Penguins can't keep Malkin and Sidney

[Dobber]

Impossible. Not in the new, tighter, cap world.

Cap is lower. It was hard to swing it before. Now, with the cap lower, it's damn near impossible. Both have no moves, but one will waive it. Talk to me again in 2017. Right around that time the pressure will be too much. One will have to go.

Also, do Pens fans want both of them? Chicago and Boston are proving that depth scoring helps more than an elite two-some. Are the Pens better off with Crosby and seven 60-point forwards? Or Crosby, Malkin and three 60-point forwards?


Anyway, glad he's staying. But that's my heart talking. My brain wonders if it's the right strategy

[robmyatt]

Next year when they have to give raises to Letang, Kunitz, Sutter & Despres it's going to be real interesting. The question is, how good is the NHL doing financially? If the NHL is doing real well then there is a chance the salary cap could go up by a couple million and provide a bit more wiggle room.

Trade Crosby to the Habs.

[rataylor22]

cap realistically might be down for only a couple years. 4 years from now it could be back in the 70-80 range and then I think it is manageable just fine

[ericdaoust]

http://www.defendingbigd.com/2013/3/...ord-percentage

[marsid6687]

Well, it looks like are going to keep both. Bye Letang & Fleury? Letang I feel is definitely going to be gone and no matter what they say about how confident they are in MAF I think he's going too.

[rataylor22]

Also if Malkin continues to work on his defensive game (he needs to get better, the playoffs showed that), I think it can work. Crosby and Malkin can drag players into the 60 point range. would you rather have seven 60 or two 100 and four 60?

[lucifer316]

i dont know this past season pitt had 5 60 point equivalent players while boston had 2 and chicago had 3

in 11-12 boston had 5 chicago had 4 and pitt had 4

they seem to have a pretty similar number of 60 point players as these other teams

[Carcillo]

Impossible. Not in the new, tighter, cap world.

Cap is lower. It was hard to swing it before. Now, with the cap lower, it's damn near impossible.

It was possible with a salary cap of $56.8 million and it sure as hell is possible with a salary cap of $64.3 million.

Also, do Pens fans want both of them?

Hell yes we do!

[hawkdog]

Malkin would look as an oiler.

Malkin for Gagne (signing rights), Eberle, Omark and a first.

[SeaDawg]

Pittsburgh will keep both Malkin and Crosby. I know it will be tough, especially if they want to re-sign/keep Letang also, but they will find a way to make it work.

[Ross The Boss Palmer]

Malkin would look as an oiler.

Malkin for Gagne (signing rights), Eberle, Omark and a first.

You forgot a dman and a goalie in that deal haha... Oh wait, Oilers don't have either either...?!

[ericdaoust]

Cap is going to increase big time next summer. Revenues so far are exceeding expectations and there are six outdoor games coming up which will become watered down over time but will provide a ton of HRR initially.

[Pengwin7]

I think PIT will be just fine with both Crosby/Malkin.

Looking at the last few Cup winners, one thing is evident.
Strong center(s).

DET: Datsyuk, Zetterberg
PIT: Crosby, Malkin
CHI: Toews
BOS: Bergeron, Krejci
LA: Kopitar, M.Richards

This is how you win a Stanley Cup. Two very good forward lines.
They've got Neal locked in at a good price and Kunitz likely to stay.
If we've learned anything about Crosby, it's that he can make anybody produce.

Also - it's an exceptional organization. Good coach, good GM, +Lemieux.
Players will play there at a slight discount.


And a week ago... everybody was talking about how Pittsburgh needs to change.
Q: Do they?
A: No.

Q: Why not?
A: Because the other contenders will face similar/tighter cap crunches?

Let's look at Boston... the main other challenge in the East.
1. How much do they give Rask? Probably $5m-$6m.
2. What about Horton after this playoffs? $5m?
3. Seidenberg has one year left, how much after that? $4m/year.
4. Bergeron has one year left, how much after that? $6m? $7m?

Boston is going to get the cap squeeze next summer.

PIT is still going to be the powerhouse in the East for the next 10 years.
And they'll hold both Crosby & Malkin. Crosby at $8.7m is still a discount. A major, major discount.
Every year, a veteran will join them for a shot at the cup.
Rinse.
Repeat.

[angus]

You simply have to keep two of the top five players in the world. Any time you get the chance to do that... especially considering both of them took cap hit cuts based on market value to stay.

[Dobber]

You simply have to keep two of the top five players in the world. Any time you get the chance to do that... especially considering both of them took cap hit cuts based on market value to stay.

I didn't like how the two best players in the world were manhandled by a team with zero players in the Top 25.

It proved to me that depth and specific roles rule