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Leaf Rumours

The Pens are paying 21.4 million to their top 3 centres -- which is close to 40% of the cap. That isn't a problem right now, but it could be when they have to re-sign UFA Gonchar and RFA Letang (or get replacements for them), or when they need to sign wingers to play with these guys.

With Crosby and Malkin up the middle, there's always the threat of Staal being made availble because the Pens have such ridiculous centre depth. The Pens may need to free up some money in order to balance the roster.
 
Malkin should just play on the wing. He can't win a draw to save his life anyways.

Although, on the other hand, if their GM can just make savvy trade deadline winger gets every year, like he did last year, then Crosby-Malkin-Staal should be able to win you a cup every year.
 
I dunno. Depth at center like that works when you have two guys who will score more than anyone else, no matter who they play with anyway.
 
You gotta think that Gonchar would sign for a pretty good value number for them on a retirement contract.
 
The Pens only have 2 dmen under contract for next season and they need to sign a couple top 6 wingers.

They will probably need Gonchar to take a hometown discount at 5 mill (or under) a season. If he's looking for fair market value -- which could be in the 7 mill range, I can't see how they re-sign him.

If they allow him to get to UFA, they will lose him. Teams will throw big money at him, money Pitt won't be able to match.
 
They don't need wingers. They'll throw in young cheap guys like Tangradi, caputi, with Talbot, Kennedy, Kunitz, Dupuis and Rupp. they can get away with it. Maybe sign an old guy like Kariya for cheap.

Plus Gonchar will likely get one of those retirement deals.
 
1. Malkin: 8.7
2. Crosby: 8.7
3. Staal: 4.0
4. Kunitz: 3.75
5. Dupuis: 1.4
6. Talbot: 1.05
7. Rupp: .825
8. Godard: .750
9. Kennedy: .725
10. Adams: .550
11. XXX
12. XXX
13. XXX

1. Orpik: 3.75
2. Letang: 3.0? (RFA)
3. Goligoski: 1.833
4. XXX
5. XXX
6. XXX
7. XXX

1. Fleury: 5.0
2. XXXX



By my count the Pens have about 44 mil spent on 14 players. They will have about 10-12 mill to fill out the roster.
 
$5 mill to Gonchar gives them $5-$7 million for 7 guys to round out the roster with your 11th, 12th and 13th forward, 5th, 6th and 7th d-men and backup goalie.

Thats more than fine.
 
They are doing it right, and the Leafs are doing it wrong.

Spend all the money on elite talent, and then fill the roster on the cheap.

Leafs are spending money on the depth, and they can't afford elite talent.
 
He'll get more money.

It'll be one of those 5 year $25 million deal, where 90% of it is payed out in the first 3 years.
 
leafman101 said:
They are doing it right, and the Leafs are doing it wrong.

Spend all the money on elite talent, and then fill the roster on the cheap.

Leafs are spending money on the depth, and they can't afford elite talent.
Click to expand...

Well, it's a lot easier to do when you stumble into 2-#1 picks and 2-#2 picks and land players the calibre of Malkin and Crosby.

Even old man fletch and jfj couldn't **** up those decisions.

I think we saw in Anaheim the importance Burke placed on elite talent. And we're starting to see it in Toronto with the trade for Kessel.
 
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Yeah it is easier. But they replace guys like Blake, Hagman and Finger on one year contracts, every year for no more than $2-$3 million.

The Leafs meanwhile are locking these kinds of guys up long term.

It just illustrates why what JFJ and Fletcher did was dumb.
 
Montana said:
Gonchar is 36, his entire contract counts, even if he retires.
Click to expand...

Yup, and that's the key issue. I think Gonchar would have been re-signed already if Pitt could sign him to one of those ridiculous Hossa type deals.

My guess is that Gonchar wants term (4-6 year deal) if he's staying at 5 million. But the Pens don't want to play 5 mill to a 40 year old, so they want a shorter deal (2-3 year deal). But Gonchar will probably want more than 5 mill a year over a short term.
 
If Gonchar is going to pass up his best chance to win for a couple of bucks, then screw him.

Don't trade a long term solution for a short term fix.
 
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