I can certainly tell that the lack of trade activity this early in the season is having an effect on some rumormongers when they start pulling trade ideas out of their butts that make absolutely no sense.
One that refuses to die is the cyberspace suggestion the Pittsburgh Penguins could/should shop rookie sensation Evgeni Malkin either by the trade deadline or at the June 2007 NHL entry draft.
The reasons for these suggestions/speculations are varied.
- Malkin supposedly doesn’t wanna play second fiddle to Sidney Crosby, even though the two have meshed well as teammates and linemates despite the language barrier.
Malkin obviously loves playing with “Sid the Kid”, but that hasn’t fully stopped this rumor as I still get the occasional e-mail from a reader claiming they'd either heard or read otherwise.
- The Penguins can’t afford to re-sign him, Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal, Ryan Whitney and Colby Armstrong so they’ll move Malkin for an affordable return.
Never mind the fact that the Pens are presently under new ownership and the future of the franchise depends on getting a new arena in Pittsburgh or relocating the club elsewhere. Either way, the Pens so-called budget problems could become much ado about nothing, at least when it comes to re-signing their talented youngsters over the next two-three years.
- The Penguins need more depth and Malkin could fetch three or four or five players, even though such a move would seriously gut the depth of most NHL teams plus raise serious cap issues for the Pens.
What the originators of these fantasies continually overlook is the fact the Penguins control Malkin’s rights under the current CBA until age 27 or seven completed NHL seasons, whichever comes first.
Even if he were to hold out for big bucks, the Pens don’t have to trade him. They can let him sit on the sidelines for as long as it takes until he gets back under contract.
Sure, the Pens need more depth right now but what's to say they won't have that depth in two years time? Say, more than enough depth to cover off Malkin's absence - and with youngsters like Crosby, Staal and Armstrong, I'd say they've got enough right there - should he stage a protracted holdout.
Don’t factor in a threat of playing in Russia under such a holdout, since his cloak-and-dagger departure from his former Russian club pretty much rules out the possibility of such a return as they’d still hold his playing rights in the Russian Super League.
So enough of the silly fantasies of a Malkin trade in the near future. It simply isn’t gonna happen.
I saw this rumor on hockeytraderumors.com and it was ridiculous. To me it was just some guy talking about the Pens' trading Malkin and Gonchar to the Avalanch for Liles and WOlski and a buncha other players in this "rumored" trade, along with draft picks.
If this happens, I will drink all of the juice out of a freshly opened Jimmy John's Kick-#### Roast Beef, pre-sliced. Trust me, it's as revolting as the trade rumor.
Thank you Spector - Someone has to stop the madness. It is the biggest joke rumor of the year. I'm so sick of seeing this one over and over.
I think when they do add some depth they will split Malkin and Crosby up and go with a one - two punch where they can have one of these guys on the ice for most of the game. Having Crosby, Malkin and Staal as your top three centers will be hard to play against no matter where they play. In two to three years they will be the absolute cream of the crop. The future of this franchise looks bright, the city needs to recognize this and make sure they get a new arena.
1) While we respect the Spector site and recommend it as a 'must read', we disagree with his Malkin assessment.
2) While he may not be traded as some, including our site has mentioned this season, it will come out that he does NOT want to remain in Pittsburgh for the long haul 'behind' Crosby.
3) That along with his and others' contract/salary cap liabilities make a Malkin swap a likelihood, and not a silly or ridiculous rumor concocted to fill page space.
1) As Gregsky correctly points out in 3 years with malkin, Sid, and Staal all being 'the cream of the crop', they will also demand 'cream of the crop' salaries.
2) No matter where the Pens are/their ownership is, the salary cap simply will not/can not sustain 3 superstar players. Especially when all 3 play the same position
1) BTW Spector errs in his 'hold out talk. If in 2 years Malkin is a RFA and 'holds out', how long before another team would swoop down and offer him the cap max?
