Malkin possibly on the move?

This is nothing more than a rumour blogger's opinion as I read it on a blog on the hockey news, but John Grigg's has mentioned that Pittsburgh should move Malkin as they have a log jam at the center position and will be facing cap issues in the near future. This is the proposed deal he is suggesting.

Malkin and a fifth round pick to Edmonton for the first overall selection, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson and Sheldon Souray

I am sure Souray is just a salary dump for Edmonton, which is crucial in the cap era, however, the possibilities of Taylor Hall playing with Crosby, then having MPS in the fold for Pittsburgh would just be scary beyond belief.

Here's the link to the blog:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33579-THNcom-Playoff-Blog-Penguins-must-trade-Malkin.html

Not really a rumour. It's more of a blogger's musings.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Not really a rumour. It's more of a blogger's musings.

musings, that is most correct, but maybe something the Pens have to consider so they don't end up like a chicago in 3 years or less.

Who knows but Malkin has to be moved if Pitts wants to create that dynasty they want. Malkin isnt the answer in Pitts and they would be better off getting two guys like MPS and Hall.

As for Edmonton, I dont see how Malkin wouldnt be a great fit there. You add him to Penner, Gagne, Hemsky, that's a very solid lineup up front.

That being said, it wont happen like EV said.

N4L wrote:Who knows but Malkin has to be moved if Pitts wants to create that dynasty they want. Malkin isnt the answer in Pitts and they would be better off getting two guys like MPS and Hall.

As for Edmonton, I dont see how Malkin wouldnt be a great fit there. You add him to Penner, Gagne, Hemsky, that's a very solid lineup up front.

That being said, it wont happen like EV said.

What are you talking about? He had an off-year but he's only a year removed from an Art Ross and a Conn Smythe (with 36!! points in the post-season). There's no "answer" needed here; they've won a Cup and made the Finals twice and their two best players are 23 and under. They just ran into Halak this season.

Besideswhich, do you honestly think that Hall and MPS, if they hit their potential, are going to cost less combined than Malkin's $8.7 million? Plus they've just taken on a salary dump in Souray.

Kovalfie wrote:

N4L wrote:Who knows but Malkin has to be moved if Pitts wants to create that dynasty they want. Malkin isnt the answer in Pitts and they would be better off getting two guys like MPS and Hall.

As for Edmonton, I dont see how Malkin wouldnt be a great fit there. You add him to Penner, Gagne, Hemsky, that's a very solid lineup up front.

That being said, it wont happen like EV said.

The problem is Malkin won't re-sign back as a UFA when his contract is up. With Eberle, Hall, MPS, etc they have three years under entry level contracts, then have to go through RFA status, etc totalling more than what Malkin has left on his contract. Way too much potential to give up for a guy that won't be happy in Edmonton.

I think EDM makes the deal AND signs Kovalchuk.

SpezDispenser wrote:Yeah, I'm not sure it's a good idea to move Malkin personally. When the 3 centers are firing on all cylinders, they're near impossible.

What they need to do is have a couple of guys on ELCs come in and play wings for them.

Trade Kunitz, let Guerin ride into the sunset, let Gonchar walk (this will kill) and try to fill the wings with exciting, speedy players who have a nose for the net. Which is what they'll do.

Nathan Horton perhaps? With Tallon in Florida, maybe anything is possible, even though I would want Murray to get first dibs on Horton, but with our cap situation, not happening.

Well, you dont have to worry about that for a long time if you are The Pens, plus you bring in guys to help Crosby.

I dont like what Ive seen from Malkin in the playoffs for except for basically 3 series they have played total, and all 3 were last year. IMO The Pens would have more success with a solid group of wingers playing with Crosby and Staal then they would with Staal, Malkin, and Crisby down the middle. Yes, they won a cup but I still think Malkin is the key to The Pens being good for a long time and it starts with dealing Malkin.

Horton would be such a sweet fir in Ottawa with Weiss, both of whom are defently on the table and could have been moved at the deadline this year.

Kovalfie wrote:I'd personally look at trading Staal's very reasonable contract and picking up a winger in return. It's a waste to have a guy that good playing on the third line.

And with his Selke nomination this season, this might be the right time. That contract he's got is only going to get sexier by the year. He could fetch a tidy sum.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Kovalfie wrote:
Matt Cullen?

