Malkin rumors are ridiculous

There are certain people (rhymes with "Becklund", Bruce Garroich, Larry Brooks) that this blog doesn't often mention. Because they only blow hot air and have nothing to much to offer.

The thing that sucks about the off-season is that there are rumors everywhere and usually action no where.

The latest rumor that's sweeping the rounds, summed up well (as you'd expect) by a solid source like Puck Daddy. In it, Garroich claims that Pens GM Ray Shero has offered Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings for the 2nd pick in the draft plus forward Mike Cammalleri.

This makes no sense on several grounds...

• Garroich claims Malkin makes $984,000 a year and the Pens can't afford his salary increase (which won't kick in until 2010-11 by the way). Malkin's base salary is $984k, but his rookie bonuses (and salary cap figure) push his actual salary up to upwards of $3.84 million dollars a year. He's not going to go from under a million dollars to $8-10 million a year, as Garroich seems to suggest.
• Mike Cammalleri, while a good center (as evidenced by his 80 points in 81 games two seasons ago) makes $3.6 million a year and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, where he'll likely be in line for a hefty raise. In other words, the Penguins stand nothing to gain by trading for him.
• After certain #1 pick Steven Stamkos, the field is wide open for the second pick in the draft. Some like Russian forward Nikita Filatov, who is a skilled and explosive forward, will not have the immediate impact of a Malkin, Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin. Others like a plethora of right-handed big defensemen like Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Alex Pietrangelo or Luke Schenn. But they're all projects and while some will be solid, nothing is promised for a prospect--especially a defenseman at that. Again, trading a legit super-star in Malkin for a prospect offers nothing to a Penguin team looking to get back to the Stanley Cup.

It's a load of crap. As we've reminded readers, the Penguins aren't even allowed to negotiate an extension with Malkin until July 1. And like Malkin said at the award ceremony, he's receptive to a 5-6 year deal that doesn't have to pay him more than Crosby's $8.7 million.

The media keeps feasting and spreading rumors; hoping the Malkin is "tired of being second bananna" or that the Pens can't keep Crosby, Malkin and Marian Hossa long-term (despite the fact that Hossa still isn't signed and may not be). They're looking for angles, but more importantly they're looking to generate newspaper sales and web-clicks and attention....Which is why we don't like to "feed" them by talking about it. The buzz got too strong to ignore.

As has been our message for the past two weeks, whether it's Hossa's alleged re-signing, a so-called imminent Ryan Malone trade in the works or anything regarding Malkin, Jordan Staal or Marc-Andre Fleury: there's a lot of words but not a lot of action. Likely after the draft things will settle a little. Surely after July 1 when players start to sign things will die down more.

Hold your sides, it's time to laugh

Malkin Rumours [sic] continue to surface as talk is that he is looking for a HUGE deal in the area of 10 years 100 million. I would be careful to buy into these rumours [sic]...but I do know that every team out there would put a bid in on a player who may be the best in the world someday. I don't see him be moved by the draft. One rumour has him going to the LA Kings for a MAJOR package of players. Another has him going to Toronto. A third, going to Dallas. While I hate to dismiss rumours [sic] ever, I think we need to see where this is going first with his contract.

There's a reason no self-respecting blog ever mentions the name of Eklund, but this is just too good to pass up. (Quoted emphasis ours).

Point one: We can at least kind of see the logic in "Whoa there" Pierre McGuire spouting off talking about Malkin getting traded to the Kings. At least with young players like Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Alex Frolov and Jack Johnson (plus the second pick in the draft) the Kings could--if they wanted to--throw enough talent in the direction of the Pens to draw interest. But hockey is a team sport. Say Malkin got a high ankle sprain like Sidney Crosby did this season...They'd be screwed.

But Dallas or Toronto? Toronto? What in the world would they have to offer? Nothing. Absolutely nothing of interest (no offense, Dallas).

Point two: As the terms of the collective bargaining agreement go, Pittsburgh is not even allowed to talk extension with Malkin (or Jordan Staal) until July 1. Rumors of Malkin already wanting out are putting the horse way before the buggy.

