since anything can happen in hockey, heck even wayne gretzky was traded...twice.

I think that this report couldnt be farther from the truth.  there is no way Malkin will be traded. period.

I have heard this mentioned before, but haven't heard the details.  I could see it maybe seriously happening if Ansi Kopitar is the lynchpin in the deal for Pittsburgh.  He doesn't get much attention out east, partly because of the late night games in LA, and also because he is on one of the worst NHL teams.  But if he was on a team with supporting talent, I wouldn't be surprised if he could put up numbers near what Malkin would. 

Pittsburgh might be getting the better end of the deal if they made this move.

Again Not knowing what the rumor has, but if Pitt could get Kopitar, and a couple other players, maybe a Dustin Brown, or similar it would be better for the Pens to move Malkin.

Both Malkin and Staal have one year left on their "inexpensive" entry-level contracts, so I don't see anything like this happening this offseason.  The Pens are trying to win now, so there is no reason to trade Malkin at this point.

However, this isn't that far-fetched an idea for next offseason.  And before people jump all over me ... please hear me out.

The Pens have plenty of cap room right now ... they've only got $35M commited in player salaries for next season, and that includes Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Gonchar, Whitney, Sykora, Gill, Letang, etc.  They could theoretically sign MAF, Hossa, Orpik, etc. this offseason and still be under the cap ... the question is how far under?  The main reason why people talk about the Pens' upcoming cap issues is b/c everyone knows Malkin and Staal will be due raises ... and a huge raise in Malkin's case ... for the 2009-10 season.  That is when the Pens will really be having cap issues.

This is all hypothetical, but let's just say ... Crosby and Hossa play on the same line together next season and become a dynamic duo center-winger combination.  AND Staal adds a scoring touch to his already promising defensive-style checking game and looks ready to be a true #2 center.  (Keep in mind Staal is still only 19.  As Don Cherry reminds us all the time ... he could have played in the World Juniors this year.)

Shero could then trade Malkin to the west coast ... keeping him away from rivals like Philly, NYR, NYI, NJD, etc.  And if he could pick up some top draft picks AND a player like Kopitar in the process, all the better.  The Pens could still have a Crosby-Hossa-fire hydrant line, and Staal can become the #2 center he is going to become someday anyway at the age of 22.

And on the flip side ... if Crosby and Hossa are merely good, but not great together, or if Staal regresses, etc.  Shero can always re-sign Malkin and either trade Hossa, trade Staal, buy-out Gonchar, etc.  He will have options.  Or what if the cap goes up another $5M?  A lot of things can happen over the course of a season.  But there's really no reason to do anything this drastic this offseason.

Do whatever makes your Penguins happy!

You still have to get past the MIGHTY REDWINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good luck and thanks for playing

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