matt trick
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2007
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If Malkin is available, and is willing to move to any west coast team (No way Pitt is willing to have Crosby meet Malkin every postseason), the teams most interested would be:
Ultimately, Pitt would be stupid to trade Malkin, but if they did, despite our depth at Center, San Jose would have to consider him. From a long-term perspective you have Malkin-Pavelski-Tierney/Hamilton/FA down the middle, which is worlds better than even Couture-Pavelski-Tierney/Hamilton, it also means you can immediately move Thornton for defensive help/cap space. I like Couture, but I am not sure that he, even with Pavs, can anchor an elite team.
For the same reason, If Carolina is re-building I'd be open to using Couture to get after Eric Staal, another proven playoff performer.
- Edmonton- Want an elite center, need size, need to get to the playoffs
- St. Louis- lack a franchise forward, need a shake up, want a shakeup
- Anaheim- Want depth down the middle
- SJ- Need a shake up and playoffs monster, pushed window open for 7 years (likely 3 being additional past current core)
- Winnipeg- Need to make playoffs, lack quality center depth
- Nashville- Have needed a franchise player for their entire history
- Nashville has Weber as a centerpiece, but I don't think they can make another package outside of him.
- Anaheim has Perry, but if they don't want to trade him, they don't have a collection of assets worth Malkin. Fowler/Lindholm are really good pieces, but Pitt pretty much already has one of each in Letang and Maata. They don't have a #2 center, or #1 wing to send back.
- St. Louis- Chock full of good offensive pieces, also have Shattenkirk or Pietro. I think they'd offer the most- but would they be the right pieces?
- Winnipeg- Malkin brings the added benefit of likely being able to get Burmi back. They have Kane is a high-end young first line winger or playoff beast Andrew Ladd, and either Scheifele or Little as the #2 center. Four valuable d-men in Trouba, Enstrom, Bogosian, and Byfuglien. Also have a high first and a few good quality prospects.
- Edmonton- RNH+Eberle easily goes for Malkin, but what else does Edmonton offer- 3rd overall, 2015 1st, Srivens, one of their much needed defensive pieces?
- San Jose- Have the best replacement center in Pavelski/Couture, and one of the better wingers in Burns/Hertl/Marleau, good secondary winger Nieto/Wingels, and adequate young pieces: Mueller, 1st, Tierney/Hamilton.
Ultimately, Pitt would be stupid to trade Malkin, but if they did, despite our depth at Center, San Jose would have to consider him. From a long-term perspective you have Malkin-Pavelski-Tierney/Hamilton/FA down the middle, which is worlds better than even Couture-Pavelski-Tierney/Hamilton, it also means you can immediately move Thornton for defensive help/cap space. I like Couture, but I am not sure that he, even with Pavs, can anchor an elite team.
For the same reason, If Carolina is re-building I'd be open to using Couture to get after Eric Staal, another proven playoff performer.