What’s At Play Behind the Scenes for the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins wrapped up their extensive phase of organizational meetings this week and a lot of the heavy lifting has been done. The organization has conducted a thorough evaluation of what changes, some potentially seismic that the group’s top decision makers believe that are needed to be made.
After two weeks of what’s been described as exhaustive meetings, the direction Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is said to be strongly leaning right now is towards breaking up the core, but the group plans to take a step back over the next 10-14 days, do some scouting at the World Championships, then reconvene and come to a final decision if the direction they are strongly leaning towards right now is the direction they still want to go.
Not surprisingly this lines up with Evgeni Malkin’s timetable and everything on how this off-season goes starts with Malkin.
Following an exit meeting with Malkin days after being swept by the New York Islanders, the Penguins have since communicated with Evgeni Malkin’s representatives around a week ago of how the team plans To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Rival clubs say the Penguins were informed To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! openness of [hide] moving on from Pittsburgh, but that Malkin wants to take a little time to think about things and they would let Pittsburgh know after the World Championships of which teams he would waive his no trade clause to.
What matters here isn’t whether Malkin actually gets traded and if a feasible trade is even out there, that remains to be seen, it’s that the team has great interest in exploring all trade options they can for the future Hall-of-Famer which is a significant development, along with the belief Malkin to this point has been receptive to potentially being traded.
One would think Malkin would be furious that Pittsburgh has a desire to shop him, but a source close to the situation says Malkin has been ‘understanding’ of why Pittsburgh is interested in the possibility.
Multiple teams have called the Penguins over the last two weeks and not one team has come out of conversations that Malkin isn’t available. A message to rival clubs has pretty much been ‘go get on his list’ and come talk to us.
Teams are right now in the intel process of seeing whether they’ll be a consideration from Malkin and as mentioned earlier this week, the Penguins have an understanding there’s a chance of Malkin’s list being in the 4-5 team range.
And growing buzz around the league is the New York Rangers believe they are going to be Malkin’s No. 1 preferred destination and that his wife wants to live in New York City.
Nonetheless, expect some movement on where things are headed after the World Championships.
After the trade deadline, league sources said the Penguins had already started planting seeds of an off-season Phil Kessel trade and there’s been no change in that thinking around the league.
What’s crazy is rival clubs are under the belief the Penguins have already made a firm decision internally they’re trading Phil Kessel (no matter what) whether they have to accept a bad deal in return or not, such as keeping some of the cap hit or including a high pick to just get rid of Kessel.
Teams are operating with the mindset right now that Pittsburgh believes they have to trade Kessel this summer to take a step forward towards being a more complete team on and off the ice, even if it means taking the risk of subtracting skill and 174 points over the last two years out of their lineup.
And good luck finding anyone who thinks the Penguins are going to win a Phil Kessel trade.
There’s a few General Manager’s intrigued about Kessel as was the case last summer, but that’s usually where it stops. Issue No. 1 in finding value for Kessel is coaches just don’t want him and that saw the few teams kicking tires on Kessel last year at the draft go dark before Round 1 even started. The 2-3 clubs Pittsburgh had spoken to couldn’t get their coaches on board, so they didn’t even waste any time pursuing the possibility past the preliminary stages. [/hide]
Another Kessel narrative emerging:
Much is being made by the local media about Kessel’s gambling and petty stuff like Kessel not including himself in end of practice circles of what others are having for dinner that night. Apparently that story is actually out there…….
I’ve had players tell me that stuff is a complete joke, To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Slovakia beat USA. 4-1. In USA
Mean while our Russian is playing for team Russia
You don’t say… but our Canadian stayed home because he clearly doesn’t love his country as much as Malkin loves his
It’s a C level tournament B at its best. And Russians love to go to that because that’s the only time they feel like winners
Yet here you are, obsessed and talking shitt. I don’t get too deep on things I don’t give a shitt about… unless it pisses you off lol
Lmao Ben Shapiro
I didn’t see it but I understand how little there is for your folks to get excited about these days. Two-term Trump is going to hurt.
