Earth to Penguins
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by user Dukeboy999
Let me give the Pittsburgh Penguins a little advice. Hell, they can even take a page out of the Islanders' book. But please, whatever they do, will the Pittsburgh Penguins please lock Sidney Crosby up long term? As a lifelong fan, it is making me nervous, that we could lose the next Wayne Gretzky because we are full of ourselves.
Last time I checked the Penguins weren't exactly on top of the hockey world. However, the fans in Pittsburgh, along with the team. seem to think they are. Night after night, the arena is sold out and then some. Like all of the sudden this is a Stanley Cup team? This is a young hockey team, and when someone in sports says "young", they usually mean "average". Even if four of your young players are four future superstars, there is still work to be done in Pittsburgh. And seeing as everyone has a Christmas list these days, so should then Pens.
1. Get a new Arena: No young Gretzky or Jagr will be able to save this team if they dont get a new arena. I am pretty sure The current one is still showing wear and tear from the Civil War. Without the Island Capris slot deal on the 20th of this month, the Pens are all but gone. And the new owner doesn't care because he could make this team a cash cow in 20 other cities with the young stars he has on the ice.
2. Re-sign Sidney Crosby: This kid will be the basis of this framchise for the next 15 years. Right now, this team is a .500 team. Without him, they don't win 15 games. Keep Crosby around and you are a lock for at least one Cup, maybe more in the next 10 years. After next year his deal is up so sign him up long term.
3. Re-sign Evgeni Malkin: This kid is the Messier to Crosby's Gretzky. Without him alongside Crosby, kiss the Cups goodbye, no matter what city the team plays in. Three year deals just don't cut it for guys like Malkin and Crosby. In a couple years, teams with a ton of cap space and dwindling attendance will pay a king's ransom and then some for these guys.
4. Re-sign Jordan Staal: The third piece of the Stanley Cup puzzle. He is better than his brother Eric, and look what he did for the Canes last year.
5. Re-sign Marc-Andre Fluery: He's the best young goalie in the league. He leads all goalies in All Star voting. And how can you win a Cup without a great keeper. He can be streaky, but he will grow this year and be solid.
6. Sign Solid Veterans: This team is just what I keep saying; YOUNG! So give the young guys help and guidance. Heck, for now the Pens don't even have a captain.
If the Pens get everything they want this year, or even just a couple of their biggest wants, they will be heading for multiple Cups. If they have been naughty this year, those Cups could be won in Hartford.
