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Told you so...

This is going to be interesting in the future..lots going on here
If they keep Hossa, they gotta dump some people.
If they keep Therrien Orpik is gone.
What to do with Staal and Malkin, if they don't want to play for Therrien.
This is a mess, they've got a ton of guys to sign and only so much to do it with.

agree mhwings...the new collective bargaining agreementis a curse and a cure. While the small-market pens cannot be outspent by the Rangers, Flyers and other big markets, with many young stars whom can be free agents by age 27 it means they have to stick to a core nucleus of say 5 or 6 and the others have to be a rotating cast of younger or cheaper players. I assume the Red Wings older players must play for less to have a better chance at the cup. It's a fair system but frustrating as the Pens have put together some talent that is close to what they had in 90-91

Most players will say this... Just makes good business sense. He's looking for the money though. Don't be fooled. There are alot of teams in Stanley Cup contention. Sorry to burst the bubble.

Losing the Cup finals is going to help this team too. If Pitt had won do you think Hossa woud stay for less money? No, he just won the cup, go get your paycheck. I'm sure that is what most of the players would do. Now the players have to decide how important winning the cup is to them vs a payday. There are plenty of quality UFAs available that want to play for the cup that would sign with the Pens.

If anything quality UFAs have learned from this Cup series that they can't win win with the Pens. Look for the Pens to have another 20 year drought. It's funny to hear all these pipe dream comments though.

"Hossa may favor Pens return" ..... preferably with a different coach!

Ray Shero is going to find out there is more to managing a team than simply picking up number 1 draft picks...welcome to the New NHL Ray.
I'm guessing Sid likes Hossa on his wing and Hossa likes being there. Its a good combination. Malkin is expendable as trade bait and to preserve Cap room over the next several years. Besides, I get the feeling Malkin & Crosby are not crazy about each other...and Sid's not going anywhere.

It may be premature to be writing Malkin off as a Penguin. The boy can play! He only lacks maturity at this point. Give him one more season and, if retains a good, positive attitude, look out! He doesn't have to be on the same line with Crosby, either.

Phillydave...you sound like a bitter fan whose team got smoked in the conference finals. Your team has not won a cup from the seventies. How's that for a pipe dream, Big Dave?

If he's smart, he re-signs with the Pens. Take less money and a couple extra years to play with Crosby.

Wow. Either Malkin is an idiot or has some endorsement plan lined up with Bettman. Like Crosby.

MEant Hossa MY BAD@!

Can you say welcome back to Pittsburgh Hossa? I sure can.

Phillydave...you sound like a bitter fan whose team got smoked in the conference finals. Your team has not won a cup from the seventies. How's that for a pipe dream, Big Dave?
SteelersinMD | 06/07/08, 12:12 PM

Not a bitter fan at all. Just trying to keep it real for you.Neither team has won a cup in a long while.

If he's smart, he re-signs with the Pens. Take less money and a couple extra years to play with Crosby.
naxself | 06/07/08, 12:24 PM

How is that smart to take less money to stay with a team that may or may not ever win a cup??? Not very smart... Maybe he just likes losing...

No way they lock up money with Hossa. They need to keep money free for locking up their young core. You will see Hossa sign one of those veteran looking for the cup one year discounted deals or he will walk and the pens will sign another veteran to that type of deal.

If nothing else, Hossa proved that he can show up for the playoffs. He proved everybody wrong who compared him with Yashin. He did his job, and now its his decision on where he wants to go. The teams will line up.

How is that smart to take less money to stay with a team that may or may not ever win a cup??? Not very smart... Maybe he just likes losing...
Phillydave | 06/07/08, 02:47 PM


i don't think that any team is guaranteed to win the cup. By default if he signs with any team, he "may not ever win the cup." What tea bag receptical Phillydave is. He's got a better shot with the Pens, no matter what UFA's they might keep, than signing...Idon't know, with the Bum factory that is Hatcher and company. Oh, I know...Hatcher won't be back. He, for me at least, epitomizes Philly Hockey.

Not very smart... Maybe he just likes losing...
Phillydave | 06/07/08, 02:47 PM

Remind me again how far Philly made it.....oh, that's right. The losing Pens knocked 'em out. Sorry to rub salt in your wound. My bad.