Comments on: Should the PENS Be Sellers, Soon?

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:21:16 +0000

I’d like to take back what I siad about Jordan Staal. Ray Shero is a lot smarter than I am!

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:22:34 +0000

If there is to be a trade this season it’s not likely going to be Sykora but it most likely will be Jordan Staal. Staal is a third line center who could be traded for a major upgrade on the wing where we need it. For this year OR NEXT YEAR.
If we lose to the Flyers and Capitals and it appears the playoffs are NOT going to happen I think for sure that a trade will be made at the deadline.
One of the team’s looking for centers is Columbus. They are desperate to make the playoffs for the first time. They lost a prospect center, Bassard, and are playing Malhotra, Umberger, Williams and Peca at center. Their need is a center and right-hand shooting defenseman and the trade could be Staal and Whitney. In return I would think (going young wings here) they would look at a combo something like Nikita Filatov and Jakub Voracek in return. I think they will attempt to re-sign Sykora unless the salary cap next season forces things that we don’t know yet.

By: PKrundle

PKrundle — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:35:42 +0000

Thought I’d toss my 2 cents in… If we get rid of Sykora won’t we then need two Sykora’s one for Malkin and one for Crosby??

By: DR Hook

DR Hook — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:28:49 +0000

What’s with Jordan Staal being a core player is that the kid’s 20 years old. This kid stands to be a monster. Personally, I think he’ll develop into a premier power forward and he’s earning his keep on the penalty kill.
Suppose we took Jonathan Toews or Niklas Backstrom in that draft where do you think they’d be playing right now?
I hear what you saying about Whitney and Staal for Kovalchuk… but this isn’t EA sports, is it. It’s nice talk but most every one of those rumors turn out to be nothing but fabrication.
As to Horton… it probably would depend if Florida would be sellers but right now that’s very much in doubt.

By: DR Hook

DR Hook — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:22:25 +0000

Kovalev??? Please, not another retread. Didn’t we do that with Recchi! Kovalev is done, and has some attitude problems in Montreal. Whether it’s him or his coach, it doesn’t matter. The Rangers and Montreal are in a slide but there’s only one puck to go around and he’s more of a puck hog than Malkin or Crosby.

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:48:03 +0000

As to those “core” players what’s with Jordan Staal being one of them? Staal’s signed and apparently can’t play the wing. That’s too much money for a third line center and PK player. The Pens screwed up in that draft by opting for Staal instead of Jonathan Toews, or Niklas Backstrom both of them centers also. Staal has major trade value right now same as Whitney who you also list as a core player. Did you miss Staal blowing another MT almost MT netter on the pass from Kennedy? That happens too often. Whitney and Staal is another $7m which coincidently happens to be close to the salary of Illya Kovalchuk and Gabork ($7.5). A lot less than Nathan Horton ($3.5). If we could negotiate and get an agreement with Marian Gaborik (ahead of time) either of these would be major IMPACT for next season. A lot more than keeping Whitney and Staal.

By: Ron Malore

Ron Malore — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:25:53 +0000

Could Alex Kovalev be in the picture here? Montreal has him under “house arrest” they taken off on a road trip and left him home alone. Strange move for sure. Especially for a team like the Rangers who are a hope to slide down the ladder if we do put together a win streak.