It's the epitome of not seeing the forest through the trees. If the guy is legit a 15 goal scorer a year and takes a regular shift for the next few years, why worry about a 3rd rounder in TWO drafts from now? That likely wouldn't take a shift until 2029. FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.

Fans in all fanbases do this and it's hilarious
- Aaron_85

It isnt the 3rd round pick I find funny about giving up, you are 100% right... its the fact that this guy was on waivers 3 months ago. I dont see how this deal had to include a condition about a 3rd round pick.

If you're just looking at giveaways/takeaways, sure haha...but 60+ point dman?...thats only happened 5 times for the Penguins in the last 25 years...two times Tanger, two times Gonchar and 1 time Larry Murphy....and they all were on anywhere from good to great PP's in those seasons. The sh!t PP this season has a lot of blame, not just Ek.

Top 3 in giveaways for all skaters in all situations this season:

1) Kucherov
2) Forsberg
3) Draisaitl

Only Drais (+2) has more takeaways than give aways of these three. Kuch (-26) and Forsberg (-21) have a bigger discrepancy of GA/TA's than Ek (-19) does.

EDIT: I think Jakob Chychrun has the worst GA/TA discrepency at -46...crazy
- MattStrat

If the penguins PP was good and the pens were in 1st place that would great. But neither are true. So this makes EK expendable, especially at 10 mil for the next 3 years. Do you think at this rate the penguins will be in the playoffs the next 3 years? It looks like dubas has seen enough already to throw the towel in by trading guentzel..Would rather have jake or EK? If and that's a big IF dubas thinks this team is a playoff team? I don't it see it though, but that's me.

When dubas moves jake I would rid sullivan at the same time. But as everyone knows I've been hoping for sullivan to be fired for years.

In no way do I want to diminish Malkin's accomplishments but no one is giving you that for a 37 years old player. The time for getting a big haul for him is in the past.

The GM who would do that deal would be commiting career suicide.
- Garfield512

So if Sakic trades 2 1sts for Malkin and they win the cup, you think he is committing career suicide?

Malkin is having a completely uninspired season. But he has been half assing it and still has .8 PPG. Not to mention he has been playing with a rotating mish mash of wingers with Smith, Rackell & DOC being his most common this season. He is still a PPG player with top 6 caliber wingers.

Im not saying I expect it, but if Hagel can draw 2 1sts I would at least listen to see if anyone else would do the same with Malkin if they think he puts them over the top.

So if Sakic trades 2 1sts for Malkin and they win the cup, you think he is committing career suicide?

Malkin is having a completely uninspired season. But he has been half assing it and still has .8 PPG. Not to mention he has been playing with a rotating mish mash of wingers with Smith, Rackell & DOC being his most common this season. He is still a PPG player with top 6 caliber wingers.

Im not saying I expect it, but if Hagel can draw 2 1sts I would at least listen to see if anyone else would do the same with Malkin if they think he puts them over the top.
- MacPatty

Getting one 1st might be possible from a contending team but getting more than that is wishful thinking IMO.

Non contending teams are not wasting picks/prospects on a 37 years old player, it's not a slight against Malkin but his best days are behind him ... it is what it is.

So if Sakic trades 2 1sts for Malkin and they win the cup, you think he is committing career suicide?

Malkin is having a completely uninspired season. But he has been half assing it and still has .8 PPG. Not to mention he has been playing with a rotating mish mash of wingers with Smith, Rackell & DOC being his most common this season. He is still a PPG player with top 6 caliber wingers.

Im not saying I expect it, but if Hagel can draw 2 1sts I would at least listen to see if anyone else would do the same with Malkin if they think he puts them over the top.
- MacPatty

The problem is you are looking at Malkin through the scope of his past accomplishes/dominance.

He isnt close to that player anymore. He's 81st in scoring and has 44 points in 55 games. That isnt a big deal for a player and hardly worth a 1st let alone 2.

Hagel was traded for such a big price because he had a good contract from what I remember. So a cap stricken team like Tampa was willing to pay more for him. Malkin isnt a bargin at his deal. Its the argument I've made for why Jake should be traded for a lot more than the market value of him. He could be had at only $3M annual cap hit if we retain 50%.

All of this is moot... Malkin has a NMC and isnt going to waive it nor is Dubas going to ask him to.

Getting one 1st might be possible from a contending team but getting more than that is wishful thinking IMO.

Non contending teams are not wasting picks/prospects on a 37 years old player, it's not a slight against Malkin but his best days are behind him ... it is what it is.
- Garfield512

Yep, we are on the same page I think. All I was saying is that we should listen. Do I think it is likely someone would give up 2 1sts? Absolutely not. But I do think there is an outside shot that a contender misses out on someone they want and gets desperate. Vegas, Edmonton, Colorado, Florida & Carolina are all teams that should be all in. Outside of that group, I don't think there is any team that should be interested.

