ll say Hawks 4, Minnows 2. Habs 3, Phliars 1. Philly spends too much energy trying to do damage hitting, Habs get at least one breakaway goal.

Posted by Rdwings28 on 05/16/10 at 10:36 AM ET

Well, Staal is a strange bird to figure out….

His combination of offensive and defensive abilities, as a 3rd line center, are nearly unmatched in the NHL….

However, previous attempts at either moving him up to 2nd line center, or even putting him on one of the top two lines at forward have failed….

Now, is that worth $4M a year ??  That’s the question…..

In terms of Malkin, in my view you simply cannot trade world-class talent like that…  Have excellent/good players been traded recently ??  Sure…  I would think the Bruins are still hurting from the Thornton trade… And Heatley sure didn’t mind a change of scenery….

But those players don’t have the capability to frankly take a game over like Malkin “can”.... Now, he only had a couple of those type of games this past season…..

So because he didn’t have a MVP and/or Conn Smythe year, now GMRS must trade him ??

I would hope that GMRS is laughing when he gets reports on these rumors….

Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 05/16/10 at 10:49 AM ET

While I understand how you folks feel about Rossi, after all, you know his style better than I do, Matheson is writing just about the same thing.

You can probably expect the rumor fools to be all all over this in the coming weeks so if I were a Pens fan, I would just get used to it.

If they were to trade Malkin, I imagine the best way to do it is the way the Bruins handled the Thornton deal and keep it quiet as much as possible.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 05/16/10 at 11:23 AM ET

Rob Rossi has no clue about hockey. He suggested the Penguins reacquire Petr Sykora at the trade deadline this year. Enough said. He’s clueless.

Posted by cs6687 on 05/16/10 at 11:32 AM ET

While I understand how you folks feel about Rossi, after all, you know his style better than I do, Matheson is writing just about the same thing.

If they were to trade Malkin, I imagine the best way to do it is the way the Bruins handled the Thornton deal and keep it quiet as much as possible.

Yes Paul it was Started by the IDIOT from Hockey News John Grigg when questioned on the Fan 93,7 host Jon Seibel about would you trade one of the 5 Best players in the League, That Moron SCOFFED at Malkin being one of the 5 Best Players   HUH ??? he Did win the Scoring title a couple of seasons a go Didn’t He?? & Also won the Conn Smythe Trophy didn’t He ??& now the Bottom Feeders are picking it Up, Quite Frankly Matheson, Just Mentioned that IF it happened what Shero Could Get for him

Matheson isn’t much Better in My eyes!! He is writing a “Rumors” column every Sunday, So he has to fill it up with something

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 11:36 AM ET

How about let Gonchar go, use some of his $5mill and get a decent 1st-2nd line winger.  Then pray that Letang and Goligoski keep improving, and Despres is progressing well…that should make up for his loss on PP.

Then move Malkin to Sids wing full time since he sucks on faceoffs anyway…

Staal can then center the 2nd line with a few offensive guys…

Posted by Greg on 05/16/10 at 11:37 AM ET

Good Lord, WTF don’t you Understand about Geno being a CENTER Sid & Geno are Both Better with the Puck than without it!! SO unless the Other teams agree to play with 2 Pucks you Limit Both guys abilities

Staal isn’t very good at faceoffs either Lets move him to Sid’s other wing OK

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 11:46 AM ET

This is exactly what I knew would Happen The KOOL-AID drinkers are now parroting the Media morons, Geno had a “FOR HIM” Bad season & Playoffs , So lets trade Him, Hey Sid didn’t exactly play well in the 2nd round either lets trade Him, & Damn MAF was HORRIBLE all Playoffs except for 1 Game, Lets Trade Him too

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 11:49 AM ET

There are other solutions, and I would probably prefer to pair Malkin with Staal (mostly for defensive responsibility reasons), but Greg’s plan is superior to trading Malkin. Then again, most plans would be a better alternative to that scenario.

And, Evilpens, I think you could put all your substanse into one comment. 