Point three: No one--aside of Malkin and his agent-- knows what he wants. Malkin said, on record, that he liked the money per year Alex Ovechkin got (and who wouldn't) but that Gino didn't like the length. And there's nothing to fault in that...If the salary cap continues to rise, as it has every year, AO left a lot of money on the table compared to what he could have received. Not that there's anything wrong with what he signed, after all the man is guaranteed $124 million over the next 13 years and that's more than anyone else in the sport of hockey (or 99.9% of the general population) can hang their hat on.

Who's to say Malkin wouldn't extend for $8 million, $8.7 million, $9 million or $10 million? And would he sign on for 3, 4, 5 or 6 more years? The point is, no one really knows right now. If Malkin wanted $24 for three, he'd get it. If he wanted $34 for four, he'd probably get it. If he wanted $45 for five, he'd probably get it. The elite stars of this league basically write their own contracts. It's what Ovechkin did by adding on the final seven or eight year on a whim at the las minute and it's what Crosby did by getting his average up to $8.7 million per year. That's the way it works.

And, even if Malkin signed 10 years, $100 million and the Pens wanted/needed to trade him (or he requested it) in three or four years, would that dissuade a suitor from getting a guy who's still very young and would be arguably the best offensive player in the game? Doubt it. But then again it's doubtful this situation ever makes it out of hypothetical.

Of course, if Calgary calls up and offers Dion Phaneuf, Jarome Iginla and a host of first round picks, we'd help Malkin pack his bags for the Northwest. No one is untouchable, to be sure. But why in the world would Calgary (or anyone else with the value to pull the trigger) make such the disproportionate deal in favor of the Pens to make it happen?

In conclusion, Eklund is an idiot and anyone who thinks that Malkin is interested in playing away from Pittsburgh, his buddy Sergei Gonchar and even further outside of his North American comfort zone next year and the years to come is probably smoking something you'd get in trouble for selling on the streets.

Shero was in Toronto so he must be after Sundin

Ray Shero took in last night’s Florida blowout of Toronto. Which, less than three weeks before the trade deadline leads to the obvious speculation that he was there for more than just a routine visit.

This article, as you’d expect from one written in Toronto, suggests Shero could be targeting Leafs’ captain Mats Sundin or Florida captain Olli Jokinen. Hey, go big or go home, right?

Aside from the obvious, which apparently isn’t obvious to those north of the border writers, here’s why it won’t happen.

Jokinen won’t be a Penguin because:

• They’re 1 point out of the division lead. The Southeast has devolved into a 4 team slugfest, at this point looking like only the winner will be in the playoffs. A team doesn’t trade their captain and best offensive player when they’re so close to the playoffs.
  He has 3 more years on his contract, and it’s pretty favorable for the Panthers. They’re not going to trade him and downgrade their chances just because he has supposedly has heat with management. It is true that winning cures all, and if they do that, obviously everyone’s happy.
• Even if Florida was interested in a trade, the cost would be far too high. Playing devil’s advocate, if we’re the Florida GM the first thing we’d ask for is someone the Pens aren’t going to deal (Jordan Staal). But if Pittsburgh wants to acquire a top flight player, they’re going to have to pay a king’s ransom, something for the Pens to consider. Simply Erik Christensen and a draft pick is not going to be enough.

Sundin won’t be a Penguin because:

• The most obvious reason is he holds the cards. Sundin has a no trade clause and doesn’t have to go anywhere. In fact, all his public comments to this point have said he doesn’t intend to leave Toronto; neither now nor this summer when he could be a UFA. Players have waived NTCs (Gary Roberts, Georges Laraque) to join the Pens as a contender but they don’t necessarily have to.

• Again the return is going to be too high. Shero has said his philosophy is to build through the draft and not trade high picks. Toronto will surely want a young player in the organization (like maybe EC or Alex Goligoski), an impressive prospect (like Angelo Esposito) and definitely the Pens 1st round pick this season. That’s too much a price to rent Mats Sundin for a couple months, especially given the Pens depth at center when Crosby returns.

So throw the big guns out of your mind…Think of what Michel Therrien said the Penguins need; a touch defenseman. Since we’ve ruled Florida out as sellers, someone sticks out in Toronto’s lineup….Which is easy to do, because he’s 6’7”.

We’re talking Hal Gill. For his mis-comings (not pretty skating at times) he’s earned a bad rap to the average fan. But consider some of his finer attributes:
--102 blocked shots, 82 hits this season. That would rank him 1st and 2nd in those respective categories among Penguins.

