My take on the which of the three centers do we trade debate

The debate around the Penguins right now seems to be which of three big centers will have to b traded given the cap space issues and probable desire and availability of Staal to earn 6 to 7 milllion dollars per year AND be a key player on a team v a support type player.  The general consensus seems to be that the Penguins will move Staal as the other two have the ability to claim "best in show" on an annual basis.  That is more than true on both counts too.  However, if the talk is about the fact that the team cannot keep BOTH mega talents, then the consensus seems to be that Malkin is the guy to go.    The one thing that does not seem to be in play is the idea of Sidney Crosby being available should the Penguins have to abandon the three star center model.  Why?  Hey, if all else is equal relative to health, I think Crosby and Malkin are neck and neck in terms of who is the better player.  I give Geno the nod in pure talent, and I give Crosby the edge in the intangibles and "breathing the game" factor.  No argument can be made that those two are in a rarified air that cannot be breathed by many others including Jordan Staal.  That said, there is an argument to be made, particularly as I watch the current playoffs, that the type of game played by Jordan Staal is more complimentary to either Malkin or Crosby, and that the two of them create a redundancy that is great to have if you can, but not a luxury that can be afforded in the current cap situation.  I am a believer that Staal at 6.5M per year, at 24 years of age, with his size and two way play is a guy you want to keep.  I make a few arguments here.  First, his game translates well in the post season, an area of recent failure for the Penguins.  Second. the team has won to a level that kept them at the top of the league with Staal as the second line center while Crosby was out, AND 8.7 in cap space unable to be used for supporting cast.  Third, at 6.5M, Staal is 3 to 3.5M per year cheaper than either Malkin or Crosby will be, allowing you to add ANOTHER top quality ingredient to the mix with Staal v what you could do with Malkin or Crosby.  For example, the Penguins could have Staal and Luke Schenn for the cost of a Crosby.  You could have added Schenn and Kessel for argument sake to the lineup this past season for what an injured 87 took up in cap space. 

Fourth, we have seen first hand, that sometimes when you have two kings, you don't always get full value for both of them, as one is thinking the other may deliver.  You also have a specific issue on the power play on this team where it is better with one of the kings as opposed to both.  Real issues in a two king world.  We have seen it, in this case Geno seems to fall back a bit with a healthy Crosby.  I am not sure if the recent KHL announcement that salaries of returning NHL players will not count against the cap will make Geno a big target for the KHL to throw huge tax free dollars at in an attempt to lure a big whale to their league.  This could factor in to any decisions made though.

If all else were equal in the health department, I would keep Crosby and Staal, and try to get the Brinks truck to back up in return for Malkin.  Again, I LOVE Genos game, but if reality means you have to move one, if all were healthy that would be my inclination.  However, all have not been healthy.  Despite the fact that people say that all players are one hit away from having a concussion, the fact is that Crosby is more likely to sustain that injury based on recent history, AND the injury seems more likely to be longer term.  For that reason, on the surface, I favor keeping Malkin and Staal, and backing up the Brinks truck for the return Crosby would bring.  Again, the team was top 5 in the NHL playing without 87 much of the year, so they have PROVEN they can win without the Kid.  Add the bounty that would come back for 87 to the team that played last year, and you have one helluva team.  The real answer to me if you cannot keep all three though is one of the following.  Keep all three this summer, and see what the first half of next year brings.  Decide who if any you have to move in December, based on health, chemistry, etc.  If you cannnot wait, then you let the league know that you cannot keep all three of your centers, and that you are listening to offers for all three.  You then decide which offer is best for the team's short and long term ability to win the Stanley Cup. All three players are front line players, and losing any of them would make me ILL, as I have come to love all three of them.  If however, they cannot all be  kept, NONE of them are bigger than the franchise, and the one whose trade offer best positions the team to win over the longer run is the one who MUST be dealt.  That is true even that person is the guy who was supposed to be the face of the franchise and in fact, the league at one point.   Like this or not, but committing 10M per year to Crsoby will KILL this team if he cannot remain healthy enough to play most of the games under that contract.  Given recent history, a heavy long term deal for Crosby may carry high reward, but it also comes with high risk.  Eric Lindros, Marc Savard, and Keith Primeau are prime examples of careers cut short by repetitive head injuries.  Something to chew on.  I remain hopeful that all three are kept, and the team uses its youth on defense, and the movement of some other players to tweak its lineup for next year.  The only way to evaluate what is best for the TEAM is to evaluate what each of them would bring back in a trade if that is necessary, and picking the best scenario as a result of real offers.  Finally, a new development that has come into play that might make you think twice about the long term future of Russian or other Eastern European players is the fact that the cash rich KHL has now said the former NHL players will not count against the cap space if they are current stars.  What would Geno do if two years from now he was offered 20 Million per year TAX FREE to play in mother Russia, similar to what some team payed for an aging Jagr?   Could you blame him for leaving?  That has to at least be thought about in the equation until Malkin is locked up for a longer term.

