Anomalously

Hard to argue against the list you put together. I'd put Malkin one lower, though. Yes, he had a great season. Yes, he has great potential. Iginla is more complete. I'd also take Kovalchuk off the list [picking on Russians today, I guess]. I would stick Brendan Morrow there instead. This year he really took a step, he's the consummate leader, face of a franchise, 34G, 42A for 74 points. Played every game. 9 goals in the playoffs, including that huge GWG 3OT. Gritty, hard working. Out for every situation. Only two forwards played more TOI/G in the playoffs, both are on this list [Ovechkin, Thornton]. And he's not even the most talented forward on his team. But he's definitely the "top" forward, the 10th on my list. Honorable mentions -- you nailed Getzlaf, he's making this list next year. Kovalev was the resurgent player of the year, could be on this list, not sure if he will be next year. Ribeiro had a strong year, Kane or Toews could be here too; if Jokinen gets somebody to play with (gets traded), maybe we'll see his production up a notch. Hard to deny Hossa a spot on this list, but while he had a hell of a playoffs, he just wasn't there for the first 82. Also want to point out that Crosby was second in PPG -- Ovechkin beat him. [Technically, Forsberg did too, but with very, very limited games.] Crosby showed up big time in the playoffs though, I'd have him and Ovechkin 1a and 1b. To sum up: 1a. Crosby; 1b. Ovechkin; 3. Zetterberg; 4. Datsyuk; 5. Iginla; 6. Malkin; 7. Thornton; 8. Lecavalier; 9. Heatley; 10. Morrow, with Getzlaf, Kovalev, Ribeiro, Kane, Toews, Jokinen, Hossa [and obviously Koalchuk, it's really hard to bounce a 50-goal scorer] on the cusp

I don't understand it. Malone has less than two weeks until to see how much NHL GMs will overpay for him (I think he's worth ~$3.5M, would pay $4), and the media is acting as if it's such a big deal to obtain his rights. So what if Columbus, Vancouver, etc. get his rights? If I were Malone, I think I could last more than a week and would have more than one team pull out the red carpet... Why let the team that low-balled me on a contract determine where I go? (And probably get something decent in return for me...) Not if I were Ryan Malone.

Just another note, if Hossa for $7.14m/year is seen as a huge bargain/steal/etc., what do you guys think Zetterberg is actually worth? I realize it's a good number for the Penguins, but $8M might be on the high side when you consider he's a few months older than Z and we all expect Z to take less than that. Meanwhile, young phenom Crosby makes $8.7 over a similar term, Ovechkin makes $9.5, but over 13 years. $8M would be more than Lidstrom has been making, more than Richards ($7.8, signed after a Conne Smythe), more than Thornton ($6.6M), more than Iginla ($7M) [egroen -- specifically would like to hear your thoughts here -- I think we both acknowledge he could make $8M/year from some overeager GM, but would that not in fact be paying more than market value?]

I think term is the issue that's making Hossa think about it. He might get $8M elsewhere, but the term is definitely enticing to him. And he knows Sid is locked up for each of those years. If they can find any chemistry, which I think they managed in the playoffs, this is a home run deal for the Penguins. Imagine what they could get on defense prospects if they deal Malkin. How many Erik Johnsons would an owner trade for Malkin because he knows Malkin would put more butts in more seats? The Penguins know they have an excellent 1-2 punch in Crosby-Staal. It could work -- that said, I do think the Penguins are focusing on signing their offensive talent though [including Malkin]. But it could work. I'd hate to see Malone in Columbus though -- sign him, Kenny (for ~$4M; otherwise, let him sign somewhere else)!

McLellan coaches the forwards and powerplay. If there's a void in that role, I doubt Chelios fills it.

If he likes [carpentry], why not? He's got enough money to start his own business, he's fairly young, he needs some additional income. He had a good career. Good Western Conference styled defenseman.

eva, please refer to my previous post where I talk about the differences between the roles Samuelsson and Staal play. They have different roles and at 19 you get 5-year deals based on potential, not on past performance. That is how it works -- welcome to how the hockey world works. Cleary and Samuelsson have a similar number of points over the last two seasons! -- let's pay Samuelsson $14 million over 5 @ $2.8/year, since it's such an indication of how each plays. Staal will be offered Cleary numbers and then his agent will say, "Jordan's 20 as an RFA July 1, 2009," and the numbers will go up from $3M to $5M.

I guess my estimation of Staal's worth is causing controversy. With a guy like Jordan, you WANT to tie him up for a long time. And do you know how hard it'll be to talk Staal into being an RFA the year before he would become a UFA? What self-respecting agent is going to allow his client to do that? Staal is 19, he'll be 20 on July 1, 2009. Maybe he'll do a 3-year deal now, but why lock him up at $3M/year now when in three years he could cost $7? I think what is more likely is Shero is going to want him signed up until he's a UFA and he'll get something in between ($5M). The Samuelsson and Carter examples are ludicrous. He led all forwards in SH TOI for the playoffs and led the Penguins forwards in SH TOI/G. Staal was also the most talented guy on their second powerplay [Kronwall, Franzen, Filppula all more talented on the Wings' second powerplay than Sammy]. Staal has been making $2M. Think he's not getting double based on potential and his role on the team? Not when Ryan Whitney [second powerplay D, 9th most minutes on PK on team, 3rd-most minutes among D overall] just signed 6 years, $4M/per.