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 11:58 AM ET

And, Evilpens, I think you could put all your substanse into one comment

Sorry Moq I thought of that after I had posted my 1st comment

& Geno was a Better Player all Around than Staal was now 2 Season ago that is why he was up for the MVP & why He won The Conn Smythe Trophy, Stop the KOOL -AID drinking!!, Was Geno good this season all around ?? NO, was He good Defensively this Season ?? NO BUT you Don’t move him to anyone’s wing

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 12:02 PM ET

Having a center play on a Wing if you can afford it is always nice.  I’ve thought quite a few times this year that Malkin might do better on a wing full-time.  While some people have stretched so far to say that Malkin is defensively below average, I won’t say that much, but I will say that his defensive game is behind Crosby’s and Staal’s and that making him Crosby’s winger would help limit the impact of the two areas of his game which are considered his weaknesses, faceoffs and defensive zone play.

Let Malkin cherry-pick just a little bit more and have Crosby hit him with outlet passes all day.  Any big forward who’s willing to take punishment in front of the net with those two should become a 15-25 goal guy, just on picking up rebounds.

Then, you have to get a decent offensive threat for Staal on the 2nd line.  Staal has pretty good production, but it seems like he has a problem finishing.

I’ll leave it up to people more familiar with the Pens to tell me who that would make their 3rd-line center.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/16/10 at 12:11 PM ET

NO BUT you Don’t move him to anyone’s wing

OK, realistically then, if you don’t trade Malkin and you don’t move him to Sid’s or Staal’s wing, and you don’t move Staal to Sid’s or Malkin’s wing, then how do you solve the problem of neither Sid nor Malkin having high-enough-calibre wingers?

Posted by Garth on 05/16/10 at 12:11 PM ET

OK, realistically then, if you don’t trade Malkin and you don’t move him to Sid’s or Staal’s wing, and you don’t move Staal to Sid’s or Malkin’s wing, then how do you solve the problem of neither Sid nor Malkin having high-enough-calibre wingers?

As I have Stated Many Times !! Staal has to be traded, He is NOT worth 4 Mill a year as a 3rd Line Center & doesn’t Have the Finishing Skills to his game to Play wing

If traded Someone would Overpay for Him & Voila There would be your Wingers for Sid & Geno, Kunitz stays & plays on Sid’s Line & you Use Tangradi or Nick Johnson on the Other wing for Geno’s Line.

You Still Have Talbot, Letestu & Dustin Jeffrey in the Minors as Guys who can Play the 3rd Line Center

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 12:39 PM ET

Good Lord there are People Pushing to Sign Matthew Lombardi & play him with Geno & Staal !! FACEPALM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 12:56 PM ET

How is a a teams best defensive player, a consistent 20-30 goal scorer, and all of that in his early 20’s not worth 4 million a year? Honestly, I’d rather have Staal at 4 million than Geno at 8.7. I’d prefer to keep them both, but if they’re going to trade one, make it Malkin. IMO it doesn’t matter anyway, I highly doubt they’ll be making any major moves this offseason.

Posted by Kstewy16 on 05/16/10 at 01:22 PM ET

However, the Penguins are also a one-and-done title team.

Done. Done! Done?
It’s a little early in the careers of most of the core players to right their biography just yet.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 01:24 PM ET

How is a a teams best defensive player, a consistent 20-30 goal scorer, and all of that in his early 20’s not worth 4 million a year? Honestly, I’d rather have Staal at 4 million than Geno at 8.7. I’d prefer to keep them both, but if they’re going to trade one, make it Malkin. IMO it doesn’t matter anyway, I highly doubt they’ll be making any major moves this offseason.

Brilliance !! because he is a 3rd Line Center That can’t be anything more than that He isn’t a winger because he has the Hands of Venus De Milo

Good Lord Another Clueless KOOL-AID drinker

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 01:31 PM ET

Trading Staal seems a little ridiculous with the recent Selke nomination, but I’ve read my share of eternal Staal critics to accept that nothing matters, Staal’s meagre $4 million is a giant obstacle to the future of the Penguins. Only another Cup would have postponed the nonsense for another few months. The truth is that neither Crosby, Malkin, or Staal needs to be traded anytime soon to ensure continued Pittsburgh success.