I was thinking Ray Whitney personally.

Ray would be a great fit but I would be shocked if he left the Canes.

Kovalfie wrote:I'd personally look at trading Staal's very reasonable contract and picking up a winger in return. It's a waste to have a guy that good playing on the third line.

All things considered, I would rather Staal centering the 2nd line then Malkin, add in the fact Malkin would fetch a ton... a lot more then Staal.

N4L wrote:

Kovalfie wrote:I'd personally look at trading Staal's very reasonable contract and picking up a winger in return. It's a waste to have a guy that good playing on the third line.

All things considered, I would rather Staal centering the 2nd line then Malkin, add in the fact Malkin would fetch a ton... a lot more then Staal.

agreed on that one, especially for teams looking for a #1 centre, now if Shero pulled the trigger or not, that is the question, I don't see it.

Exactly, Pitts doesnt need 2 number 1 centers, they need some 1st line wingers. Staal can do the job as a number 2 center, hell he may be the best number 2 center in the game at this point. Getting Crosby help on his wings is an absolute must.

SpezDispenser wrote:In fact, look no further than Chicago, they can provide some cheapish wingers.

Kane, Versteeg, and Buff all make 3 mil plus...

Point Im making is Malkin isnt the number 1 center there and despite winning The Conn Smyth he shows up when he wants, has been invisable on a lot of nights and basically cant be counted on when his team mates need him. He's there sometimes but you question a lot about the guy.

Pitts needs good wingers, not cheap ones.

I would rather have Staal as my 2nd line centers at 4 mil then Malking there at close to 9. There is no shot there is a 5 million dollar gap between them.

SpezDispenser wrote:It's an intriguing debate, I can see both sides. I wouldn't do it personally, but I can see where it would have to be done.

I think it's coming to crunch time if this ever gets done. Maybe you hang on to him this season and see what happens. But in 11-12, you have the end of both Crosby and Staal's contracts looming the following season.

If you chose to hang on to Malkin, you probably dealt (more) draft picks to surround Crosby with aging, band-aid solutions. I would make the pre-emptive move now.

I think you will see a very similar path to what Spezza has taken in terms of Malkin. Domiante when young until the everyday grind takes it's toll and you get 1/2 efforts and a discouraged player.

I would take Malkin over Staal too, but would I take Malkin over Staal at an extra 5 million, no I wouldnt. I dont even flinch or think about it if that's the case.

Staal would be a very, very good 2nd line center in Pitts and saving that extra 5 mil is huge. The Pens need real solutions on the wings. Just like FFS said, so far they are just bandaid solutions.

They won a cup with Malkin and Crosby down the middle, but there is no shot they would have won one without Staal. I would try to add a lot more character to The Pens if I was Shero because it is lacking where it counts right now and that's with Malkin. The Sens are in a similar situation with Spezza, we just dont have a Crosby ahead of him.

Big Ev wrote:When Malkin was hurt this season, Staal did nothing to show he could step up and his play declined (as per Penguins fans), whereas Malkin elevated his game a ton when Crosby got hurt two years ago. At this point I don't care about the money, when you're talking about arguably the 3rd best player in hockey I think you can only deal him over Staal if your're blown away by an offer. I'd rather keep all 3 though and get 1 great winger to play with one of them. Just my 2 cents.

Malkin is not the 3rd best player in hockey, he might be the 3rd best Russian, but 3rd best player, no shot. You're not even including defensemen but that's fine, I see what you're saying.

When you're talking about the cap money is an issue, ignore it if you want but fact of the matter is with Crosby and Malkin taking up over 17 million on the cap it is almost impossible to fill team needs. Hell, they are going to lose Gonchar, who's stepping in for him? Gonna have to spend some money. Flurry is making a good chunk too.

Staal at 5 million + less then Malkin, way better on top of the fact Staal seems to have a lot of character and will eventually be a leader on that team. Like I said, Malkin is a lot like Spezza in the sense he might have very well peaked very early in his career in terms of production. If Malkin every left Pitts he would have some serious trouble without GOnchar and Crosby.

Datsyuk, 100%. You find very few people who dont take him over Malkin every single time.

I wont argue that but there is no way you can claim Malkin in a top 3 player. There are probably almost 10 player I would rather have on my team then Malkin, probably more.