--A manageable salary of just over $2 million (which mean it would cost about an additional $600,000 to add him for the remainder of this year) plus next year he makes $2.1 million.
At 32 years old, he’s not over the hill like some other defenseman that could be on the trade block.

--Despite averaging over 21 minutes of ice-time a night for one of the league’s sloppiest and worst teams, Gill’s +/- is a respectable -3.

--Unlike current Penguins defensive defenseman, Gill can actually do something with the puck, as evidenced by his output of 2 goals and 17 assists. Even those modest stats are better than Rob Scuderi, Brooks Orpik and Darryl Sydor….Combined. Plus Gill has more assists than Ryan Whitney. Just sayin’.

We’re not saying the Pens will 100% certainly bring Hal Gill in. But given his skill-set, salary situation and place on the team, it seems a lot more realistic to see Shero rather than try to acquire Gill than look seriously into the Sundin Sweepstakes (too expensive) or the Jokinen Jackpot (which probably doesn’t exist).

Indulge us, we're off our meds...

To dream the impossible dream...

So, instead of tinkering with the roster come trade deadline time next month, maybe looking to pick up some defensive help or scoring depth up front for the playoffs, the Rangers now must consider something more dramatic, possibly stunning, if they are going to get back in the Stanley Cup game.
And if general manager Glen Sather is considering such a move, that consideration begins and ends with Jagr.


Just sayin, this post is totally hypothetical, theoretical, anything else you want to call it.

There are plenty of reasons why it’ll never happen. Aside from the obvious Jagr history in Pittsburgh, it’s rare that division rivals would trade with each other, certainly when NYR still has hopes for the playoffs.

But, in the event they’re ready to part with Jags, consider:
``Mario Lemieux still loves JJ. He was a surprise guest to honor Jagr for a 600 goal ceremony last season in New York. And boy was he happily surprised to see Mario honoring him. Say what you want about the “dying alive” days or how it’ll never work out; if you’re good with Lemieux, you’re good with the Penguins.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20001130cook.asp
``Salary wise, it’s do-able. Jagr’s, as usual, is in a unique situation. His pre-trade to the Rangers stipulated the Capitals would pick up millions of his salary every year. The new CBA has since outlawed this, but this transaction can’t be reversed or tinkered with. So, as is, Jagr’s cap hit to a team is $4.94 million (with the Caps paying/absorbing the rest of the $8.3 million he gets paid). Since a little over the season is over, NYR has paid him roughly $2.6 million and JJ would be owed $2.3 million be a team for the rest of the season if they were to pick him up today.

Does Jagr have enough in the tank or has his statistical drop-off this season shown he’s about finished? Perhaps.

Would it be crazy to think about 68 flying down a wing with Crosby or Malkin? Probably.

Will this trade ever happen? Absolutely not.

Blue Jackets scouting the Pens?

The Columbus beat writers blog reports: the BJs had three scouts at last night's game.

This doesn't mean they were looking at the Penguins, after all there's been a longly whispered rumor about them shipping David Vyborny to the Rangers (not coincidentally last night's opponent) for the midgetly Petr Prucha.

Columbus has been a surprise team so far this year, and of press time is just 3 points back of a playoff spot. So we couldn't see them trading the player that would benefit the Pens the most (captain and defensive bedrock Adam Foote).

Further, the Penguins haven't lost in regulation in the past ten games, why would they want to shake up the groove they're in right now.

So why so many scouts? TST thinks that if Columbus was really doing some serious scouting it wasn't the black and gold they were interested in last night.

You know who is back at it....

Here we go again...

Hossa to Pitt (e2) Yeh, indeed. The pending UFA would pretty much be the ideal fit in Pitt. What I am hearing is that IF the Pens could get Hossa to agree to some sort of extension, Jordan Staal + could be the pricetag. Big IF. However,Hossa could become Crosby's Kurri pretty damn quick.

Is he hearing this from the voices in his head? The Penguins have to tow the line as much as possible before the new arena, even with all the sell-outs Forbes estimated they still don't rake in that much revenue relative to the rest of the league.

