Last Modified: May 13, 2012 12:30AM
Their greatest strength has become their biggest question: How do the Penguins keep three elite centers, each headed for his third NHL contract?
Short answer: They probably don’t.
Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin. Jordan Staal. You have come to know them and love them, but you had to figure a breakup was possible someday.
And, yes, Crosby belongs in the discussion, at least in theory. Moving him is a notion that never would have arisen if not for his concussion crisis. It’s now a fair topic.
This coming summer, though complicated by an expiring collective bargaining agreement, could change everything. To deny the strong possibility of one of The Big Three leaving is to deny reality.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero won’t dodge the issue. He knows better than anyone just how real it is.
“We have these three center icemen, which is an unbelievable thing,” Shero said. “But in a salary cap system, when guys get into their second contracts, it’s difficult, let alone their third. How’s that going to shake itself out?”
Staal and Crosby have a year left on their deals. Malkin has two. The Penguins can open negotiations with Crosby and Staal on July 1.
Sure, they could lavish all three with mega deals, but at what price to the rest of their roster? And even then, Staal would have to want to be here. Still just 23, he is the key. If he is willing to maintain a support role and take less than the open market might offer, beautiful. Problem solved.
But why would he do that?
Would you?
If Staal’s wishes are to play on a top-two line and a No. 1 power play, can the Penguins appease him?
“Well, we’ve got Crosby and Malkin, I mean, they’re unbelievable players,” Shero said. “The good news is that Jordan has developed into one of the top two-way centers in the game — and the center-ice position is almost impossible to find.
“The question is a valid one in that here he is, a third-line center, as they say. He’s a third-line center that plays 20 minutes, I know, but what can his potential be? Those are the questions he might be asking himself.”
Staal hasn’t said much, but his answer to the Trib’s Rob Rossi was telling. Asked how The Big Three could remain content long-term in Pittsburgh, Staal replied, “That’s a very good question.” The only answer could be a trade.
So who?
Blasphemous or not, moving Crosby might make the most sense. He is the biggest risk to sign but could fetch the sweetest return.
The franchise would survive. Crosby would have given the Penguins everything they could have imagined the day they won his rights: stability, a new arena, a Stanley Cup. His legacy would be secure.
Then again, how do you say goodbye to an icon who remains the most prolific point producer on earth and is only 24? It’s unthinkable that Mario Lemieux would part with a such a player, not to mention a de facto family member.
More likely, Crosby signs a monster deal. Which is hardly a bad thing, so long as he stays healthy. A full summer of workouts should have him primed for next season.
That would leave Malkin or Staal. No easy choice, but I’m keeping Staal. The puzzle makes more sense that way. Staal is the perfect No. 2 center, a massive defensive presence and a rapidly emerging offensive threat.
In terms of a potential role, Staal complements Crosby, whereas Malkin replicates him. The Penguins have two of the same in Crosby and Malkin: two franchise centerpieces, two No. 1 centers, two guys who like to run the power play from the same spot.
It’s a “problem” every team would take, of course, but in the Penguins’ unique conundrum, it’s probably time to pick a lead horse.
Any route they take will be fraught with risk.
My guess is the Penguins will move Staal, viewing Malkin as an insurance policy for Crosby. But if I’m Lemieux, co-owner Ron Burkle and Shero, and I’m dead set on rolling the dice with Sid, I sign Staal and fortify my roster with the return for Malkin. His value — likely league MVP with two years left on his deal — is sky-high.
It’s the best answer to an impossible question.
Joe Starkey co-hosts a show 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays on 93.7 “The Fan.” His columns appear Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at jraystarkey@gmail.com
I would be interested in feedback on this idea. I am not in favor of moving Malkin, largely due to the fact that I like the fact that Staal is different or complimentary to the big two as Starkey notes, ableit he use Crosby as the example. I need to know does he say this due to the fact that he does not see any chance the Penguins move Crosby, and he really believes in Staal? Or does he think it is Malkin either way? Starkey is getting crushed for this idea, and part of it is due to the fact there is not attempt to quantify what comes back in a Malkin trade, and who is the target? I don't embrace the idea of moving 71 given the health risk of Crosby, but I don't get angry when some others propose this, as it is in agreement with the thought I have of too many superstars, just selects a different mega power to trade. Thoughts on this? Interested to see if anybody has the balls to propose a Crosby trade?
I would be interested in feedback on this idea. I am not in favor of moving Malkin, largely due to the fact that I like the fact that Staal is different or complimentary to the big two as Starkey notes, ableit he use Crosby as the example. I need to know does he say this due to the fact that he does not see any chance the Penguins move Crosby, and he really believes in Staal? Or does he think it is Malkin either way? Starkey is getting crushed for this idea, and part of it is due to the fact there is not attempt to quantify what comes back in a Malkin trade, and who is the target? I don't embrace the idea of moving 71 given the health risk of Crosby, but I don't get angry when some others propose this, as it is in agreement with the thought I have of too many superstars, just selects a different mega power to trade. Thoughts on this? Interested to see if anybody has the balls to propose a Crosby trade?
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