Buzz: Could The Pens Move Malkin?
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal wonders if its time for the Pittsburgh Penguins to trade Evgeni Malkin.
The Penguins have nearly $11 million in cap space while Malkin, 23, makes $8.7 million for the next four years.
Malkin, who has four years left on his contract, is hardly excess baggage, but if Shero were to pick up the phone and start canvassing his lodge-brothers he might get what he sorely needs — two top-six forwards. If he could get two wingers who make about $8 million total that would be less than Malkin’s $8.7-million cap hit, and maybe a team would throw in a stocking stuffer, too.
One scenario Matheson lists is for Malkin is to Edmonton for players like Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner whose combined salaries are close to that of Malkin’s.
…Thats really not a terrible deal for Pittsburgh. Yes, Malkin is easily in the top three of talented players in the league, but he could net two top six forwards and probably another young player or prospect or pick. Plus they have Jordan Staal who can step up as the number two center.
I doubt they trade Malkin though. He is just too good to move unless they can get two or three high quality players in return.
Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review writes:
To give up Geno, the Penguins must get the world in return. If they get it, their Cup window won’t be limited to three seasons, as it will be with the three-center plan.
It must include a top-line wing, a top-pairing defenseman, two roster players and either two top prospects or two first-round picks.
…The world or Dustin Penner? Maybe Matheson undersells what Malkin could get and maybe Rossi expects to much in return but its some combo where the Pens can add two or three pieces immediately and maybe a pick down the line.