``Evgeni Malkin will need a long-term contract and probably be looking at the $7-$8.7 million range a year long-term, a bump of $3+ million.
``Marc-Andre Fleury will be a restricted free agent
``Important players will be unrestricted: Ryan Malone, Mark Eaton, Brooks Orpik....Whether the Pens want them back (or how much interest they might command on an open market) is a whole 'nother issue). The point is though, if they're gone the team is going to have to find somewhat veteran or good players to fill their roles.


Still, in the most foolish thing I've done on this blog since sourcing wikipedia, let's acknowledge this "rumor" as a legitimate one.

No doubting Hossa and Crosby (or Malkin and Hossa) would make for a dynamic offensive duo that would be very frightening. But this isn't your Xbox360 and it's not so simple just to pluck elite wingers.

Also, why would Atlanta want to trade him? Sure there's a risk of losing him as a UFA, but that's a risk coach/GM Don Waddell has taken---and got burned on many times watching players leave his club as UFAs. Also, after a terrible start that cost Bob Hartley his job the Tbombs are up to .500 hockey (43 points in 43 games). That may not be a total playoff pace, but they’ve been one of the conference’s better statistical team for the past 30-35 games and may not want to deal away one of their best players.

What exactly would they want in addition to Staal? If it was a non-roster more long-term project like Alex Goligoski, Jonathan Filewich I could see the Penguins maybe making that deal. If they were holding out for a guy like Kris Letang or Colby Armstrong then I don’t think that would ever work. Plus Shero has said he’s not interested in trading draft choices and has stressed how he wishes to continue to build the organization from within with those picks, so I doubt he’s going to move a first round pick or Angelo Esposito.

And then there’s the issue of compensation for Hossa. On the open market he could get a deal like Danny Briere or Scott Gomez got, a huge frontloaded deal that might see him stand to earn $10 million next season. As hinted to already, the Penguins are in no condition to pay open market value for Hossa or any other player than Crosby or Malkin.

As most sane folks realize, there are a lot of factors that would have to break exactly the right way. And that’s assuming that Shero is willing to pull the trigger on a deal to send Jordan Staal out of the organization. Sure he’s having a sophomore slump this season, but he’s 19 and is going on 200 NHL games (preseason, regular season and postseason) by the time he’s not a teenager. Look at some statistical performances guys like Joe Thornton or Vincent Lecavalier had in their first two seasons at 18 or 19 years of age.

In conclusion, Eklund is an idiot.

Trades that wont happen

What is with it the Ottawa Senators never-ending obsession to attempt to acquire Gary Roberts?

No deal, Howie.

Though getting a winger that can, you know, score would be awesome in today's NHL teams simply do not make trades. It's like the NFL now. Thanks salary cap! So even though the two clubs may have "talked" about exploring a deal, I would actually be shocked if it went through, given the dramatic shift in player movement in the new CBA.

Frankie Beauchemin

TSN reports:

The Ducks' committed payroll for next season is the issue. With Niedermayer potentially returning, and with another year left on his contract after this season, the Ducks could not add him to the roster now without freeing up cap room for next season. In the new CBA, it's called 'tagging' room and the Ducks don't have enough of it next season to allow Niedermayer back on the roster this season – unless they move a player who is under contract for next season.

Multiple NHL sources confirm the Ducks have been active in trade talks this week trying to do exactly that.

Sources suggest the Ducks are prepared to move any defenceman other than Chris Pronger who is under contract for next season. That list includes Mathieu Schneider, Francois Beauchemin and Sean O'Donnell

Perhaps it's just the internet whispers that never come true, but word is that Ducks are looking for a young player (obviously inexpensive) and a high draft pick.

During the Ilya Bryzgalov sweepstakes, whenever the Penguins were mentioned there was also mentions of Erik Christensen. Again, perhaps 100% rumor, but sometimes where there is smoke there is fire.

I'm not big into trading a 1st round pick AND a young player and I know Ray Shero isn't either, but in this specific situation I think I would do it. I think Frankie Beauchemin is possibly the best player in the league that never gets talked about, especially on the east coast where fans never get to see him play. Some stats for the blueliner:

• Leads all NHL players with 28:30 icetime
• Has a -3 +/- rating, the same as Chris Pronger
• 27 hits, 26 blocked shots, 12 takeaways....Not a physical monster, but not ragdoll

But his true value can't be quantified in raw data, but rather his play on the ice for nearly half of the game. So why would the Ducks trade FB instead of someone like Schneider or Brown? Well both those players are old, and Schneider has that huge $5.6 cap hit this year and next. We've seen how hard it is to trade players, even with modest contracts and value (Bryzgalov, Recchi, etc). Trades nowadays are infrequent.

