THN: Why the Penguins should trade Sidney Crosby for the No. 1 pick

[thejazz97]

Before any Pittsburgh fans go and get their jerseys in a jumble, just pause for a second, take a deep breath and think about it: if the Penguins fail to get back to the Stanley Cup final for the sixth straight season, what else is left for the franchise to do but blow up the core?

After an off-season of upheaval in which Pittsburgh brought in a new coach, a new GM and a new supporting cast for Sidney Crosby, there would be few options left but to raze the roster to the ground and begin anew. Sure, the Penguins could use Marc-Andre Fleury as a scapegoat and try using the same roster again next season with a different goalie, but that would only be putting off the inevitable. (Just ask the San Jose Sharks, who are years behind on the rebuilding schedule after sticking with their core despite perennial playoff failures, including their first-round faceplant last year.)

The best thing for the Penguins to do would be to try to trade Crosby for the next Crosby.

On April 18 the NHL will hold its annual draft lottery. This year, however, it comes with a welcome twist. Any of the 14 teams that miss the playoffs could win the first-overall pick, giving them the right to draft Connor McDavid, arguably the best prospect since Sidney Crosby, who many are calling the next Sidney Crosby.

Provided they continue to stink the rest of the season, the five bottom feeders – Buffalo, Arizona, Edmonton, Toronto and Carolina – will have the best odds to win the lottery. Taken together, however, they only have a 63 percent chance to draft McDavid. The other nine non-playoff teams collectively have a 37 percent chance, better than 1-in-3 odds.

Imagine if the Boston Bruins and/or Los Angeles Kings miss the post-season and win the lottery. If you’re the Bruins, with an aging Zdeno Chara and a roster built to win now, wouldn’t you consider reloading with Crosby instead of rebuilding with McDavid? If you’re the Kings, wouldn’t you be salivating at the possibility of a Crosby-led Kings club that could become the first dynasty since the 1980s Edmonton Oilers?

Then there are Dallas and Colorado. If you’re the Stars and Avs, doesn’t adding Crosby make you a Cup contender next season?

But it’s not only these teams that could be tripping all over themselves to land Crosby. Columbus, Florida or New Jersey would instantly get a superstar to sell to a struggling market. Calgary, Minnesota and Winnipeg may be hockey-mad markets, but the opportunity to become immediately maniacal might be too tempting to pass up. And you got to think Ottawa and San Jose would kick the crap out of these trade tires if either held the No. 1 pick and Pittsburgh came calling.

Then there’s that other Pennsylvania team. Now, this would be like Derek Jeter playing for the Boston Red Sox, but Crosby in a Flyers uniform could end the franchise’s four-decades-long championship drought as early as next season. There’s no other hair-trigger owner in the NHL like Philly’s Ed Snider, and just imagine the Stanley Cup scenarios that would be swirling in his white-haired head at the thought of a Crosby-Claude Giroux 1-2 punch down the middle. Even if GM Ron Hextall weren’t onboard, Snider gets what Snider wants.

For each of these teams, as currently constituted, trading for Crosby is just as, if not more, tempting than drafting McDavid, even if he does turn out to be the next Crosby. An 18-year-old Crosby can’t win them the Cup now, but a 28-year-old Crosby sure could. Besides, Crosby is a proven superstar, McDavid only potentially one. However small the likelihood, there’s a chance he doesn’t reach Crosby’s heights.

Would Pittsburgh actually trade the world’s best player for the No. 1 pick?

Well, there’s the Captain Obvious argument that if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, then anyone can be dealt, but that’s not the only reason for the Penguins to deal Crosby. Assuming McDavid comes as advertised, they would be getting a potential Crosby for an about-to-pass-his-prime Crosby who will remain one head hit away from retirement for the rest of his career.

A recent study showed that forwards peak in scoring at 28 years old then begin to decline. For a rebuilding team, an appreciating asset like McDavid makes more sense to build around than a depreciating one like Crosby will soon be.

If Pittsburgh gets punted in the first or second round, as looks likely, co-owner Mario Lemieux might finally come to the conclusion that this core can’t win another Cup for the city. If he does, he should move heaven, Earth and the other seven planets to do this deal.