2) Since Pitt would likely not be able to match they would lose Malkin for mere draft picks. If they can avoid that possibility they certainly will. How? By trading him BEFORE that occurs!
I agree that its unlikely but if i he was to be traded who could really fit him in and would be able to offer the right return. They wouldnt trade him in conference cause that would bite them in the future. So they would have to look west and of the teams that could afford him they couldnt offer the right return. I would love to see him in one of three jerseys a red wings, vancouver, or just to be with ovechkin in a capitals sweater. They have 3 #1 centers and they need depth, its crazy and would probably be a giant mistake but imagine the possibilities
There is nothing, anywhere, to substantiate any half-baked notion that Malkin doesn't wish to remain in Pittsburgh for the long haul behind Crosby. There's nothing anywhere to substantiate that he feels inferior to Crosby or a lesser player to Sid the Kid.
If the Penguins are still spending well below the cap ceiling when the contracts of Malkin & the others are due in two-three years, it might become a problem for them to retain them. However, if as I noted in my post the Penguins new ownership gives the green light to retain those players, it's not impossible for them to re-sign all three by 2009.
Where the problem comes for the Pens could be retaining them all beyond 2009, but that's not the concern the Penguins face right now and thus no reason to suggest Malkin will be traded at any time during his current contract. That's a baseless claim.
I didn't overlook the possibility of a team "swooping in" with an offer sheet at the cap max. I didn't mention it because it's a remote possibility at best. It's one thing for a team to offer a player like Ryan Kesler $1.9 million for one season. It's quite another to offer a player like Malkin between $8.5-$10 million for one season, which is where the cap max will likely be by 2009.
As we've seen, cap space is so limited by the time teams have tossed money at UFA players (some of whom'll be between 25-27 by 2009) that it leaves very little room for a club to do so to Malkin once the UFA spending frenzy is over.
Bottom line: Malkin loves playing for the Penguins, he loves playing with Crosby (as it quite evident whenever the two hook up on a scoring play), and given the possibility the Penguins could be in a better financial position by 2009, it's far too early to suggest they can't afford to retain him so they must dump him. There's no substantion he wants to leave or that the Penguins will move him.
"1) BTW Spector errs in his 'hold out talk. If in 2 years Malkin is a RFA and 'holds out', how long before another team would swoop down and offer him the cap max?
2) Since Pitt would likely not be able to match they would lose Malkin for mere draft picks. If they can avoid that possibility they certainly will. How? By trading him BEFORE that occurs!"
FAUXRUMOURS: They would match. And then trade him or others before season began.
Malkin isn't going anywhere. His value is sky-high, there are very few players out there of his caliber. You don't trade away these kinds of players. He's currently making the base amount of salary and is putting up great points. From a fanancial point of view, he's a bargain.
BTW: Imagine they trade Malkin away and Sid goes down with an injury for a long time...there goes all that depth at center. Staal's a good player but he isn't in the same class as Sid or Malkin.
I keep seeing things about a possible swap involving the Pens & Canucks, with the name Naslund showing up a lot. Have heard anything that would add creedence to this??
Spector: I heard through the grape vine that Malkin wanted out of Pittsburg (something about playing in Crosby's shadow), and demanded a trade to the Rangers! Also, I'm standing in a pool of dripping sarcasm...
fauxrumors and his numbered spam doesn't make any sense to me. Malkin looks unbelievably happy to be on the penguins, playing with a talented group. He's living out his childhood dream! Who in their right mind would throw that away? Lay off the soda crackers. Malkin will be with this franchise for most, if not all, of his career.
PiratePenguin: I've heard it but not via the media. I don't put any stock into it. Naslund's still carrying a big salary even with two months worth already paid, and I don't see the Pens dealing for him. Moreover, the Canucks offence is struggling so it wouldn't make any sense to trade their best and most experienced goalscorer at this point.
1) Hey Chaas, where/when did we SPAM anyone? We left no links. Made no attempts to advertise. Simply left our opinions on the subject created by the moderator
2) Sorry if our numbered bullets confuse you. Most prefer that method over droning run-on sentences.
