Latest Pens Speculation
This (finally) brings me to Jordan Staal and an exceptional third line combination of Staal, Maxime Talbot and their current (until last Thursday) linemate, Erik Christensen. This line has been nothing but successful as a second line in Crosby’s (et al)’s absence. It has defensive presence and awareness with two first-unit PK’ers, Staal and Talbot, along with enough firepower from all three to threaten in the offensive zone. Sounds ideal right ?
Well… almost. It’s painfully close but it’s just short. Many of you who have paid attention to what you have read are asking a few valid questions:
1) Can Tyler Kennedy really compliment Crosby in the long run and most importantly, during a long run in the playoffs ? Remember the uber-talented Malkin getting overwhelmed in the 2007 series vs Ottawa as a reference point…
Answer – Probably not
2) Where is Colby Armstrong’s name in the Penguins’ top three lines ?
Answer – Colby’s level of contribution and role has diminished throughout the year. Frankly, he is the only Pens player to not take up any slack during all of these lost man-games. He is unnoticed and unnecessary to the team’s ultimate success. He is also not a fourth-line player.
3) Can the Penguins justify the price Jordan Staal will command as a third-line center on this team ?
Answer – I’m not proclaiming Staal as selfish and I’m not saying he wouldn’t be about the best two-way third-line pivot in the Eastern Conference (That’s a mouthful). The fact of the matter is that the Rangers, Wings, Ducks, Senators, and everyone else will line up for Staal in the very, very near future. A large contract will be offered. Even if they can match, the Penguins will not be able to justify matching for what will be an above-average player, but nonetheless, still just a third-line center. And Compensatory Draft Picks do not win Stanley Cups when once the All-Star nucleus ages past it’s prime (Tempus Fugit). Too many top-10 picks have busted out of the NHL instead of busting-out. This once-in-a-lifetime nucleus of Crosby, Malkin, Whitney, Letang, et al., can not wait for all of the lucky bounces while the Ottawas, New Yorks, Detroits and Anaheims inevitably enhance already proven lineups and load-up for cup-runs on a yearly basis.
I am really saying a few things here. The Penguins have a shot at a Cup, right now. They will lose Staal in the future. They MUST sign Evgeni Malkin. Sidney Crosby’s talents will never be fully recognized (regular season or playoffs) without an exceptional winger. The Penguins have a glut of good third and fourth-line caliber centers (Talbot, Christensen, Jeff Taffe, Nathan Smith). Tyler Kennedy is an exceptional third-line winger. And Colby Armstrong is 100% expendable to the Penguins but may be of value to some team on the market.
Trade Rumor #1) Jordan Staal and Colby Armstrong for Nikolai Zherdev. The BJs have a true gem in Zherdev. He would be a sublime fit with Crosby. The BJs can justify Staal’s eventual windfall as he would be at least a second-line centerman, a first-unit PKer and a solid second-unit PP contributor. Zherdev would be the perfect piece in a Penguin puzzle that is on the precipice of pursuing the prized playoff-payoff.
Trade Rumor #2) Jordan Staal, Colby Armstrong and Alex Goligoski for Jonathan Cheechoo and Alexei Semenov. Cheechoo and San Jose are looking to part ways. San Jose finally needs a valid replacement for Patrick Marleau. Goligoski is a highly-touted, young puck-moving defenseman. The Penguins need a stay-at-home who can clean-the-home, like Semenov. And again, the marquis of this trade is the proven scoring winger Sid needs, Jonathan Cheechoo.