Malone comin' back to the 'burgh...?

It's all over the net that Tampa Bay winger Ryan Malone could be headed back to Pittsburgh. What??!? I'm pretty torn on this one. When Bugsy was with the Penguins, I was a definite fan. I understood why he left - TB way overpaid for him. I'm hearing TB wants quite a bit to send Malone back home (He was born in Pittsburgh) I'm hearing a 1st round pick and a prospect.
Ouch
This is to get a guy that everybody agrees is overpaid for a lot of years - he's under contract until 12/13 at 4.25 mill/year.....
Ouch
There are 2 significant reasons Shero would try to bring Malone back:
1. Chemistry - we've seen the first several months this year in Pittsburgh what the effects of bad chemistry on a young team can be...it is valuable, but at what price? (could be 4.25 mill/year)
2.The way Malone went above and beyond in the playoffs last year....this pic says it all
This guy was an absolute warrior in the playoffs last year......he was willing to continually run through a brick wall for his team, and according to the above pic, he did that a lot.

It's funny, but every time i see a Pitt/TB game, you can almost expect Malone to rip off his Lightning jersey, and skate over to the Pens bench...just sayin
This should be interesting....

More Rumors

Martin Havlat


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A few phrases come to mind when I think of Havlat - Pure skill, and Made of Glass. When healthy, he is one of the top skilled players in the entire league. The problem is, it's just not very often that he's healthy. Havlat and Gaborik share this problem. I can actually see Shero going for this guy - if this is the case, hopefully we don't give up too much.

Nik Antropov

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What can you say about this guy? He's 6'6 and only 26 years old. Some nights (usually against the Pens) he looks like a total all-star. Then other nights he's totally invisible...like, totally. Granted, he is something that is needed (a big body that parks in front of the net) - I'm not sure he would fit in real well on this run 'n gun team. He would quickly become Pittsburgh's newest whipping boy. He doesn't seem like he really cares a lot of the time. Burke is asking alot for him as well. Again - be careful with this one Mr. Shero...




Marian Gaborik

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I'm hearing a lot of chatter about Marion Gaborik...I've heard this in the past, but I quickly disregarded any Gaborik rumors, because he's been injured all year, and its pretty much the same situation as Marion Hossa last year - and we all know what happened there......tread very carefully Mr Shero!

More rumors

Here is a list of all the players I'm hearing about that could be wearing Black and Vegas Gold in a few days: (in no particular order)

Alexander Frolov

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I would love to see Frolov in a Pens jersey - he would be that elite winger for Sid. It would take a lot to pry him out of LA though...

Martin St. Louis

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Again, I would like to see St. Louis skating along side Sid. He has Stanley Cup winning experience, and his speed and explosive offense would be welcomed. A few worries include his age(34 soon) and size - especially skating with Sid - who is diminutive at best.

Ryan Smyth

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As I stated before, Smyth would be an interesting addition to the Pens. He is NOT cap friendly (6.25 million/year) but he does bring valuable intangibles to the table. From what I'm hearing the talks between the Pens and Avalanche have cooled in regards to Smyth. I'm hearing he very well could be heading to Calgary....I'm sure the Oilers fans would LOVE that (thats sarcasm, folks)

Chris Neil

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This last off season, the Pens lost key players such as Malone, Ruutu, Laraque, Roberts, etc. With those players, left a lot of grit and toughness. General Manager Ray Shero was duped by Marian Hossa, who strung Shero along for a few days, then at the last minute signed with Detroit. Because of that, Shero was forced to sign a few players he had no intention to sign, namely Satan and Fedotenko. Neither of these guys will be mistaken as tough (although Fedotenko is starting to come around) and as a whole, the Penguins went from being one of the toughest teams to play against to one of the easier teams. Shero, who has seen the error of his ways, is going to sign a gritty player like Chris Neil or...

Ian Laperriere

(Laperriere is the white guy that was apparently punched in the face by Mike Tyson)

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Laperriere has a ton of playoff experience, and like Chris Niel is tough to play against. I'm hearing Pittsburgh will be going after Laperriere if Neil falls through.


Jarko Ruutu

(Ruutu is the one getting his eyeball raked by Tucker)

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Yes, I've heard rumblings that GM Ray Shero has inquired about Ruutu who now plays with Ottawa. Shero wanted to resign Ruutu last year (when he was with the Pens), but wanted to sign him to a 2 year deal - Ruutu wanted a 3 year deal. I would love Ruutu back in a Pens jersey. Can you imagine playing on a line that consists of both Ruutu and Cooke? Ya, have fun with that one....