In modern hockey, the rigidity of center and wing roles are less pronounced. If the players know their roles offensively and defensively it’s not that important who’s the nominal center. Malkin occasionally as wing on a line centered by Staal will not deprive him of puck contact in the offensive zone, and it’ll help a lot defensively. Whether it could be a permanent solution is an interesting question. I assume that the three-center model will continue to be the desired solution, even with substandard wingers, but they did experiment a little this season without disastrous results. I wouldn’t object to giving the Malkin-Staal line a few extra looks. We wouldn’t be the first team to pool assets. Especially in a salary cap world where you can’t have everything.

I wouldn’t have a problem with Matthew Lombardi. Good wheels and attitude, and not completely inept with the right linemates.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 01:39 PM ET

BTW, Malkin today @ the IIHF World Championships: 1-2-3,+2. Just Sayin’.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 01:40 PM ET

BTW, Malkin today @ the IIHF World Championships: 1-2-3,+2. Just Sayin’.

Don’t remind me, they played against Denmark. Datsyuk had a hat-trick (thanks for tanking, Detrot!).

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 01:48 PM ET

BTW, Malkin today @ the IIHF World Championships: 1-2-3,+2. Just Sayin’.

And playing on the wing with Datsyuk (hattrick) at center and Kovalchuk on the other wing.

Posted by murphy from Slovakia on 05/16/10 at 02:04 PM ET

Good Lord Another Clueless KOOL-AID drinker

Seriously?  God forbid someone has a differing opinion from the almighty Evilpens.  Christ you’re annoying sometimes (all the time?).

Jordan Staal is absolutely worth the $4 million they’re paying him.  He’s probably worth more.  He’s getting 3rd-liner minutes…and STILL putting up 20+ goals and 40+ points on a consistent (3 out of 4 years) basis.  He’s THEE best penalty killing forward in the league.  I don’t think anyone could sway me from thinking otherwise.  He’s a Selke Trophy nominee this year…and he’ll probably win it sometime soon.

If the Pens hadn’t locked him up before he was a FA, he’d have gotten more on the open market.  $4 million for Jordan Staal might not be a “bargain”, but it’s pretty damn close to one.

That can’t be anything more than that He isn’t a winger because he has the Hands of Venus De Milo

He’s 21 years old.  How in the hell can you write him off as never being able to be any better than what he is now…already?  Ridiculous.

And I’ll take a guy who had played more than 300 games in a row and has 84 goals as a 21 year old than a LOT of other players in the league - including just about any $4 million winger you can come up with.

I’m with JJ on this one.  If ANYTHING, they should put Geno on Sid’s wing.  That would silence the “Sid needs a winger” crowd and eliminate Malkin’s faceoff deficiencies and/or any defensive liabilities (which…what the hell happened there?  I thought he was really good defensively last year…).  You move Staal up to the 2nd line and THEN you see what he can really do getting that type of playing time.  My prediction?  He’d become a 30 goal/60 point guy.

The dude is a beast.  He plays hard all the time.  Perennial 3rd line 20-25 goal scorer.  Best PK forward in the league.  If that isn’t worth $4 mil a year, I don’t know what is.

Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 05/16/10 at 02:25 PM ET

I always thought that Malkin could be an exellent winger,he is too good of a shooter for a center,have Staal center 2nd line and switch Malking between 1st and 2nd line,depending on opponents or importance of the games,...
maybe not signing Gonchar and some forward- if possible,get in a solid defensive defenseman and a top six winger,and you’re set

Posted by edillac from isolation on 05/16/10 at 03:02 PM ET

He’s 21 years old.  How in the hell can you write him off as never being able to be any better than what he is now…already?  Ridiculous.

because Genius his hands & Shot aren’t Going to get any Better !! I just love the “He’ll Grow into His Body” Mindset !