So D how hard are you trying to trade Malkin? Seems you are pushing this a lot.
Who is he pushing it to? .audience of 6 retards that keep coming back to this site.
Hey some of my best friends have been called retards.
List them. I’m curious.
I’ll start with myself. But Same is up there
I wouldn’t list you. No way.
Letang for Makar
I would love for this to happen.
Makar looks like the real deal. Sure, he’s made some rookie mistakes, but he’s only played about a dozen games. Letang makes the same mistakes after about a dozen years.
I blame this on Scum Sully because Simply Dusty can’t root for his favorite players not teams in these playoffs. Somehow Sully is to blame for everything in that simpletons world. Dusty doesn’t get that promotion at work, it’s all Scum Sully’s fault. #simplydustymaybedumberthansam
Dusty is not longer in love with the Penguins at this time. He will be back when they win another cup. His bandwagon crashed into Sam(e)’s. Now they both take the short bus.
Wtv you say stan. Minute Russian and chubby are traded your hockey will stop there
Then I become a Vegas fan.
I wouldn’t be giving Sully a free pass. His inability to bridge relationships with players is starting to come to light and is something he needs to work on.
The NHL should get rid of all players that are not super stars and once you hit 30 you should be banned from the NHL. That will help their ratings
Dusty is trolling. I refuse to believe the two dumbest people on any planet found their way to this little-known site.
I wonder what the TV ratings would be if we could get someone to turn the BS into a script for a sitcom
Bruns vs blues finals?
Killer tv ratings coming up!
Ya an original 6 finalist would suck for hockey
LOL TV ratings…. in the last 10 years the 5 of 6 highest rating finals were original 6 teams, Boston twice in that time. Only Caps vs Vegas drew near them and even still that was tied for 5th on that list
Look at the two you are talking to.
It’s so funny, six of the top ten highest rated games since 1966 involve the Bruins
-1966
If you’re the Avs would you trade your two first round picks for Malkin?
Well once upon a time same wanted malkin and mattaa for Nathan. When avs were a mess
Except that trade wasn’t available… just because you thought it was a good idea don’t mean the professionals being paid 7 figures to make those decisions do you fucken moron
I think Jack Johnson, EG and Maatta for McDavid would be good for the Pens.
They would need to throw in Nurse to balance that trade.
Shame on the NHL for not taking advantage of a Lebron-less NBA playoffs. They couldn’t get any star teams or star players to even make the 2nd round. What a garbage league. Now we have a garbage coach trying to turn us into a garbage team.
McKinnon… star! Seguin… star! Pastrnak… star! Karlsson… star!
There is plenty of star talent left. For marquee names? The Oilers are garbage, Tampa shit the bed…
Not sure how one blames the NHL for upsets tho
Because the league needs to cater to it’s star players and make sure they get every borderline call and even some non-existent ones.
Just like the NBA, NFL and even MLB does. The garage league allows for rules to lock down the stars instead of make rules to prevent it.
But there are stars playing… Jesus you’re thick. Erik fucken Karlsson is a star player, arguably the top blueliner in hockey lol
I agree with simply. Don’t let the players decide the game. Let the officials usher the players they deem stars through the playoffs. Actually, they should just start giving passes to the second round to the Pens,Tampa and Toronto. Edmonton didn’t make the playoffs? Doesn’t matter. McDavid > Tarasenko so replace the Blues.
Crosby, Malkin, McDavid, Stamkos etc, should have no idea what a glove feels or smells like. They should never know what a cross check to the back feels like.
Harden, Curry, Brady, Rodgers etc. Baby your stats and let them shine. Stars play by a different rule book in every sport but the NHL.
Go watch golf.
Taking better care of the stars… Yes… when nobodies go after them it should be a more punitive repercussion however to flat out not have them play through something? Thats fucken stupid as shitt
Your initial post was about stars not making it to the second round. The Pens and Tampa got swept and the oilers didn’t even make the playoffs. That’s not on the refs.