3) We stand by our sources concerning Malkin. Though it will be some time before it is confirmed. Unlike other sites like Eklund, at least this moderator can accept diverging opinions, as do we.
Statement of my opinion found on the net, I will not leave my links.
I shall ignore Malkin's exubrance whenever he scores, the embracement of teammate Crosby, the fact he fled his home country to play for the Penguins or the fact that I'm quite positive the Penguins GM has a plan to sign his goalie, Whitney, Crosby, Staal and Malkin. Just like I'm sure the Buffalo GM has found a way to keep most of his surging scorers like Vanek, Afiniganov and Briere. Just like I'm sure Edmonton has thought about a way to sign Symth, like the way the Red Wings found a way to sign Lindstrom, Zetterburg and Datsyuk or like how the Rangers signed Straka, Nylander, Jagr, Prucha, Shanahan, Ward, Lundqvist and others.
Every team faces the struggle of the cap; to suggest that teams must resort to trading away their young, premiere players to meet it sounds a little idiotic. That's my opinion anyways... show me some links and facts for yours to substantiate your claim Malkin is unhappy and maybe I'll change.
I couldn't agree with your perspective more Spector!
I wouldn't worry about Faux...his blog is a pile of ****!
He thrives on posting made up stories like Malkin being unhappy, Pronger's wife being pregnant, and even had an interview with a Russian Mob boss...but had to use a Russian translator to talk to the mob boss who the FBI Profile claims that speaks fluent english!
He reads newstories then creates a blog and changes the date on it so it appears that he had set the rumour before anyone else! Then he creates his own commentors to say good job to himself! It is quite comical!
He even has said he is venturing on a tour of every NHL city...then gives details about it...but in 2 of the cities I was in I visited the seats he said he was sitting in and NOONE knew what I was talking about!
I would not waste time visting his blog...
To see what he was really up to you can read my blogs:
IMHockeyNutz.blogspot.com
and
InsiderBuster.blogspot.com
In the meantime Spector...keep up the hard work...many of us enjoy reading your informed articles daily!
Thanks,
HockeyNutz
Last edited by IMHockeyNutz on December 4th at 6:06 PM.
fauxrumors - Don't use my words to try and make your point more realistic. It is a joke plain and simple.
To say the salary cap can't sustain 3 star players on one team is absured. All you have to do is look at the Ducks, Devils, Sens, Canes, Lightning, etc., they all manage just fine with 3 star players.
To even suggest that the Pens don't have a plan to retain the 3 future stars and would have to trade as the only option is unfounded.
I find it funny that every time HockeyNutz shows up and exposes you, you run off. Put some facts in your statements or at least back them up with some facts. That is why we go to Spectors site and his blog, it's all about the facts.
I heard from a very secure and respected source that Malkin AND Crosby are to be tradedon X-mass eve to the Montreal Canadiens in return for David Aebisher and Patrick Traverse. But Gainey hasn't decided for sure yet if it is a fair price to pay sending Traverse away. He would do it on the spot if it was Aebisher and Dawney.
1) Um, we never 'run off'. We made our statement then let others respond. Unlike others we don't resort to name calling when someone disagrees with us.
2) We stand by our record. Many detractors are simply jealous. But thats OK. : )
LOL, Crosby and Malkin for two Hab bums! I suppose trading them to Philly for Robert Esche and Derian Hatcher would be a foolish move by Philly right? I give you an "A" for your imagination on that one...maybe Santa will bring it to you!
There is NO WAY that the Pens will trade Malkin before the end of this contract or his next one. The Penguins Ownership and Ray Shero will make sure of it, just like the Lightning managed to secure contracts with Vinnie, Marty and Brad. Which as everyone can remember, the rumour-mongers were sure would never happen. The Pens would trade Staal to free up dollars, before they even considered letting go of Malkin.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