Starkey says trade 71

Starkey: Goodbye to Crosby, Malkin or Staal?

by JOE STARKEY

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?

Yohe article and some of my thoughts

Staal sweepstakes could heat upBy Josh Yohe
Tribune-Review

Published: Sunday, May 13, 2012, 12:30 a.m.Updated 10 hours ago

Myriad reasons exist for Jordan Staal’s name continuing to surface in trade speculation, and postseason comments by himself and the organization did nothing to squash such rumors.

When asked about the Penguins’ “three-center model” following a first-round playoff exit against Philadelphia, general manager Ray Shero said, “It has worked in the past. Whether it works in the future remains to be seen.”

Staal, whose contract expires next summer, recently was asked whether he, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin could enjoy long-term happiness in Pittsburgh.

“Good question,” he said.

Shero told the Tribune-Review in December that signing Crosby, who has one more year on his current deal, to a new contract was the organization’s “top priority” this summer.

Malkin’s deal has two years remaining, and the Penguins intend to give him a new deal. History says Malkin, 25, will remain with the Penguins. Only three multiple-time NHL scoring champions — Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr and Phil Esposito — have been traded, and all were older than Malkin when they were dealt. Malkin won his second Art Ross Trophy this season.

Then there’s the economic reality: The Penguins have $40 million locked up in 10 players for the 2013-14 season. That figure doesn’t include Crosby, who probably will make about $10 million that season.

As the current salary cap stands — and should a new CBA be passed this summer, the cap number of $64 million could decrease — the Penguins would have more than a dozen players, including Staal, to sign but only about $14 million to spend.

On the open market, Staal could command at least $7 million per season, those in his camp say.

Other teams, notably Philadelphia, have abandoned one-time plans in favor of constructing teams built around younger, cheaper players. The Flyers’ plan worked, at least for one series, as Shero and the Penguins saw up close last month.

Letting Staal walk when his contract expires — Nashville, where Shero once was assistant general manager, is facing that situation with star defenseman Ryan Suter — is not something the Penguins want. Receiving a heavy bounty in return for Staal is more to their liking.

Staal, 23, has one year remaining on a contract that pays him $4 million annually. He produced a career-high 50 points in 62 games last season and led the Penguins with six goals and nine points in the playoffs.

Reports have surfaced from Raleigh, N.C., and Edmonton, Alberta, that the Hurricanes and Oilers, respectively, are interested in Staal. Trade rumors likely will only intensify as summer nears.

Here are the most logical trade partners for the Penguins:

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Staal’s brother, Eric, plays in Raleigh. Also, consider the following: The Hurricanes could use a dominant No. 2 center, they’re $20 million under the salary cap for next season and have plenty to offer the Penguins.

Don’t discount the fact that Jordan Staal doesn’t particularly enjoy media circuses. He’s a quiet kid who likes to play hockey. He is getting married this summer, and raising a family in the same neighborhood as his brother’s family is appealing. His youngest brother, Jared, is also in Carolina’s system.

Raleigh makes sense on many levels. The Hurricanes know it, and so does Staal.

What the Hurricanes have to offer

Carolina likely will make a strong run for Staal this summer and dangle center Brandon Sutter as part of a deal. He’s a strong, young center who would look good behind Crosby and Malkin. The Hurricanes also boast the No. 8 pick in the upcoming draft and a number of strong prospects.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

It has become known that Toronto general manager Brian Burke is a big Jordan Staal fan. In fact, every GM in hockey is a big Staal fan, but Burke is said to particularly covet him.

Burke and Shero are friends and have conducted business together. Think they would like Staal, a Thunder Bay native, in Ontario?

What the Maple Leafs have to offer

Center Nazem Kadri is the most talented player in Toronto’s system, and he thrived late in the season with the Maple Leafs. He’s a pure goal scorer. Also, defenseman Luke Schenn is the kind of physical, stay-at-home defenseman the Penguins badly need. The Maple Leafs are willing to deal Schenn.