St Louis, San Jose are both chasing their first cups. Joe Thornton is this yrs Ovie wanted his first cup. Carolina is defying the odds and beating teams with half of their players out with injury. You have arguable two of the best defensemen in the league in Karlson and Burns playing in the conference finals. Rask looks like Rask again. Justin Williams is living up to his nickname. All the top teams are knocked out. Everyones bracket went to shitt. Don Cherry ignited a team with his stupid comments. The Knights chocked away a game seven lead. Tampa got… Read more »
How do fans in Montreal celebrate not winning a cup in over 25 years? Do they have reenactments? Do they cry as they rewatch the finals over and over again on their VHS recorders? Does Roy drive through the town laughing at you all with his extra 2 cups in the front seat? Someone please tell us?
As I said before Stan Stanley cup comes to Montreal more often then goes to Pittsburgh how many players from Pittsburgh won the cup in last 25 years. Vs how many Montreal born players last 25 years
That is the only way the cup comes to montreal now. Lol. Pathetic.
59 NHLer currently from PQ lol
INB4 sam reacts with something I don’t really give near as many fuckks as he does… 62 from Alberta haha; more than double the population too hahah
OH and one more INB4…. Taylor Hall, last years MVP… from Calgary
Stop being stupid sammich; you move these bizarre goal posts to make some sort of asinine point that gives you a ridiculous sense of accomplishment. This data, virtually fucken meaningless to most
Lmao thinking about that classic Fleury meltdown to end Vegas’ season
I wonder how he’ll be viewed in Vegas when it happens again. I’d give a crisp hundred to see him go to Seattle in the expansion draft, although I have no idea if he has any clauses.
They are excluded from the Seattle expansion draft.
Trade Letang.
Sam, can you give us a Daily 5?
Maroon scored in game 7 overtime for his hometown team.
That’s only 1, I asked for 5.
Since they bring more news to this website then anyone Ask npl and stan.
When I ask those clowns for a daily 5, they take it as 5 thumbs down. That’s all they bring to the site.
Which team are you in love with this week?
Sam(e) just found this out 3 hrs ago.
The Golden Knights PK.
Why do they play “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in St. Louis?
Why did they play Gloria when they won? Odd.
The entire crowd was singing “Country Road.”
“Gloria” was a very very odd choice. My first thought was, wtf? That is what they came up with ahead of time?
They could not get the call right during the game and now McAvoy is suspended for one game. I do not get it. They have iPads on the benches and video review… instead of huddling around and wasting time asking each ref what they saw just look at the dam monitor. Hits like that should be reviewed especially during a playoff game. They want to eliminate head shots but they keep letting players play after making dirty hits. The refs saw it, they were afraid to make the proper call bc of the Knights / San Jose series. What a… Read more »
Well I guess head shots are not really that important to the NHL. McAvoy should have received major and he should have been kicked out of the game. That hit was 100% to the head.
I like how they gave him a minor. Either you don’t see it or its a game/suspension.
Exclusive conversation from the team meeting…
JR: OK, next topic on the agenda. Should we trade Letang?
Everyone: Well, we know we can win the Cup without him
JR: Yea, he gone.
Everyone: Woohoo!
For as long as Letang is on the roster, the team will habitually cough up egregious turnovers at inopportune times. There will be instability all over the ice and they’ll have to rely on Murray as much as any team relies on any goaltender. Murray has bailed them out before, but it’s irrational to expect it all the time.
That’s the history of penguins hockey forever. It’s nothing new.
Pittsburgh has always been a high powered team with above average goalies.
Trade Letang
Trade your bandwagon fat asss out of here
Mean spirited Sam.
Simon listens to the coach and tries hard. We need more Simon’s.
Maybe the worst attempt at English grammar in some time.
Maybe Sam(e) is really D.
I call BS- all of this is so media driven and best guess – so JR, Sullivan and Mario are just going give away high level info out- hahahaha
Pavelski said the play that happened on game 7 vs knights wasn’t a penalty. Well too late now ruined a teams season
No the Knights terrible PK and MAF ruined their season. You do not let up 4 goals on a 5 min penalty after leading 3-0. They where already checked out of that game and when the Sharks pushed back they got rattled and choked. They deserved to lose. Suck it up buttercup.