Obviously I wouldn't want any young player (Staal, Letang) dealt, and clearly Shero isn't going to be moving them anyways. But some combination of Christensen, high pick or defensive prospect Alex Goligoski? Bring it on.

Getting a player like Beauchemin could be instrumental in a turnaround for the Penguins. This could be almost as impactful as the Ron Francis or Rick Tocchet deals made that propelled the Pens to Stanley Cups.

One old foot out the door?

Stop me if you've heard this before: Penguins sign an aging skilled player. Player shows no skill. Player loses spot in lineup. Player sulks/gets upset.

Next step: player taken off team.

It happened to John LeClair last season, and by all indications it's about to happen again to Mark Recchi.

SPECTOR'S MAILBAG.

"Faizal" sends in the following on Mark Recchi:
Pierre Maguire was on the TEAM1040 this morning (Wednesday)in Vancouver and he was talking about the Recchi situation. Him and Recchi were texting each other last night before the Canucks/Ducks game and Maguire says that Recchi will
likely be traded by Friday. Pittsburgh apparently wants to hand over the reigns of the team to the younger players and they feel that with the presence of such veterans as Recchi, Roberts and Sydor, its hard for those younger players to be that voice in the dressing room. I don't know what that means for Roberts or Sydor, but so far only Recchi has been told to call up other clubs and work out a trade for himself."

Whispers have teams like Columbus (who's coach, Ken Hitchcock has connections with Recchi dating back to Kamloops) or Phoenix as interested in Rex.

Some team that needs a top 6 forward will take the bait on this. And maybe a change of scenery and a fresh lockeroom would do Recchi well. He didn't so much look as if there's nothing left in the tank just as much as he wasn't finishing opportunities. Unlike LeClair last season, where it was quite clear he was done, Recchi probably would have something to contribute to a NHL team. Although in a huge shell of his former self.

And for the Penguins, any return at all to shed Recchi's salary and sulking aura will be an improvement. I do not suspect they will be bringing to much back, probably a low draft pick if possible.

McGuire mentions Darryl Sydor and Gary Roberts as possibly the next in line out the door. While both of these vets have been relatively under-performing and disappointing, I see this as unlikely, for many reasons.

• Depth of defensemen. If Sydor is jettison, one injury to the defense (a matter of when, not if) means that Alain Nasreddine is back in the NHL lineup. I still would argue might be a steal candidate on re-entry waivers for a team that would only have to pay 50% his salary, so it's no guarantee he'd be there. Then who comes into the lineup, Ryan Lannon?
• Unlike LeClair and Recchi, Gary Roberts game is built around checking, hitting, menacing, intimidating and the like. Last I checked, you can still do that without scoring. Roberts needs to produce more, but his icetime has been adjusted. In the past 6 games Mr. Gary is getting less than 13 minutes a night. Unlike Recchi, he wasn't chewing up 20 minutes a night and still not scoring.
• Veteran leadership. The team needs someone who's done it before, and only Recchi, Sydor and Roberts have won Stanley Cups. Get rid of all of these guys and there would be only 3 players on the whole roster over the age of 30 (Sergei Gonchar 33, Petr Sykora 31 and Georges Laraque 31 next week). That's obviously not going to cut it for a potential playoff push.

We'll have to see what happens, but short-term it definitely seems like Recchi is going to get a new team, if one will take him. After that the next movement shouldn't be paring more vets from the roster, it should be to bring in a player the team needs; like a goal-scoring winger or a defensive-defenseman.

Adrian Dater shoots off from mouth

Uhh, really?