3. Edmonton Oilers

No team, not even the Penguins, has hit the lottery jackpot like Edmonton. The Oilers are about to pick first in the NHL Draft for the third consecutive year. They will take winger Nail Yakupov, yet another highly skilled winger.

The Oilers are young and talented. They need a player accomplished enough to teach them how to win but young enough to be a leader for a long time.

What the Oilers have to offer

It’s pretty simple: The Oilers don’t want to deal any of their young guns, but multiple reports out of Edmonton suggest that the Oilers would consider dealing the top overall pick for Staal. In January, former Penguins coach Scott Bowman said Yakupov — whom he scouted in December — reminded him of former NHL star Pavel Bure.

4. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota is a no-name squad looking for an identity and players who bring credibility.

Enter Staal.

He would be the perfect leader for this team, and there are Penguins connections everywhere here. Remember Mike Yeo, the former Penguins assistant who now is the Wild head coach? Chuck Fletcher, Shero’s assistant and now current Wild GM?

Bonus for Staal: St. Paul, Minn., is a six-hour drive from Thunder Bay, making it the closest NHL city to Staal’s hometown.

What the Wild have to offer

Right wing Cal Clutterbuck is the kind of player Shero and Penguins coach Dan Bylsma would love. He would be an upgrade over Tyler Kennedy on the third line. Minnesota also likely would be willing to include right wing Devin Setoguchi, who could score 30 goals on Crosby’s line, in such a deal. Minnesota also owns the No. 7 pick in this year’s draft.

About Josh Yohe

Tribune-Review Sports reporter Josh Yohe can be reached via e-mail or at 412-664-9161 x1975.

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If you believe what you hear and read EVERYWHERE, no matter what Crosby is going nowhere.  I have always loved Crosby, but I don't like that thought at this point given the question marks around his ability to play a full season.  If healthy, he is the best in the world, but that is one large if.  I am in the camp that the superstar model may work best with one MEGAPOWER, and I also believe that the big body and two way style of Staal is exactly what the Penguins need MORE of, not less of during the post season.  It does not matter, as it seems that the franchise covets Crosby over all else, and that leaves Malkin and Staal as the trade bait if the need to regain cap space means the three center model is no longer viable for Pittsburgh.  The team had a great regular season campaign with Malkin and Staal carrying the tag of one and two center, and Staal played the best in the playoffs of the three.  Malkin and Crosby of late seem to water each other down quite a bit as well.  I also think the Pens could make cap space elsewhere and let Staal play a wing with either Malkin or Crosby, while having him as insurance should either get hurt, but that would come down to Staal's interest in that, and willingness to be no more than 6M per year.   It would also be contingent on a salary dump with Paul Martin.  The Pens could hedge their bets and do nothing at first with Crosby to see how far into the season he gets, and gamble they can sign him mid season if healthy, or reconsider if he suffers a head injury early in the season.  If Crosby is hurt again, his trade value plummets, BUT you avoid a long term anchor on the team's ability to compete for a Cup if you avoid a long term high dollar deal in the process, while not losing him during the evaluation phase.  All of that makes sense to me, BUT from everything I read and hear, us Staal fans need to brace for what seems like the inevitable mistake in my opinion.  Of the above deals, I offer the following comments:


Carolina would have a lot of appeal for Jordan Staal, and it should for that franchise as well.  Jordan Staal was a second overall pick, who is only 24 and still improving who will likely post 35 goals on his upside AND play a strong physical game and kill penalties while offering a threat to score on the PK.  I like the thought of a young solid 3 line center, so Sutter sounds good as part of the deal, but to me it STARTS with Sutter AND the 8th overall pick plus another player.  I also consider the idea of asking the Canes to take Martin as part of the deal as a cap dump for Pittsburgh, which opens up the space for further moves during the summer.  If the Pens can dump Martin in this deal, and maybe get the 8th pick and Sutter plus a solid role player or prospect, if we have to make a move, maybe we can live with that.  If it makes such sense for Carolina to unite the Staal's and it sure would sizzle for marketing purposes, the Penguins should leverage that to their advantage.

