Kicksave wrote:I just don't think the Pens are going to get as much as we think we they can get for RM's rights. If you can get a pick and Pouliot, I think that'd be a decent deal. The guy has some pedigree. He's RHed and worked well with Sid in the juniors IIRC. At worst, we get a good 3rd liner to replace what we've lost.
I don't see us getting any player from any NHL roster for just the "chance" of signing Malone. The Jackets or the Oilers would be low on Malone's list of options on July 1st, and they would have to go on a full-scale recruiting campaign to get him signed.
The reason this talk is heating up now is the fact that the draft is next weekend, which indicates that a draft pick is the bait. That is still something in return for nothing if we know we can't afford his asking price.
If Malone really is asking for $5M from the Pens, then he certainly is looking for every penny and isn't putting being a Penguin first. If he doesn't want to give us some form of discount off of this hypothetical market value, then I agree with letting him walk.
The only concern is that I wouldn't want him to end up in the Atlantic division. If he goes UFA, we have no control over that. I would almost rather sign him and try to trade him.