Like He had this INCREDIBLE growth Spurt where he went from a Munchkin to a To his size in a year !! he has always been big !!

& your Pissed because you’re one of the Staal KOOL-AID drinkers !! I Love the Prove he we never be anything more than he is now argument, Wait I’ll get in my time Machine & go ahead in time & then I’ll come back & tell you what he becomes OK?

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 03:37 PM ET

The question isn’t really what Jordan Staal would be but what he’s worth.

Evilpens, how much should it cost for a center who’s good for 20+ goals / 50+ points consistently with third line even-strength minutes who will lead your penalty kill and be a perennial Selke Trophy competitor?

Joe Pavelski, the 7th round pick is probably going to get around that much when he goes on the open market and I think Staal is more valuable than Pavelski.

So who do you think is out there for a scoring winger that you think a team will give up in favor of Staal?  Who around the league is he worth? You hinted that maybe they could get two scoring wingers for him…  are there two wingers out there (or, more realistically, a Winger, a prospect, and a decent pick) that you can think of that he’d go for?

What would this immediate winger have to bring to be worth it?  I’m assuming he’s going to get top line minutes, but probably won’t be as defensively good.  So is he going to have to be a 40-goal scorer and 70-80 point guy to make up for what you’re giving up in Staal?  That’s cool, but who can do that for around Staal’s $4M per year?

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/16/10 at 03:50 PM ET

Who around the league is he worth?

No matter if they trade Malkin or Staal the Pens will end up on the short end of the deal.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 03:56 PM ET

You CAN NOT Pay your 3rd Line Center 4 Mill a Year when you are already Paying Sid & Geno a combined 17.4 mill, That is 21.4 mill a year at 1 position, You could Have them all when the were under their Rookie Contracts, Now you can’t ! or you end up with Guerin, Kunitz, Fedostinko & Dupuis as top 2 line wingers & NONE of those guys are LEGIT top 2 Line wingers

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 04:00 PM ET

No matter if they trade Malkin or Staal the Pens will end up on the short end of the deal.

You mean as opposed to Sid & Geno having to put up with 3rd Line Wingers now short end of the deal ?

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 04:09 PM ET

Evil,
What first line winger can they get to pair with Sid that will add up to a better combo than the 3 first line ceters with third line wingers they currently employ?

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 04:16 PM ET

Well, Malkin as wing means that Staal will be a dirt cheap second line center, not to mention facilitate a dramatic increase in winger quality. Problem solved.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 04:17 PM ET

Well, Malkin as wing means that Staal will be a dirt cheap second line center, not to mention facilitate a dramatic increase in winger quality. Problem solved.

I like this idea better. They basically play all the PP togetther, try a season (a whole season) with Malkin on Sid’s wing.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 04:22 PM ET

I’m Not Ray Shero & I don’t Know who is available, BUT did you Not watch what Montreal did?? Neutralize Sid & Geno the Best you can & make everyone else beat you !

Tangradi isn’t going to be any better than What they had this year & their are no Wingers in FA in The Pens price range

They don’t have a LEGIT top 2 Line Winger on the Team !! The Pens are Like a Pitcher with a 98 MPH fastball , But can’t get anything else Over, Sooner or Later Hitters catch up to that Fastball & crush it

I don’t want to trade Staal, I am Not part of the Staal SUCKS crowd. It is reality Though Geno or Staal or going to have to be traded & what teams can Absorb a 8.7 Mill a year hit to their Salary Cap & also Trade what the Pens need ?? That Moron from The Hockey News Said The 1st Pick, Magnus Paarjaarvi-Svenson & Sheldon Souray ?? Souray @ 5.4 Mill a year for the Next 2 seasons ??? UMMM No thanks The Don’t need a Slightly Younger Gonchar!! & that is what Souray is He is a Train wreck Defensively & a PP specialist

That’s the HUGE problem with trading Geno!! is that team is going to want/need the Pens to take Back a Big Salary

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 04:26 PM ET

That’s the HUGE problem with trading Geno!! is that team is going to want/need the Pens to take Back a Big Salary

That’s my point and that player won’t be as good as Malkin. That’s why I think what Moq wrote makes the most sense.