Toronto has some assets of interest for Pittsburgh, Luke Schenn being the nasty defenseman that Pittsburgh needs.  Schenn is a young nasty defenseman at 6'2" and 229lbs who is signed through 2015-16 at a reasonable 3.6M.  Adding Schenn would add size, grit, and longer term stability to the Penguins blue line.  Kadri on an entry level contract and has interesting upside, but not sure of his fit if all centers are healthy, as he does not seem like a 3rd line center.  I like the thought of Steckel at 1.1M as a fourth liner with strong face off abilities or Tyler Bozak at 1.5M who could be the third line center, and comes with a 1.5M cap hit.  Give me Schenn, Bozak and a 3rd rounder here, and if we have to throw in a prospect, I can live with this move if Staal HAS to go.  Also, let's not forget that it was Toronto GM Brian Burke who thought enough of Martin to hold his spot on the US Olympic team despite Martin's broken arm, with no tryout, until the last possible second.  Is there an ability to make a move here as well as a contingency to getting Staal?   Dumping the Martin contract as part of this deal would be a huge benefit to Pittsburgh.  Schenn, Bozak and a pick fro Staal, Kadri and a pick for Martin?  Finally, the Leafs possess the fifth overall pick in the draft, and the Penguins around the 22nd.  Would the Pens be able to get some sort of swapping in the draft, to any deal here? 

Minnesota has some assets mentioned here as well.  I do like the idea of Cal Clutterbuck coming back as the type of third line center with some grit and size at 213lbs.  He is signed at 1.4M for one more year, and then is only an RFA.  He also chipped in 15 goals, so he is not without offensive production abilities as well.  Setoguchi could look good with Crosby, and he is signed at 3M per year for 2 more seasons, and added 19 goals for Minnesota.  I would still like another asset added to this deal in terms of a draft pick or swapped picks in round one, allowing Pittsburgh to move up in that round. Minnesota has the 7th overall pick in the draft, so a swap of picks and Clutterbuck would be interesting in return for Staal.

Edmonton has the number one pick in this draft, which seems to be the consensus Nail Yakupov, who many NHL scouts compare to Pavel Bure.  Some say they are not sure that Staal is worth the top overall pick in the draft, but let's not forget that Staal was the second pick, and you KNOW what you get with Jordan.  Yakupov is unproven, though highly regarded.  This an interesting possibility, and could add the benefit of Pittsburgh dumping Martin's 5M deal with 3 more years left in return for Shawn Horcoff's 5.5M dollar deal for a change of scenery addition to help both teams.  Horcoff was the captain, so he adds some leadership and size at 207 lbs.  He scored 13 goals, and could be a great 3 line center for Pittsburgh.  The deal could allow Pittsburgh to get a top 6 winger to replace a great center, dump Martin, and add back a good replacement third line center, who is overpaid, but the net affect is still positive as Yakupov would have an entry level deal, and Pittsburgh would lose the Martin contract, and still have 3 center model that could be very viable. The deal allows center/wing balance for both clubs, and allows both to move a bad salary where a change of scenery may benefit the players involved.  I am no GM, I had little time for detailed research today, and do not like the idea of Staal moving at all.  However, it seems as if all of the feedback points in that direction, so I gave some thoughts to the possible scenarios painted by Josh Yohe today.  Jordan
Staal is a former 2nd overall pick, with size, grit, 30 goal plus capability, PK dominance, and tremendous 2 way play, who at 24 STILL has upside.  If we have to move him, we better take advantage and get the right return.   I would love feedback, positive or negative to my thoughts.