4 goals…. you keep telling yourself that fuck head
how about this kessel narrative…fire the coach, get simon off the top line, play kessel with sid and guentzel for an entire season, and kessel scores 50. nope, can’t do that, gotta have a bum on crosby’s wing at all times.
as far as the line goes in the article about being furious….lets be honest, malkin doesn’t give a $hit.
what’s the word on letang? he needs to go too.
Nobody wants him. Only the Pens beat writers think he’s a Norris trophy candidate defenseman. Instead they will trade Kessel to shakeup the team. Rutherford should be let go as well.
Sam(e) thinks he a Norris Trophy winner. That says a lot right there.
Anyone think we would have a chance at Karlsson, Duchene, Eberle or Panarin here on free agency?
I realize it is not likely but still… Wouldn’t that be like a mini rebuild if we trade Letang (if Karlsson), Malkin (if Duchene) or Kessel (if Panarin or Eberle). Would be okay with draft picks back if that happens.
Needless to say we would need to lose some cap hit.
Panarin will either stay in Columbus, go back to Chicago or head to Florida or the Rangers. I think Karlsson will stay in SJ. Duchene is a gamble.
Panarin is likely headed to FLA, with Bob
Pens got Simon. Don’t need anyone else.
I guess it’s the new Russian destination
I’ll be looking forward to them destroying the Habs
Well- if we trade any of those guys away- we are going to be taking some type of salary back- prob no chance
Amazing article D. Must be top 3 of this year
Zero must be happy oilers hired holland as their new GM
You care more than I do…
That said, it’s a awful move, more friends of the guys in charge getting a job because of clout not because they are still capable. Holland showed he was as good as Nik.
With the cap and a European scouting team that no longer is the only one doing it like that he quickly buried that team. Oilers are fucked a little longer… I just hope McDavid don’t end up in Philly… or Montreal for that matter
Give McDavid a few more years and he will be begging for the door.
Thanks genius like no one knew.
When these kids gets drafted 1st overall they suck up to them yes you will win the cup and convince them. Unless you are Russian they tell you can bankrupt the team with salary you desire
3 cups… one more than Montreal since the 80s expansion lol, fucken loser
How exactly did Malkin “bankrupt” this team?? If anything he and Crosby helped save the team.
Just bc his last name is Price it does not mean he is worth $10 million a yr. There is a real post season winner.
“Good luck finding anyone who believes the Penguins will win a Kessel trade” – then don’t fucking trade him. Why would you trade anyone ever if you lose the trade?
Who and what would the rangers give up ? Would have to think it starts with at least kreider ?
If Malkin gets traded I do not see them trading him within the same division unless the Rangers give a massive haul in return.
Yeah, if you’re talking the Rangers, that second overall better be included. I’d be fine with keeping the core the same and losing the dead weight on the back end of our defense. Prioritize dropping the Johnson, EG and Maatta contracts. That’s 11m in cap space.
The second overall pick for Malkin this far in his career will never happen with a team on a rebuild.
Don’t have much choice if Malkin’s list is short we go where he agrees to go….he will help the rangers wont make them a powerhouse.. Kreider plus…
Laughable that they need to pay a team to take a 90 point player haha.
Let me show you some advance stats not the average bandwagon Average fan stats like you, tbj ,stan and npl wouldn’t understand. Just because he gets 90 doesn’t mean he is amazing he gets 90 point to get is -25 65points. Plus dumb penalties wonder how many goals happens when he is sitting in the box as well soo he does more harm to the team then help but noooo apparently to you to zero and rest clowns he is amazing
Malkin isn’t being traded, this is just a scare tactic.
Dustin…normally I would agree with you…but this time it may just happen…..Management isn’t happy with his overall attitude and game and now is the time if ever… his wife wants to live in new York city mmhhhhhhh
we will see..if we want to avoid being the Blackhawks and the Kings now is thee time.. Clear some valuable cap space..
Complete team to Sullivan means 4 lines with 4 Simon’s on it.