Unless the planets align and the seas part, it seems like Staal wants out and is making it pretty clear. So I'm curious, what would you give up for him? Would you even want him here? In what role? Etc etc etc.
I'm not one to speculate about every player that hits the market but I've coveted Staal for years. I think he's seriously underutilized and a team like us could help him be even better than he has been. He's big, uses his size, scores, plays excellent defense and does all of this while being low on the depth chart and being an afterthought on the PP. I'd do immoral and unscrupulous things to acquire this guy. I think he knows he's buried and deserves a bigger role elsewhere. I say we give it to him if he's willing. I don't want to start another Franzen debate but I'd gladly ship him out as part of a deal for Staal.
Not sure what I'd give up, but if the rumors that he wants to play in Carolina are true, then I'd suspect that the return for him will be half of what Pens fans think it should be. Nobody's going to trade for him to see him bolt in a year.
I'd imagine Franzen would be going the other way, as you said, but I wouldn't gut the farm for him.
And would be scary good. If I'm Carolina, I don't bother trading for him, either. Just be patient, because I bet it's a near guarantee he's already decided to go there unless Pittsburgh gives him something huge.
Depends a bit on what Pitt offered him, though. with that long of an offer, it has to be to control the cap hit a bit, so some of those years could be on what he considers the low end. Even if he's willing to not play with either brother, he could look at it and decide he could max his value if he took a shorter deal to set himself up for another UFA contract in another 3-5 years.
I'm just playing along here. I guess I just would want to make sure I didn't gut the team/prospects. I'd offer:
Franzen, Kindl, Tatar, Andersson, Nick Jensen
NHL Forward (top 6 winger)
NHL D-man (with some upside)
Forward prospect
Replacement prospect (at bottom 6 center, not at being Staal-good)
Defensive prospect
Doesn't seem like enough. Maybe a choice of Pulkkinen or Tatar AND Sheahan or Andersson?
I wouldn't go much farther (except trading White or Quincey) so maybe we're not a great partners.
I would suspect the reason that he's turned down the 10 years is that he wants to be more than an third-line center. And the Wings would have the same problem as the Penguins: two guys ahead of him. So, the only way you make it work is if Z goes the other way, which will not happen.
I would suspect the reason that he's turned down the 10 years is that he wants to be more than an third-line center. And the Wings would have the same problem as the Penguins: two guys ahead of him. So, the only way you make it work is if Z goes the other way, which will not happen.
That would be freaking incredible. With that being said I don't think we're a great fit. I agree with the poster above who said Staal probably wants to be on a scoring line, not centering the third line. It also sounds like he wants market rate on a shorter term deal, ie he's not giving out any hometown discounts.
So with that being said I think I'd like to get a good handle on Andersson and Sheahan this year and if there isn't an obvious center to complement Helm in the bottom 6 you consider Staal if he makes it to free agency.
I would suspect the reason that he's turned down the 10 years is that he wants to be more than an third-line center. And the Wings would have the same problem as the Penguins: two guys ahead of him. So, the only way you make it work is if Z goes the other way, which will not happen.
In short, no deal here.
Not saying the Wings would be part of getting Staal, but moving Zetterberg to wing for the rest of his career would probably help prolong it. Being a very good defensive player can translate to the wing if need be.
Honestly, with his contract situation, all I would move is Franzen and Kindl for him. IMO, he will take the highest bidder. And I don't blame him.