Fleury gets $5M for taking them to the Finals. Hossa's paycut is $6.5M, minimum. Malkin asks for $10M, gets $9M. Staal gets $5M. Orpik gets $4-4.5M. Malone gets $5M. $34.5M for guys unsigned. Guys who will be signed through the first year of Malkin's contract: Crosby $8.7. Gonchar $5. Whitney $4. $17.7. Right there. $52.2. Take out Malone, and it's 47.2. Estimated cap $58. Backup goaltender ~$.8, and we'll call it $10M for eight forwards and three defensemen. $900,000 per. Right now the guys not named Crosby, Gonchar, Whitney, Fleury, Hossa, Malkin, Staal, Orpik make around $23 million (about $2M per).

Interesting point is that if the 48 game season were prorated to 82 games, it goes up. 70 points in 48 is like 119 in 82. Best part is that the last 3 years (under Babcock) are the best 3 years in this span (regular season), even if you bump 70 points to 119 for the lockout (which is next to the 62-win, 131-point record breaker). Same if you go 4 years. And on.

He probably is 175 right now. Think about it, he probably works out religiously in the offseason, puts on 10-15 pounds of muscle, and then after playing 104 games in 240 days, loses it gradually throughout the course of the season, especially the playoffs.

A side of bitterness to go with the Cup? For me -- no thanks. I'll take a second helping of Lord Stanley next year, though.

He is. Ron Hextall, at 113 (or around there), was previously the lowest.

The Penguins are indeed in a bad spot this offseason. Unfortunately for them all of their postseason success will amplify their problems. A guy who gets his team deep will want rewarded. Several UFAs (not positive you're right about 14), but July 1st is also the first day they can negotiate with Malkin and Staal. Any multi-year deals they sign with any of their free agents from this year will have to keep in mind that Malkin will ask for $9 million and Staal will probably ask for more than $4 million. That's about an $8 million raise over their current salaries, minimum, for just those two guys. And then factor in that MAF is an RFA. He'll ask for $4-6 million. Before factoring in any UFA, their guys are getting $12 million in raises. It's unfortunate that a team like this will inevitably split, especially considering before the Hossa deal, they had decent depth players that they could afford.

If I'm not mistaken, he will, as he's the director of player development.

Thought he was a bit tough on Z and D tonight. Overall I thought they had good games, considering the outcome. Some good chances, thought Homer was tenacious, could have been better, but they've been working hard and putting a lot of mileage out there. Stuart had a good chance early, he has had a good playoffs, but the puck rolled off his stick at least twice, wasn't in good position for the second Crosby goal, and a pass with good intentions that didn't go on the tape cost the Wings the first. He didn't mention him at all [that I heard]. Rafi was also below expectations. He's a puck-mover, didn't look like it.

Wings need to score first next game. And can't let the Penguins control after they score. This game tells me Franzen is going to be a bonafide elite power forward for awhile, even post-injury. Great goal by him.

I think Ken Hitchcock or Pat Quinn would be a couple potential guys to coach this team. This team has the talent and chemistry, needs a respected, veteran coach. Hitchcock obviously isn't on the market, but still thought I'd mention him.

Wrong.

The team is 2-0 in the Finals. McCarty didn't play last game. It's a moot point.

Hossa is Pittsburgh's best player so far. He's their strongest backchecker and has hit at least one post. His line has generated the most offensive chances, even if none have gone in. Datsyuk has no points, but I'm sure you wouldn't imply he's a throwaway player because he doesn't have numbers. Hossa isn't Malkin. Watch the games.

Can't imagine the feeling Franzen has right now. Feels great, no headaches, doing everything in practice, team in the Finals, and can't play.

The important part is to get it right and be committed to updating it. Many people view these during game days to get information on who is playing and who they're playing with. Aflac not only satisfies many with excellent graphics, which obviously add a dimension, but he's accurate and will take the time to change the initial post as new information as the news is announced.

I love the balance of the forward lineup against Colorado (minus McCarty, add Maltby) fast-forwarded to the Finals. It gives us three absolute shutdown lines to match anything their big 3 centers throw. As long as Malts/Helm/Huds don't get caught out there like they did in Dallas, we ought to have another solid defensive effort. As long as the 4th lines are playing against one another, Helm's speed and Hudler's shot means we can threaten their 1-2-3 with our 1-2-3 and their 4th with our 4th. Replacing Hudler with Franzen on our shutdown three shutdown lines... you can't go wrong with that. And I love Cleary (with added confidence) anywhere on the 2nd or 3rd lines.

That's what I said about him May 20th. I've seen Malkin as much as anyone on this board, with the exception of a few Penguins fans. I moved from Michigan to western Pennsylvania, so the local hockey was the Penguins for the last several years. I went to quite a few Penguins games last year, and that's my analysis. Great offensive talent, but reckless -- oh, and streaky. I don't think he's going through anything phenomenally different than anyone else. He's just a streaky guy, a bit lazy too -- think Robert Lang, only better, younger, flashier, and maybe throw in a mean streak.