(Forget my prediction about Feds not working out in Washington)
Now Ray Shero is doing the FA shuffle.
Being a Kings fan who is quite knowledgeable about the Pens, here's the major players and what I'd do with them. Take it for what it's worth.
1) Marian Hossa
Why you sign him: Big time, consistent offensive numbers.
Why you don't: Will be super expensive, already have a lot of scoring depth
Hossa stepped up big time in the post season netting 26 points. That's great, but you don't make these kinds of deals to sign the guy later, especially not when you know you've got to sign/ lock up half the damn team in a couple of months. Hossa was brought in to help Pitts win a Cup. It didn't happen. Does that make it a failure? Ah, sorta-kinda.
Here's the thing you have to ask yourself- if the Pens would've won the cup, do you resign Hossa? Probably not. You appreciate what he did for you, mourn for what you gave up, and enjoy the Cup. That's the very reason you don't resign him now. He's going to be too expensive. If the Pens sign Hossa, not only did they give up Armstrong and Esposito, they net gave up whoever else they can't sign. Hossa's great, but he's not worth that much to a team who already was averaging just over three goals a game in the regular season.
I tell ya though, if the rumors are true and Hossa really does want to stay in Pittsburgh, go with the "win-now" and offer him a two year contract at like say 10 million total. It's less money than he'd get on the open market, but it's also less time. Hossa will still be commanding huge stacks of cash in two years and if he's serious about winning a Cup with the Pens, he'll take it then move on for the long dough.
2) Ryan Malone
Why you sign him: Fan favorite, MUCH needed physical presence with offensive skills
Why you don't: Might ask more than he's really worth
Malone is great on the Pens. He's got B line (sometimes A line) hands but a big frame and a nose for the net. He doesn't mind standing in front of goalies and he sure as hell can take abuse. Take all that into account and also realize he's a fan favorite and has some family history with the Pens Org.
The only reason I can think of you don't sign him is he asks too much. In the post-lockout NHL, there isn't enough room for guys like Malone. When you compare his salary to the stars of the league who are making around 8-10 million a season, you can't really honestly expect Malone to ask for much more than 3 or 4 million over a relatively short contract. He had a nice playoff and he's still probably not yet lived up to his young potential, but keep in mind he also played for an extremely talented team on one of the most skilled lines in the league. I really hope Ottawa or some other team desperate for a forward with Malone's pedigree doesn't do a redux on the Boston Martin Lapointe contract and pay him a bunch because he really isn't worth it.
3) Marc-Andre Fleury
Why you sign him: One of the best young goaltenders in the game
Why you don't: Big contract, goalies are flaky by nature
The Pens were lucky enough to actually have a 1st round goalie pick work out, they need to make hay while the sun shines and sign this kid. Not signing him, from where I sit, isn't even an option. Fleury is definitely the kind of player that would make you regret signing him when he ends up on another team and wins a Cup in two seasons. It's unusual to see a kid this icy in net at such a young age. Unless he's just asking for insane money, you sign him- he's a cornerstone of your franchise, even more so now that the Pens have committed to "win-now."
4) Jordan Staal
Why you sign him: Big F'in Kid, adds to team toughness, solid defense
Why you don't: Offense?
Staal is a bit of a head scratcher to me. I'm not sure if he's so good on defense that Therrien didn't want to put him on one of the top two lines or if the kid just doesn't have hands at the NHL level. In any case, as he currently sits, he's a valuable part of the Penguins PK and defense.
If Malone walks, signing Staal becomes a priority. If he doesn't, it isn't so much. Throw the kid a 3 or 4 year deal for around 2.5 with some bonuses and see if he bites. If he doesn't, you can find other big third liners for cheaper (probably a few in Wilkes-Barre).
5) Evgeni Malkin
Why you sign him: He's one of the top five players in the league. Period.
Why you don't: Because you want to be fired as GM
Seriously, unless this kid asks for 20 million a year for 13 years or something, there is no reason you don't sign Malkin. Forget the playoffs and remember the way this kid stepped up when Sid went down. Why? Because Sid is going to go down. He plays more physical than his body allows. He's going to get hurt for 10-20 games every year. When that happens, you need somebody to pick up the battle standard and become the new go to guy. That guy is Malkin. How anyone who calls themself a hockey fan can look at this kid and say he isn't worth the money is absolutely nuts. And stop with the Jagr comparisions- this kid is light years away from where Jagr was back in the day.
Honest to God, if you made me a GM and said you can build your team around Crosby or Malkin, I'd take Malkin. That's not a slight to Crosby, I just think this kid has an offensive upside to rival Crosby and one important thing Sid doesn't have- size. Once Malkin figures out he's 6'3 and about 200 pounds and can throw his body around and forecheck as hard as Malone and Staal? The other team's forwards are going to be like Bill Paxton in Aliens: game over, man. The only player in the friggin' league with more upside than this kid is Ovechkin. Don't believe me? Save this post and show it to me in 10 years. We'll see who had the crystal ball.
No comments:
Post a Comment