Well, Malkin as wing means that Staal will be a dirt cheap second line center, not to mention facilitate a dramatic increase in winger quality. Problem solved.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 04:35 PM ET

The Problem is Geno & Sid are BOTH better with the Puck, That’s Not going to work out , Why do you think they haven’t done it yet??? Because they know that Geno isn’t a winger & & is better with the Puck & so is Sid & Staal Is Not Now Nor Never will be a 2nd Line Center !! He doesn’t Have the Hands, Offensive ability or Shot

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 04:38 PM ET

I’m sorry, but I don’t quite see the need to make a drastic change in order to build a team capable of beating the 19th best team in hockey.  The Penguins played right into the Montreal system and the Habs still barely escaped with a game seven victory.  Any great team can get surprised by a hot goalie.  This performance by Halak so far is the best by a goalie in the playoffs since J.S. Giguere in 2003.  You can’t count on a goalie being that good regularly; it happens about once every five years and is no reason to partially dismantle your long-term core for short-term results.

Besides, Pittsburgh’s defensive shortcomings were a bigger factor in their series loss and remains the biggest difference between this year’s squad and last year’s cup-winning team. Fortunately, the Penguins don’t have to trade Malkin or Staal to get another solid blueliner, since Gonchar’s departure (or playing like Gonchar again, either way) should help immensely.

The Penguins didn’t lose because they lack talent on the Wings, they lost because they couldn’t make the right adjustments, their defensemen generally didn’t play well, and Marc-Andre Fleury had a disappointing tourney (you could also use the “tired from playing so much hockey” excuse while you’re at it).

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/16/10 at 04:42 PM ET

We lost to Montreal for a variety reasons, not just as a result of roster composition. The mere fact that Crosby and Malkin allowed themselves to be neutralized that easily is a bigger problem than a solitary quality winger. You could also focus on gameplan adjustments, trade deadline failures, fatigue, and a host of other reasons. That doesn’t mean that the three center setup is obsolete, nor that the core needs to change. So let’s not mix apples and oranges after a bad fruit season.

Incidentally, San Jose’s Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley line makes a combined 21 million, and Washington’s three best paid forwards will soon reach the same number when Backstrom signs a new contract. Other teams do it differently. The key is exploiting the strengths of our best players. If results dictate that Malkin is better on wing that’s what you do. Preconceived notions or esthetic beliefs don’t matter in face of realities. But let’s see the results of the offseason and how the team plays before panicking. Fortunately, I know that Shero isn’t a panicky sort of guy (perhaps).

Of course, we could just trade Staal for Lucic and help Boston.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 04:43 PM ET

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 04:44 PM ET

The Problem is Geno & Sid are BOTH better with the Puck,

Sid is too good not to be able to play with a talented foward like Geno 5-on-5.  So I think it could work if they start out at the beginning of training camp and stick to it through out the season.
But we’ll have to disagree on that point which leaves me to say this : Then it looks like status quo . So get used to it, there will be no perfect teams in the salary cap era.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 04:46 PM ET

...and Marc-Andre Fleury had a disappointing tourney…

This is why they lost the series. They were badly outplayed in goal.
The Hab’s goalie was playing Smytty like and the Pens was up & down all series.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 05:03 PM ET

And to be clear, Friedman’s article doesn’t really support Evilpens argument beyond stating that successful players will earn more money eventually.

This is why they lost the series. They were badly outplayed in goal.

That’s too monocausal to be true in my opinion. You can emphasize various aspects, but failure is usually a blend of several destructive ingredients. Goaltending is just one of them.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 05:58 PM ET

monocausal

Hah? Sounds like some sort of STD.
But I do get your point.

Goaltending is just one of them.