Even among the bottom five teams there are possibilities for the Penguins.

Should the Sabres win the lottery, they’re smart enough to hold onto the No. 1 pick, but the others might be more shortsighted. What if you’re the Coyotes, with one of the NHL’s poorest attendances? Crosby instantly gives that money-bleeding franchise a packed arena on a regular basis at higher ticket prices. And what if you’re the Maple Leafs, who haven’t had a player of Crosby’s stature since, well, never? Could Brendan Shanahan and Co. resist the citywide cacophony from fans demanding the trade if word ever leaked out that Crosby was on the block?

Similar arguments could be made for both the Oilers and the Hurricanes, too.

Of course, all of this is moot if Crosby wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause. (His contract has 10 more years left at an annual cap hit of $8.7 million.) But if Pittsburgh decides its done with its current core and wants to start afresh, it’s at least as likely that Crosby would welcome a fresh start, too, and be open to a trade.

Gretzky was traded August 9, 1988, when he was 28 years old. Crosby turns 28 August 7. The logic isn’t ludicrous, even if the scenario is surreal. And stranger things have happened.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/why-the-penguins-should-trade-sidney-crosby-for-the-no-1-pick/

[canuktravella]

horrible idea mcdavid will be better and has 10 more yrs in his career than crosby does makes no sense

[Jiggs50]

What a stupid article.

[n00bxQb]

THN: Why you should unsubscribe from our magazine

[Warhippy]

horrible idea mcdavid will be better and has 10 more yrs in his career than crosby does makes no sense

Based on what?

I HATE this statement.

MacDavid has as much chance to be Daigle as Crosby and even mroe chance ot simply be a 1st line star.

people SERIOUSLY need to stop making statements like that

[Warhippy]

I actually brought this up in a thread before. And yes, it makes a ton of sense for a lot of teams.

Why gamble on a possibility if you are almost ready to contend now?

Adding a Crosby adds a buttload of ticket sales and millions in merch alone. Adding MacDavid adds...a possibility in a few years. there is little to no guarantee MacDavid pans out to even half the hype. There is just as much possibility of him being a good player as there is a Crosby.

Owners would seriously look at this for VERY obvious reasons no matter what fans on a hockey forum think or say.

[theminister]

Conspicuously absent mention of Malkin.

[TheRussianRocket.]

Pens would be smart to do it but they won't just cause it's not a realistic possiblilty for them. It makes sense but a lot of things that make sense don't go through and this is one of them.

Pens won't trade Crosby (makes sense for them but not realistic) and 1st overall team won't trade the pick at all.

[Caboose]

McDavid clocks in at a 3.75 million cap hit.

Crosby is 8.7.

I know which one I would rather build around in the cap era.

[Senpai]

horrible idea mcdavid will be better and has 10 more yrs in his career than crosby does makes no sense

You've never watched a single Connor McDavid game besides maybe the World Juniors.

Stop.

[bigbadcanucks]

Based on what?

I HATE this statement.

MacDavid has as much chance to be Daigle as Crosby and even mroe chance ot simply be a 1st line star.

people SERIOUSLY need to stop making statements like that

What do you expect from what may be the thickest poster on CDC? (though that desi character gives travella a run for his money on the stupid meter).

Stupid article elicits stupid responses from stupid posters, Warhippy. It's a cascading effect.

[Dazzle]

Crosby is someone that you just don't trade away. Pittsburgh will keep him until he retires.

[Pears]

I stopped reading after the title. If there's anyone that's truly untouchable in this league it's Crosby. Why not trade Malkin for a better supporting cast?

[Warhippy]

What do you expect from what may be the thickest poster on CDC? (though that desi character gives travella a run for his money on the stupid meter).

Stupid article elicits stupid responses from stupid posters, Warhippy. It's a cascading effect.

You're right in part.

Stupid responses. I know I responded to it quickly enough and I am thicker than most.

but I actually did bring this up in regards to the Pens trading Crosby or Malkin for the 1st or 2nd overall.

http://forum.canucks.com/topic/368061-proposal-would-you-or-wouldnt-you-pens-and-bufedm/

It makes sense for all teams involved. Buffalo Arizona Edmonton all have cap space and NEED a #1 center while still having some amazing players capable of 1st line center duties or the leagues best 2nd-3rd line center system behind malkin or Crosby

And all for the low low price of not taking the gamble on that prospect who might take years to develop or under some programs (edm Tor) might not develop at all.