Yep, we are on the same page I think. All I was saying is that we should listen. Do I think it is likely someone would give up 2 1sts? Absolutely not. But I do think there is an outside shot that a contender misses out on someone they want and gets desperate. Vegas, Edmonton, Colorado, Florida & Carolina are all teams that should be all in. Outside of that group, I don't think there is any team that should be interested.
- MacPatty

Monahan got us (Montreal) a 1st from Winnipeg and he has nowhere close the pedigree Malkin has ... it's all about what can you do for me now and not what you've done in the past.

Anything is possible, that is assuming Malkin accepts being moved.

If the penguins PP was good and the pens were in 1st place that would great. But neither are true. So this makes EK expendable, especially at 10 mil for the next 3 years. Do you think at this rate the penguins will be in the playoffs the next 3 years? It looks like dubas has seen enough already to throw the towel in by trading guentzel..Would rather have jake or EK? If and that's a big IF dubas thinks this team is a playoff team? I don't it see it though, but that's me.

When dubas moves jake I would rid sullivan at the same time. But as everyone knows I've been hoping for sullivan to be fired for years.
- jb55

Guentzal was traded?

To answer your question, I do think its possible they are in the playoffs in the next 3 years. Probably best chance of the next 3 years would be next season. Dubas has admitted that his approach of a scoring top six and defensive bottom 6 has failed. So, he may correct some of that. He stated the desire to get younger. His defense pick ups of Ek and Graves will be in their 2nd seasons, not far fetched at all they are better next season when more acclimated to the Penguins.

IMO its a crazy thing to say that a RD eating up 25 mins a game (who is +9 and has strong underlying numbers doing so) that is on pace for over 60 points is expendable. Extremely hard piece to obtain or draft in this league.

Just looked into it and Ek is averaging 0.98 giveaways per game in all situations this season....last season, when he won the Norris, he averaged 1.23 a game.

If the penguins PP was good and the pens were in 1st place that would great. But neither are true. So this makes EK expendable, especially at 10 mil for the next 3 years. Do you think at this rate the penguins will be in the playoffs the next 3 years? It looks like dubas has seen enough already to throw the towel in by trading guentzel..Would rather have jake or EK? If and that's a big IF dubas thinks this team is a playoff team? I don't it see it though, but that's me.

When dubas moves jake I would rid sullivan at the same time. But as everyone knows I've been hoping for sullivan to be fired for years.
- jb55

I'll agree I'm not sure they can get back into the playoffs anytime soon. Think they'd need an unexpected boost from their youth

But, their stated goal is to compete, just not dealing futures to do it, so I think they will keep trying with EK and other vets rather than have a complete fire sale that might be smarter

I'll agree I'm not sure they can get back into the playoffs anytime soon. Think they'd need an unexpected boost from their youth

But, their stated goal is to compete, just not dealing futures to do it, so I think they will keep trying with EK and other vets rather than have a complete fire sale that might be smarter
- Tojo.

See, the fire sale comments and wants are not the reality of situation at all. Not while Sid is there. I just find people thinking its going to happen are a bit delusional. It's not happening haha. So, with that in mind, yes, they will keep trying to make playoffs by tinkering with roster around the older guys....for better or worse....

EK has been playing like a $7-8M D man, which is far greater value than Petry + Granlund.
- MickV

The PP is better without EK and Granlund would have been in the top six for most of this season. So I don’t think that statement is necessarily true. Granlund would also likely be on the Number 2 pp over Eller. I personally just would never commit that much to a defenseman period.

How do you feel about Fox, and his only 500k less cap hit than Ek, on your Rangers?
- MattStrat

Would you trade EK for Fox if you had the opportunity?

Would you trade EK for Fox if you had the opportunity?
- hfc355

Expiring contract

See, the fire sale comments and wants are not the reality of situation at all. Not while Sid is there. I just find people thinking its going to happen are a bit delusional. It's not happening haha. So, with that in mind, yes, they will keep trying to make playoffs by tinkering with roster around the older guys....for better or worse....
- MattStrat

Well I think you can blow things up and still compete with Sid. You could trade Jake, Rackell, Karlsson and Jarry and still put together a team that can compete.

Lots of options in free agency and there are hockey trades you can make with those guys that would bring back really good roster players.

I agree with you 100% that they are still going to try to compete. But I think they are going to do it through asset management and risk taking. Or at least I hope they will.

Would you trade EK for Fox if you had the opportunity?
- hfc355

Answering a question with a question... nice work.

Bottom line is you're sh!tting all over a 10 mill Dman when you basically have one as well, except our 10 mill dman has been better at even strength, which is usually indicitive of a better player in general, this season and has 3 Norris trophies.

To your answer your question, because it's the right way to communicate, yes, I would probably trade for the guy 7 years younger with comparable numbers... albeit comparable numbers on a much stronger, deeper team with a 4th overall ranked PP....