Penguins and Core Stix

Game 6 Pre-game 5/11

Game 6 Pre-game 5/11  Baby Pens win 4-2 to force a Game 7

Penguins face an off season of questions

I had planned a very long detailed post mortem of the Penguins season after their third straight early dismissal from the playoffs.  Then I made the mistake of watching other teams play the post season game, and truthfully for the first time in a LONG LONG time I was too pissed at my favorite team to put the time into a post as detailed as needed.  In fact, I had no interest in writing about them at all.  As you can see from the number of posts over the past three years, that is not the norm for me.  I have enjoyed watching almost every playoff game since the departure of the Penguins, and to my dismay, they looked like they played the 16th best as a team of the 16 playoff teams.  I can't think of too many Penguins player of coaches who lived up to expectations.  Staal did, other than his mis play on Voracek that ended up in the back of our net in Game One in OT, but he played his heart out and led the team with 6 goals and 9 points. I thought James Neal played a physical series, but lost his mind in game three.  The coaching was not up to par, Malkin and Crosby were adequate, but did not do anything to really take over a game and lead the Penguins. Fleury, despite 42 wins, and poor defensive play in front of him, was still VERY subpar for the third post season in a row. The league's third best penalty kill was atrocious   in the post season, allowing the Flyers to score on more than 50% of their power play chances.  The power play, allowed THREE shorthanded goals in the series. THREE.  At any rate, I am not going to get bogged down in the stats a bunch here.  I want to address in general the quandry of the Penguins in the offseason.  Many people think the Penguins need to blow up this core, as three straight post season departures, two of which ended in embarrassing performances to get eliminated means they cannot repeat the glory of 2009.  And you can make that argument.....SEE ABOVE....at the same time, this team weathered tons of injuries, played in the toughest division, and still put up 108 points this season, and have been an elite team since 2008 in the regular season.  If you look at that, a tweak here or there, and or some systems changes may get it done, right?  Some say Fleury has proven that the Cup was a fluke and that he is not the elite, franchise goaltender people say he is.  His past three post seasons make it pretty tough to argue that.  However, he has been to the finals twice, won a Cup and has been arguably the team's co-MVP each of the past two years during the regular season.  Is it that easy to decide he is NOT the guy?  I tend to think that the Penguins need to get a better back up, who can play more games, and push Fleury for ice time to get the MAF we all love to show up in the post season again.  The Penguins defense did not help Fleury either, and to me, Pittsburgh has to address that.  Of the 30 Flyers goals in the series, 20 were scored within 15 feet of the net.  That tells me that the blue line is too soft to clear that area.  If I am Mario and Ray Shero, I make Letang untouchable because he is a Norris caliber player, and I make Engelland untouchable because his cap hit of around 600K and his physical play make him a good value to Pittsburgh.  I would see if I could sign Niskanen for a reasonable number around 2.5M, and I bring Despres up.  I dump Martin for anything to anyone.  I listen to offers for Michalek, Orpik, and Lovejoy.  I try to get bigger and a little nastier on the backend.  I look to get a better backup for Fleury, and I try to add a little more sandpaper to the third and fourth lines.  Those are the easier decisions. The big question  seems to be centered around the 3 center model.  Popular belief is that the Penguins will trade Jordan Staal due to his value, and the fact that the two headed monster is so talented.  Further, pundits cite the fact that Staal could up to 7M per year, and would like to be a top 6 player, which he may not be here.  I would not trade Staal if the decision were mine.  I would do anything I could to keep him, selling him on opportunity here at 6M or 6.5M(dumping Martin and Z if necessary), make him a winger for Crosby or Malkin, and tell him with Crosby's head history, he will get lots of ice time as a second line center.  For some reason, it seems that there is no chance that either of the other two stars could be considered as the trade bait to add depth and grit to the team, and I think that is a shame.  Que the fan boys quoting how great 87 and 71 are, and how stupid I am.......all done?  I know how great both of them are.  I know that both will put up more offensive numbers.  I know that when healthy there is not a better player in the NHL than 87, and I know that one of the FEW who could challenge for that distinction is 71.  I get it.  I also know that Crosby or Malkin will likely get 10M or more per season, and I think Staal could get done for 6M, 6.5M at most.   That extra 3.5 to 4M could be one hell of an additional player like a top notch defenseman, or another winger to complement Staal and the remaining mega star.  In addition, if you put 10M into Crosby and he is hurt half of the year, you have hamstrung your team in an unbelievable way.  The team was a top threat all year long with Malkin and Staal as the top two centers  and the 8.7 in cap space for Crosby keeping them from adding anything else.  Can you imagine what the return would be on Crosby?  The Flyers added scoring depth, youth, cap space, and balance moving their captain and Jeff Carter this past summer.  If you added a solid back up goaltender, another big skilled winger, and an extra veteran defenseman to this team this season in Crosby's absence how good would they have been?  If you think Crosby is healthy, and you think Geno is an issue longer term, you have the same solid one -two punch AND a huge return to add to the core if you kept Crosby and moved Malkin.  I worry about the ability to get the max return on both kings in a two king world.  I love all three players (Crosby, Malkin, Staal), but if it were me, I would keep one of the kings with Staal, and move the other king to add more depth of scoring, and defense to this club.  That wont happen though, as I also recognize the risk in moving a player of the caliber of either Malkin or Crosby.  Watching these playoffs and seeing the success of the team with one or both kings out, I favor the idea of moving one of the mega stars and keeping Staal.  It will be interesting to see what the Penguins do.  Watch the above video, and then tell me if you are willing to listen to anything that means we don't ever hear or see this shit again in RD 1.

TSN’s Dreger: Penguins Should Consider Trading Malkin Before Staal « CBS Pittsburgh

TSN’s Dreger: Penguins Should Consider Trading Malkin Before Staal « CBS Pittsburgh Interesting listen here.......Obstruction, MAF, defense, Geno, Staal