Jordan Staal reunited with the Pens? If you believe some of the rumors that have been flying in recent days, it might just happen.
Though yesterday Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis categorically denied that Staal would be traded before next Monday’s NHL trade deadline, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review believes that the Penguins could pursue a deal to bring Staal back in the offseason.
There is reason to believe there’s credence to the rumors. After all, it was Penguins GM Jim Rutherford who made the deal to bring Staal to Carolina while holding the same position with the Canes. So would it make sense to bring Staal back? In spite of the fact that he has seven years remaining on a 10-year, $60 million contract?
Though there is a temptation to bring back the “three-center model” that helped make the Penguins a Stanley Cup Champion, count me out as one of those who thinks it’s a good idea to bring back the most expensive third-line center in the NHL.
Don’t get me wrong, Staal is outstanding at what he does, and that’s mainly being a shut down defensive forward who can match up against opponents top lines and kill penalties. That’s an important role on a team looking to win championships, and Staal played that role at Selke level when the Penguins won the Cup in 2009.
However, is that something that is worth a commitment of $42 million of the next seven seasons? Considering how top heavy the Penguins are already with Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang taking up nearly a third of the Penguins available cap space. Can the Penguins possibly afford such a move?
On the surface, they can. The Penguins will shed $9 million off the books if soon-to-be free agents Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff are not re-signed, along with a number of forwards such as Steve Downie, Craig Adams and Maxim Lapierre who may also not be back next season.
That’s fine, but just because you have the ability to bring Staal back, does it mean it makes sense? With Brandon Sutter signed through next season, they already have a third-line center capable of doing the job. Though Sutter may not be Staal, is the difference that great? Considering Sutter is being paid just over half of what Staal is making, I don’t think so for a moment.
Staal has languished in Carolina. After being acquired and reunited with his brother Eric, the belief was Jordan would help be the difference maker who would make the Canes a Stanley Cup contender. Unfortunately, Rutherford made a fundamental mistake that proved to be extremely costly; he felt Staal could be a reliable, consistent top-six forward, something he will never be.
The result has been a team that has been near the bottom of the standings throughout Staal’s time in Carolina, and an albatross of a contract you would think Francis would love to rid his franchise of.
So, does it worry anyone else that suddenly the same GM who by most accounts got taken to the cleaners is now looking to negotiate a deal that would bring Staal, and his pricey contract, back to the burgh?
Count me in as one of those who’s worried, real worried…
What are you going to give up to get Staal? The irony here is most would concede that former Pens GM Ray Shero most certainly got the better of Rutherford in the deal that got a return of Sutter, promising young defenseman Brian Demoulin and a first-round pick used to take prized rookie defenseman Derrick Pouliot.
The Penguins will have more pressing needs this off-season. Among them is deciding on the future of free agents like Martin, Ehrhoff, and versatile forward Blake Comeau. Let’s not forget that David Perron will be a free agent after next season, and one would hope that Rutherford did not trade a first-round pick only to see him leave because they can’t afford to extend him.
Maybe bringing the 26-year-old center makes sense if he can be the player he was at his best with the Penguins. However, with so much money invested in a handful of players, can the Penguins afford his contract and keep important pieces like Comeau and Perron in the fold?
It’s a tough question, and the answer could have serious ramifications for the future of the organization. For the sake of the Penguins, let’s hope Rutherford has a better approach to Staal than the last time. If not, it could end up coming back to haunt Rutherford and the franchise he’s running a second time.