A little birdie told me the Avs had scouts at the Penguins-Senators game the other night, so start your trade rumors from those locations. Personally, I think the Avs might be considering getting Marc-Andre Fleury, the former first-round goalie pick who hasn’t been that great for the Pens. But that’s just a hunch, not based on big word of mouth. John-Michael Liles could be part of that mix, but again, just a hunch. But Liles, who turned 27 on Sunday, can be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The Avs have promising youngster Kyle Cumiskey still, who plays a game similar to Liles and figures to come a lot cheaper in the near future. So, it makes sense that Liles could be on the trading block for perhaps some help (better size and toughness) on defense, or with the goaltending.

I have a hunch too....

• The Penguins aren't going to trade a 23 year old, former #1 overall pick goalie that's still budding.
• Especially for a puck-moving defenseman that's a UFA at the end of the year.

Take a look at the Pens roster, Adrian, and you'd see there's no shortage of puckmoving defenseman (Sergei Gonchar, Ryan Whitney, Kris Letang).

And what, pray-tell, would the Pens do for a starting goaler? Hitch the wagon to the unproven Danny Sabourin? No.

Oh I know, maybe Colorado would be lucky enough to throw in Jose Theodore and his $6 million salary and lovely 3.04 GAA and .897 save percentage into the deal.

Scratching Colby

Sorry for the lack of updates, the enemy of every blogger "real life" has been kicking up. I will try to do this as best as I can.

Colby Armstrong has been a healthy scratch in the past two games. Rookie Tyler Kennedy has pretty much stepped in his stead and been playing with the energy, speed and desire you'd have hoped Armstrong should be bringing to the table. Georges Laraque's groin seems to be good enough for him to play now, and he's been actually a decent hockey player, and not just the reigning NHL Heavyweight Champion.

Rumors of a trade are swirling, reports say the Penguins have been following Dallas around, and the whispers of Montreal still liking Army have never quieted.

Point 1: Pittsburgh plays Dallas in about 3 weeks time, so it's not really that groundbreaking to me that they'd have scouts take a trip simply to gather data about how an unfimiliar opponent is playing at the moment.

Point 2: There have been 0 trades in the NHL this season. That is for a reason. In this new salary cap era, the league's transactions have shifted towards the NFL, another league where free agency ages are low. There is more emphasis on the draft, more emphasis on free agency, less interest in trading players during the season.

This trend will probably change near the trading deadline, as the buyers and sellers become a little more obvious, but the the wheels of change are rolling. Scouting and developing are becoming more important than ever in the NHL, while trades are clearly becoming less frequent.

Point 3: Rumors state the Penguins usual trade bait (Erik Chistensen, Armstrong) are being offered up for a goalie. Marty Turco has even been mentioned. That's ridiculous on many levels: A)Dallas is a competitive team, why would they trade their #1, B)The Penguins would have to offer up a lot more than usual and C)Turco has a no trade clause.

Rumors to Montreal often state the Penguins are interested in goalies Jaroslav Halak or Huet, neither of whom are exactly established NHL goalies themselves.


In conclusion, I don't see the Penguins on the verge of trading Armstrong in the near future; it's just that other players in the lineup are doing well---Kennedy, BGL and even Jarrko Ruutu when he can stay out of the penalty box. Plus none of the oft-mentioned teams really have mutual reason or bait to make something happen.

Whispers from Canada.....

North of the border has been whispering a lot lately about the Penguins and their goalie situation. Last week, TSN's Bob McKenzie speculated that Ray Shero was growing impatient with Marc-Andre Fleury and was looking into a trade or free-agent signing to bolster the club with a little more proven goaltender.



Now we're hearing from an Ottawa newspaper that the Pens might be interested in Montreal goaler Jaroslav Halak. And not the first time, we're hearing that the Habs are interested in Colby Armstrong (who's name seems to be linked to MTL a lot). Bob Gainey, the Canadiens GM was at a recent Pens/Rangers game, which is unusual for a general manager to be at another team's game like that simply for routine scouting purposes.



I don't buy this rumor, I don't think Mr. Shero is looking to make a trade for a goalie anytime soon. Fleury hasn't been as reliable as hoped, but the whole team hasn't really hit a consistent stride yet. Also Halak is not a proven goalie, he hasn't even been in the NHL for a full calender year. I'd put more credibility if the Pens went for someone like Anaheim's backup, Ilya Brzgdsafhjadlof or someone a little more veteran.



And hey, if none of that works out there's always another possibility that just got dreamt up....

Who else threw up in their mouth a little bit?