Milan Hejduk

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I don't really know a lot about this guy, other than i like to call him Hedge-Duck. I keep hearing rumors that he will retire after next year, so I'm not sure Pittsburgh should go after this guy. He's 33 years old - someone younger would be more attractive.....does have a ring from his days in Colorado

Mario pushing for Tampa deal

It looks as though Mario Lemieux is pushing Shero to trade for Marty St. Louis..

From TIOPS:

A source tells me talks with Tampa Bay are intensifying. My source believes Mario Lemieux is highly involved and is pushing Shero to finalize a deal "very soon" that would send Whitney as the centerpiece of a potential deal. St. Louis has not been asked to waive his NTC yet. Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts may be an influencing factor as they both don't like Penguins head coach Michel Therrien. Mario played a strong factor in Gary Roberts waiving his NTC and may have to work that same magic again.

As mentioned a few days ago, the lightning are looking at Whitney, Goligoski, Talbot and Jeffrey. I was told today that it doesn't appear Goligoski will be involved.

The Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens remain interested in Ryan Whitney. The Penguins have declined an offer from the Buffalo Sabres and the two side aren't seen as good trade partners.

I know last year Mario pushed Shero to acquire Hossa, and we know what happened there. I love the fact that St. Louis knows what it takes to win a Cup, but I'm not sure its wise to deal a 26 year old offensive dman for a 34 year old....Shero also better make sure St. Louis signs an extension before he finalizes this trade.

Colby Armstrong rumored to return to Pens

Yahoo Sports reported Armstrong and his crazy nose could be headed back to the Pens.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Aq.6_qVg93ndh1HskN.xLWB7vLYF?slug=rumorstakeflightinpittsb&prov=tsn&type=lgns

It sounds like the asking price will be Alex Goligoski. If this is true, I hope Shero doesn't do this deal - Gogo is way more valuable to the Pens than Armstrong would be. I liked Army when he played here, but lets look at him for what he really is - a 3rd line player. If he did join the Pens, he would be immediately reunited with Crosby on the first line. Just what the Penguins need - another 3rd liner on the top line. It seems like there might be problems in the Pens locker room this year compared to the last few - it just doesn't seem like its a very close team. If Army came back, that would definitely help. (He's buddies with Crosby)

Basically, the Pens forwards consist of:
2 of the best players in the world (Malkin & Crosby)
1 good winger (Sykora)
1 good up and coming center (Staal)
8 3rd and 4th liners

This team needs a top winger for Crosby. Right now (for most of his career) his talents are being wasted with lesser talents like Dupuis, Kennedy Talbot, etc. The one time Crosby actually had an elite winger (Hossa) they came within 2 victories of the Cup. I realize elite snipers are difficult to come by - let alone afford - but I believe Shero will do what is necessary.

In Shero I Trust

Trade Banter

There's a lot of talk on a lot of web sites about the upcoming trade deadline....There's also a lot of talk about how Shero is willing to move either Staal or Whitney (or both) for an elite winger. Here's a few of the names being thrown around - I'm not saying any of these make sense, just ones I'm hearing about:
Martin St. Louis
Martin Havlat
Bill Guerin
Keith Tkachuk
and more...

Here's one I'd REALLY like to see - its a trade that makes sense for both teams:

To LA :

Staal - 4 Mill
Whitney 4 Mill
Satan 3.5 Mill

to Pittsburgh

Frolov - 4 mill
Jack Johnson 2.5 Mill
O'Donnell - 1.25

Before you laugh - TIOPS (The Insider On Pittsburgh Sports) reported that LA contacted Shero on the availability of Satan (I'm not sure why, but whatever)

AND - the only way I'd do this deal, is if Shero signs Frolov and Jonson to long term deals before the trigger is pulled...

Other moves I'd consider (if my above blockbuster doesn't happen) :

Satan to the Oilers for a 4th round pick

Boucher to Ducks for a 3rd round pick

Bissonette and a 2nd round pick for Antropov (scoff if you will, but Burke really likes Biz)

Whitney & Dupuis for Frolov, O'Donnell and 2nd round pick

2nd and 3rd rounder for Chris Neil

PLAYOFF LINES

Antropov - Crosby - Frolov
Fedetenko- Malkin - Sykora
Cooke- Staal -Kennedy
Caputi-Talbot -Neil

Gonchar- Orpik
Letang - Scuds
O'Donnell/Gogo- Gill

That would be a tough lineup to play against.

A lot more coming up about trade rumors and stuff like that.