But the biggest imo, but again I understand your point.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 06:11 PM ET

And to be clear, Friedman’s article doesn’t really support Evilpens argument beyond stating that successful players will earn more money eventually.

UMMM yes !!! Yes it does !! They Don’t Have a LEGIT winger who can score Goals like Hossa could when he was in Atlanta here & then in Detroit & Now Chicago

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 06:39 PM ET

From the Friedman article (bolded portion is mine, for emphasis):

Pittsburgh has only $11 million to sign seven players for next season, which means there are two choices: make a seismic change, or be patient and see if - like the 1981 Lakers - we just witnessed a one-year blip.

If I was Ray Shero, that’s the choice I’d make. Obviously, you have to tinker a little. But trading Malkin? Right now, that’s an enormous overreaction. In another year? Maybe.

Trading Jordan Staal is not tinkering a little.

Friedman goes on to explain that one of the biggest adjustments that needs to be made is Malkin’s attitude while praising Staal for what he brings.

Nobody is disagreeing that the Penguins need more scoring from their wingers, just that they need to dump Jordan Staal to get the wingers they need.  Basically, what Friedman is calling for is another Bill Guerin, a very motivated and underpaid forward around whom the locker room can rally.  The Red Wings had Dallas Drake in that role the year they won it and of course, Pittsburgh had Guerin last year.  These guys don’t have to be pricey.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/16/10 at 06:48 PM ET

No, it doesn’t. You have to read it all, especially the last paragraph.

Tell me you didn’t just pull the Hossa card. Good grief.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/16/10 at 06:53 PM ET

I’ve Read It, Their Defense Sucked, Didn’t have a Shutdown Pairing !! MAF Choked BIGTIME!! But When the 2 Wingers for Sid are Chris Kunitz & Bill Guerin that is DISGUSTING !!!! Kunitz is Matt Cooke 2.0 Guerin is Finished!!

No they Don’t Need to Put another Band aid over a Gaping Wound, No more over the Hill Farts on Sid’s Line!!

Good God !! Malkin’s Attitude has to be Better ???????????? Imagine Playing With Fedostinko & Talbot a 4 Liner !!! or Poni & Fedostinko, Or Nick Johnson

Also Sid got to have the trigger Spot on the PP while Geno got Shifted all over the ****** place

Sid is Great, But his biggest weakness is his shot & his Over passing on the PP, Geno Has to Be ther 100% of the Time Next season

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 07:34 PM ET

Notice the Score of the Philthy/Montreal Game ?? Camel Toe is Being SMOTHERED !!! funny how that Happens with a 3rd string Goalie huh?? OOOPS that’s right they Have a shutdown Defensive Pairing

Also Look at Staals Stats for the Playoffs Not Pretty, Definitely not Selke-Like

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 08:21 PM ET

Raping of the GREATEST Defensive team EVER Continues !!! 6-0 hahaha UMMM The Pens were TOAST!! Emotionally, Mentally & Physically & Combine that with Shoddy Goaltending at Best

Funny in that piece By Friedman He doesn’t mention that GM ripping MAF the Way he did Geno, Wonder why ???????????????????????? Maybe he wants acquire Geno, HMMMM The Ego maniacal Bryan(as In Lyin) Burke(As in Jerk)

Posted by Evilpens on 05/16/10 at 09:32 PM ET

because Genius his hands & Shot aren’t Going to get any Better !!

Because there isn’t a player in the league, let alone playing for the Penguins, that significantly improved his shot and when from a 35 goal scorer to a 50 goal scorer this year.  It’s impossible to improve your shot! IMPOSSIBLE!

Oh wait.

& your Pissed because you’re one of the Staal KOOL-AID drinkers !! I Love the Prove he we never be anything more than he is now argument, Wait I’ll get in my time Machine & go ahead in time & then I’ll come back & tell you what he becomes OK?

If not thinking like you means I’m a “KOOL-AID DRINKER !!!”, then pour me another glass pal.

