What if Washington had drafted Malkin?

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

I know the year Malkin and A.O. were drafted 1 and 2 they were widley considered the best players in the draft. I know A.o. was considered the better player, but lets play aleternate reality and say Washington drafted Malkin instead of AO and Pittsburgh ended up with Ovechkin.

Would they be even better now?

[detroitdan 0]

can you imagine? the hype for the Pens would be worse than it is now.

[jawbreaker 0]

Ovechkin - Crosby - Hossa... just an average line

[91to-the-rafters 0]

The strike may have been the best thing to happen to the Penguins, even though in the short term, it almost caused the death of hockey in Pittsburgh. Under this scenario, it could have been the rebirth of the 1980's Edmonton Oilers.

[SweWings 45]

AO playing together with Crosby would likely have scored about 15 more goals. But of course that's not certain because Backstrom isn't a crap center. Not to mention that combo would have made Pittsburgh look like... well I don't know what it would've looked like. It would've been insane.... INSANE

[puckbags 863]

The strike may have been the best thing to happen to the Penguins, even though in the short term, it almost caused the death of hockey in Pittsburgh. Under this scenario, it could have been the rebirth of the 1980's Edmonton Oilers.

Big difference, the Oilers of the 80's were able to keep that team together because there was not salary cap. There is no way the Pen's will be able to keep this team together for very long unless some guys take some serious home town discounts which we all know nowadays isn't likely to happen!!

[SweWings 45]

Big difference, the Oilers of the 80's were able to keep that team together because there was not salary cap. There is no way the Pen's will be able to keep this team together for very long unless some guys take some serious home town discounts which we all know nowadays isn't likely to happen!!

Sure. The biggest problem is that the Pens can surround Crosby and Malkin with inept jackasses and still make a serious run for the Cup.

[eva unit zero 271]

Big difference, the Oilers of the 80's were able to keep that team together because there was not salary cap. There is no way the Pen's will be able to keep this team together for very long unless some guys take some serious home town discounts which we all know nowadays isn't likely to happen!!

The Oilers of the 80s weren't able to keep the team together. They sold off Paul Coffey in 1987 and Wayne Gretzky in 1988. Mark Messier was shipped to New York in 1990. Glenn Anderson, Jari Kurri, Charlie Huddy, Steve Smith, Kevin Lowe, Jeff Beukeboom, Grant Fuhr and Esa Tikkanen would be traded or leave from 1990 to 1993. Most of those moves were made all or in part due to contract situations and the acquisition of cheaper and younger players or draft picks, as well as for cash.

[CUJO#31 0]

Big difference, the Oilers of the 80's were able to keep that team together because there was not salary cap. There is no way the Pen's will be able to keep this team together for very long unless some guys take some serious home town discounts which we all know nowadays isn't likely to happen!!

DING DING DING!!!

CO-rrect!!!

What you basically get with the cap is punished for being smart enough to put together a dynasty.

You have to figure out a way to rotate a few key elements over time and still remain in the +.

Like another team I know...

[Reilly 24]

I don't know. Sid put up 120 points without Ovechkin. And Malkin had a monster year without Sid. The Pens are where they are right now because of their scoring depth. As good as Ovy is, I don't think the Pens would trade Malkin for him right now.

That said, I think if I had a choice between a franchise winger and a franchise center, I'd always take the center.

Edited May 24, 2008 by Reilly

[SweWings 45]

I don't know. Sid put up 120 points without Ovechkin. And Malkin had a monster year without Sid. The Pens are where they are right now because of their scoring depth. As good as Ovy is, I don't think the Pens would trade Malkin for him right now.

That said, I think if I had a choice between a franchise winger and a franchise center, I'd always take the center.

Um... You wouldn't trade Malkin for Ovechkin? I'd trade anyone except Crosby for Ovechkin. And I say that because Lidström, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall aren't going anywhere...