[Intoewsables]

I was thinking about making a thread about this idea a while ago because it's a really interesting discussion. On one hand, you have the best player in the world making $8.7 million with about 10 years of effectiveness left. On the other, you have a player who COULD be the next Crosby, making a lot less on his ELC and could potentially provide ~20 years of effectiveness. Which is more valuable? Would Pittsburgh actually consider making a move like this? Would the lottery winner? There's probably way too much risk for either side to even contemplate making a move like that, but it's a fun topic nonetheless.

[Warhippy]

I was thinking about making a thread about this idea a while ago because it's a really interesting discussion. On one hand, you have the best player in the world making $8.7 million with about 10 years of effectiveness left. On the other, you have a player who COULD be the next Crosby, making a lot less on his ELC and could potentially provide ~20 years of effectiveness. Which is more valuable? Would Pittsburgh actually consider making a move like this? Would the lottery winner? There's probably way too much risk for either side to even contemplate making a move like that, but it's a fun topic nonetheless.

Well really when it comes down to it.

Toronto, Arizona, Buffalo, Carolina, Edmonton and Columbus are all currently the big teams in terms of youth movement. They could/should benefit from the 1st overall and allow him to develop for another year or two.

That being said, ALL of those teams would benefit from a Malkin or Crosby for the exact same reason. Massive marketing coup, huge ticket sales and cannot think of a better player to mentor those younger players.

People putting such emphasis on this pick are crazy. Oh sorry no we don't want the best player in the world for a 50/50 shot at a good player in 5 years. We'd rather keep doing what we're doing and hoping it works for once.

A team in the later half of the top 10 would benefit hands down from a crosby or malkin. immediate boost to a flagging team. Colorado, Dallas, Ottawa, Florida, San Jose, Philli...it just makes to much sense.

Plus people forget it's all about $$. A prospect MIGHT put butts in the seats, but a Crosby will make you millions from day 1

[Bobby_Lu1ngo]

Wow this is ridiculous. Crosby still has a good 6 or 7 years in him. Right around when mcd could be getting close to ufa status if he wanted.

I think its fair to say that mcD will be a top nhl player in a few seasons but he may not hit crosby levels. There is no guarantee.

[Goat James]

McDavid clocks in at a 3.75 million cap hit.

Crosby is 8.7.

I know which one I would rather build around in the cap era.

Yeah, Crosby is totally overpaid! I mean, it doesn't make any sense to have the player who has had the highest point per game ratio in the entire league every year for five years. He has also been top 5 in the league every year except for his rookie season when he, as an 18 year old had the sixth best point per game ratio in the league.

This is just stupid. Crosby is the best player of his generation. The only player since Lemieux to rival him is Jagr. Yeah, Sidney is turning 28 this year, but trading him for a rookie who's proved nothing at NHL level just doesn't make sense. McDavid is looking like a future superstar, but Pittsburgh has invested so much money into him, Consol Energy Center has a capacity of 18387, for heaven's sake! If it weren't for Crosby there's a good chance that the Penguins would have been moved to Las Vegas.

Threads like these are dumb, there was a thread after last season where people were saying that Nathan MacKinnon was a better player than Crosby. MacKinnon has had a sophomore slump this year, scoring 38 points in 64 games this season. For reference, Crosby scored 36 goals and 120 points in 79 game, winning the Art Ross and Hart Trophy, in his sophomore season as a 19 year old.

I don't wanna sound like a Crosby fanboy, my favorite non Canuck players are Gabriel Landeskog and Claude Giroux, but you cannot deny that he is the greatest player of his generation, and to say that McDavid is going to be better than Crosby for sure is just dumb.

[HC20.0]

Trade Malkin if anybody. Keep Crosby.

[Bo Bo 53]

I wouldnt trade #1 pick for anything this year accept maybe a huger deal then crosby. McDavid is so good will be better then Crosby u can mark my words!