None of this even makes sense.  What I think you’re doing is chastising me for wanting you to prove how you know Staal will become nothing more than what he is now.  I can’t even be sure because you can barely form a sentence without your brain melting away.  Presumably.  If that IS what you’re saying, then it REALLY doesn’t make sense.  Because you’re argument is that Staal will never improve.  How can that be your argument while you insult me for making one where I say a 21 year old player who is at least 3-4 years away from his prime has a better chance of improving his game than not?

Sid scored 51 goals and 109 points this year.  Geno had 28 goals and 77 points in a down year.  Staal had 21 and 49.  Scoring isn’t a problem.  It wasn’t a problem in the playoffs either - not even with these horrendous wingers the Pens supposedly have.  Kunitz, Guerin and Cooke all had 4 goals each (how many does Hossa have?  Heatley?  Clowe?  Versteeg?).  Dupuis, Talbot and Adams all had 2. 

Ineptness defensively and questionable goaltending (at times) - and, admittedly, an extremely hot goalie and team defense - was what did them in.  Tighten up the D around Flower with letting Gonch go and bringing in a more defensive minded d-man in his place would shore up those problems.

That’s my two cents anyway.  Of course, I’m not some f*cking doom and gloom guy who isn’t happy unless he has something to bitch about, so all I think they have to do is tinker.  They have a plan.  They have an extremely talented and young core.  It’s been proven by the last year’s Cup win and the previous year’s run to the Finals that this plan is one that can work if executed properly.  It’s all about production.  Now we’ll see how they reload - imagining Guerin, Fedotenko, Poni and Gonchar are all gone - and see how they stack up next year.  With Sid, Geno AND Staal…I would imagine that they’ll be contenders.  Again.

Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 05/16/10 at 09:49 PM ET

@ Evil

I will give you this , you are one persistent SOB,

FTR, Halak had at least one clunker in both of the previous series.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/16/10 at 10:36 PM ET

Good God !! Malkin’s Attitude has to be Better ???????????? Imagine Playing With Fedostinko & Talbot a 4 Liner !!! or Poni & Fedostinko, Or Nick Johnson

I want to just point out that you’re railing against a point in an article that YOU linked to help back your own case.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/16/10 at 11:43 PM ET

Yep that they missed a winger like Hossa !!

How would you Like to Have to Play with those TURDS on your Line, I Have watched the Pens for 30+ years !!I Have watched them Trade for Hossa & have him Get Immediately stuck on Sid’s Line, Traded for Kunitz & as soon as Sid was Healthy he was On Sid’s line, Traded for Guerin & stuck on Sid’s Line. Where as Geno Has had to put up with Fedostinko, Poni, Talbot, Johnson or whatever stiff they had left after Sid Got the Wingers he wanted

GM’s Don’t Go out & tell Reporters stuff like that with out an angle

Posted by Evilpens on 05/17/10 at 07:09 AM ET

Yep that they missed a winger like Hossa !!

That’s a nonsensical statement. Had Shero succeeded in signing Hossa at the rumoured amount, we would have even less money for Malkin wingers and a forward trio making more than $24M. If you want to make the “Staal for winger” argument, you have to mention better and more realistic options than Hossa. Of course, Chicago is in cap trouble and Hossa’s cap hit isn’t insane, they might just accept Kunitz in return (well, probably not).

The real Penguins problem is that the rebuilding of our farm system hasn’t caught up with our success, or to be exact, the primary picks have catapulted Pittsburgh to contention faster than we’re developing secondary talent. Acquiring someone like Hossa in 2007-08 wasn’t the part of ingenious plan but seizing sudden opportunity. That worked out well, paved the way for a Cup, and we’re still building on that. However, the farm system is still in its infancy. You can argue the quality of our current talents, but it’s foolish to abandon longterm consistency for uncertain gain.

Shero will continue building the farm system and keep us competitive by tinkering with the roster using cheap additional pieces as talents develop. That’s the proper strategy in my opinion.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/17/10 at 01:15 PM ET