This is where I'm at

Still keeping Sid, Geno, Letang

Rust is closest to that group. Tough contact to move though he currently outperforms his cap hit. And I'd like to move Malkin to Sid's wing if Jake leaves and Rust feels like a good compliment.

EK I think is hard to move but also offers significant value to the team that's not easily replaced. I'm expecting keeping him is better because the cost to move him and get a replacement feels like worse than a wash, but I could be wrong on that.

I think Rackell is going nowhere. Smith and Jake probably are. I'd expect the team to add back a top six, preferably one who can play C, and go with someone like DOC while hoping Yager grabs the spot.

Petterson I am willing to listen and if someone wants to pay big I'll consider moving.

Eller can stay or go, would move for a third.

Think we're stuck with Graves and have to hope he improves.

Ned goes as a rental. Jarry I'd have to really be bowled over by a deal, but supposedly might be a good market to trade a goalie so I'd at least listen

TLDR: I'm keeping the core three, not sacrificing futures to move tough contracts, and willing to listen on most everyone else, though for players like Jarry and Petterson I'd want a great return or else I'd keep them.

Pens Inside Scoop·53m
Mike Sullivan said Bryan Rust is week to week with an upper-body injury.

Don't look now but four of our top six wings are 25 or younger.

Answering a question with a question... nice work.

Bottom line is you're sh!tting all over a 10 mill Dman when you basically have one as well, except our 10 mill dman has been better at even strength, which is usually indicitive of a better player in general, this season and has 3 Norris trophies.

To your answer your question, because it's the right way to communicate, yes, I would probably trade for the guy 7 years younger with comparable numbers... albeit comparable numbers on a much stronger, deeper team with a 4th overall ranked PP....
- MattStrat

So point being there is no market for EK or to create one Pens would have to eat salary or add assets. He is not bringing a return as poster suggested he would. On the other hand if Fox was put on the market he would bring a large return. Not shy on EK just stating at his age..his salary..he has no market. Guy is a future HOF but his best days are behind him.

Don't look now but four of our top six wings are 25 or younger.
- Thunderbolt

If only we had a true number 2 center.

See, the fire sale comments and wants are not the reality of situation at all. Not while Sid is there. I just find people thinking its going to happen are a bit delusional. It's not happening haha. So, with that in mind, yes, they will keep trying to make playoffs by tinkering with roster around the older guys....for better or worse....
- MattStrat

Dubas just said he's keeping the core, and he considered EK part of the core. Any discussion that includes trading one of those guys seems futile IMO.

The highlighted part was essentially confirmed by Dubas's presser. It sounded like he's willing to listen on anything else as he will attempt to move some players with the intention of getting youth around the old guys.

Kind of funny, I thought they'd move Petts a couple of years ago. Now, I think he's a "must keep" if they intend to compete next year. To bad Graves turned out to be a dumpster fire.

Dubas just said he's keeping the core, and he considered EK part of the core. Any discussion that includes trading one of those guys seems futile IMO.

The highlighted part was essentially confirmed by Dubas's presser. It sounded like he's willing to listen on anything else as he will attempt to move some players with the intention of getting youth around the old guys.

Kind of funny, I thought they'd move Petts a couple of years ago. Now, I think he's a "must keep" if they intend to compete next year. To bad Graves turned out to be a dumpster fire.
- madmike71

Well keeping Sullivan and the EK trade in general pretty much sums up how much of a terrible GM Dubas is.

Working in Vancouver this week but working too late to go to the game. Curious how this new top line will look. I’m sure Sid will carry them.

This is where I'm at

Still keeping Sid, Geno, Letang

Rust is closest to that group. Tough contact to move though he currently outperforms his cap hit. And I'd like to move Malkin to Sid's wing if Jake leaves and Rust feels like a good compliment.

EK I think is hard to move but also offers significant value to the team that's not easily replaced. I'm expecting keeping him is better because the cost to move him and get a replacement feels like worse than a wash, but I could be wrong on that.

I think Rackell is going nowhere. Smith and Jake probably are. I'd expect the team to add back a top six, preferably one who can play C, and go with someone like DOC while hoping Yager grabs the spot.

Petterson I am willing to listen and if someone wants to pay big I'll consider moving.

Eller can stay or go, would move for a third.

Think we're stuck with Graves and have to hope he improves.

Ned goes as a rental. Jarry I'd have to really be bowled over by a deal, but supposedly might be a good market to trade a goalie so I'd at least listen

TLDR: I'm keeping the core three, not sacrificing futures to move tough contracts, and willing to listen on most everyone else, though for players like Jarry and Petterson I'd want a great return or else I'd keep them.
- Tojo.

I'd trade Jarry (if we could get a good price for him). Resign Ned in the offseason and bring back Fleury as a backup.