Avs and Centers, cont'd
Posted 10:19 PM ET | Comments 10
So, as everyone knows, Super Joe Sakic is out for the next three months thanks to his snowblower accident. Avs bloggers have already began talking about possibilities and so this blog is simply a continuation of their ideas.
If Colorado decides they need to trade for a center, it should be someone who is a great team player and a really good all-around player. Scotty Gomez's name continues to float around, the latest rumor having him go to Vancouver for Schneider, a top-6 roster forward and a 1st rd pick (see www.hockeyleaks.com for more information). I don't think Gomez is someone we need. He's a great player and a leader, but is not the kind of goal scorer this team needs.
We could start rattling off a huge list of names that would be a good fit for this team, centers and wingers, but let's narrow it down to one particular Russian player. His name? Evgeni Malkin.
Now before you start trying to crucify me for what will come next, just think through it with me. I'm not a GM, so I don't know that this would work at all. The crucial thing to keep in mind is that this is an idea, nothing more.
The Penguins are searching desperately for depth on the wings, as well as some help on D, especially with the loss of Hal Gill recently. While Colorado doesn't have a HUGE amount of depth I think we could give our young guns a shot...
To Colorado: Evgeni Malkin (and MAYBE a 2nd or 3rd Rd pick in either '09 or '10)
To Pittsburgh: Marek Svatos, Wojtek Wolski, Brett Clark and a 1st Rd pick in 2010
For Colorado, our salary would sit around $46.6M this year, while Pittsburgh would sit $54.9M this year. I know, this doesn't sound like a great deal for the Pens money-wise.
Pros: Malkin is a great team player, a setup man AND a sniper. He's an all-around All-Star and, IMO, a complete player. He can take control of a game and win it for you single-handedly. Also, his contract ends in 2013.
Cons: We give up a lot of good young talent. While some can stomach the idea of losing Svatos, it's even more wrenching to think about losing Wolly. Malkin's salary for 2009/2010-2012/2013 is a balmy $8.7M per. Ouch. We would lose depth on our wings.
This might leave our roster looking like this:
Hensick, Malkin, Hejduk
Smyth, Stastny, Stewart
Tucker, Arnason, Jones
McLeod, McCormick, Lapperiere
As for Cap considerations the following year...
Colorado: approx. $43.5M committed to just 8 players.
Pittsburgh: approx. $41M committed to 14 players.
I understand that the salary concerns would make both parties prob shy away from completing this deal but hey, I guy can dream can't he?!
What are your thoughts? And please try to refrain from saying things like, "what a stupid idea". I'm cool with that, but back it up with some reasons why or a counter offer or something.
as always: go avs go!
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12 Fleury out 6-8 Weeks...Thoughts?
16 Liles/Svatos
18 Colorado and Grit, Part 1
21 all i want for Christmas...Grit part 2
16 Liles/Svatos
18 Colorado and Grit, Part 1
21 all i want for Christmas...Grit part 2
03 Avs Struggles Part 1
03 Smyth on IR, 'Easy Button' Time?
04 vanRiems-Who?!
11 That Lovin' Feeling? Avs Struggles Pt 2
15 What About This?
17 Avs Injury Bug (again)
23 Ouch - Preds Ringin' In My Ear
24 Avs Lose 2 In A Row
31 Avs, Heart and Tough Times Ahead
03 Smyth on IR, 'Easy Button' Time?
04 vanRiems-Who?!
11 That Lovin' Feeling? Avs Struggles Pt 2
15 What About This?
17 Avs Injury Bug (again)
23 Ouch - Preds Ringin' In My Ear
24 Avs Lose 2 In A Row
31 Avs, Heart and Tough Times Ahead
05 Foppa Debut - Welcome Home
06 Avs/Ducks
07 Avs on a Roll
13 Comeback Player - Jose Theodore
20 Big Effort Needed: Col meets Cgy
20 Big Effort? What?! Avs lose again
25 Finally, I will visit the Pepsi Center!
06 Avs/Ducks
07 Avs on a Roll
13 Comeback Player - Jose Theodore
20 Big Effort Needed: Col meets Cgy
20 Big Effort? What?! Avs lose again
25 Finally, I will visit the Pepsi Center!
It is almost consensus among many analyst that at some point the Pens will trade Malkin. I don't believe it will be until they win a cup in Pittsburgh with the tandem of Malkin and Crosby. Shedding that salary would allow them to pick up a Gaborik or a Hossa for less. They would also allow Staal to move up to a more offensive role than he currently plays. It really comes down to Malkin or Staal
I'd make a move for Vermette. We desperately need a third line center who can win faceoffs and kill penalties.I'd trade: Brett Clark a second for Vermette. Maybe sweeten the pot to get Chris Neil.
I do like the trade idea for Malkin. I agree he is a complete player and CAN take over a game single handedly. But your right on one thing for sure, I can take the lose of trading Clark and Svatos, but losing Wolski is hard to swallow. In all honestly I would have to really think this trade over before making a final decision. if I could somehow add another draft pick and a prospect, I would take this deal in a heartbeat. I know some people might disagree, but getting a already established young talent on your team which has a contract till 2013 is something in need for the Avalanche. I mean he is basically a guarentee 40 goal scorer, and a 90 point player. Imagine Staz and Malkin on the powerplay together?
What I meant in my trade proposal was to add another draft pick, and a prospect, so we can keep Wolski.
Trying to keep Wolski if Malkin was added to the mix would be very tough. Kind of like the Malone situation in Pitt.
Highly unlikely to happen. But i would make this trade in a heartbeat. Svatos should be traded before he has another catastrophic injury, Clark is replaceable, strong but replaceable (Shattenkirk could be ready next year, or in 2010-11)Malkin is a star, and one of the most dominent performers in the league...everyone still laughs at Boston for the Thornton deal, and this looks alot like that trade...
Do you have any idea what Malkin is worth? Try offering a package of Hejduk, Shattenkirk, 1st in 09, 1st in 10 and you'll have a shot potentially. More to it I'm sure.
Hejduk would have to waive his NTC, so not likely. Malkin is valuable to say the least.
Brindy...don't forget the whole point about this: the Pens need DEPTH on wings and help NOW on D...answer: two wingers top4 dman 1st is a pretty damn good package. but i agree with offwing in that I would HATE to lose Wolly. if we could somehow keep him...
This is a nice daydream, but I just don't think the Avs have enough assets to deal for Malkin and have anything left in the cupboard. If the Avs had an elite defenseman to offer, I could see this working, but unfortunately, they do not. It's not worth trading all of the young talent plus draft picks (that's what it would take) on this squad for one guy. This team would end up looking like the Thrashers. Yuck.