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I can't believe Im debating hockey with a guy that would take Talbot or Staal over Crosby or Malkin but anyways...

2 years ago, Crosby and Malkin both were injured and didn't play in the playoffs so of you are going to hold complete knee reconstruction and a horid concussion against them not playing a post season go ahead.

Malkin won the Conn Smythe but you claim he isn't a playoff guy. Dude, do you watch hockey? Listen I'm not taking anything away from Giroux or the Flyers. I respect the heck out of that organization. They knew what they needed to do to last offseason and in a fire sell completely revamped their roster in a few months. They are, in my opinion, the favorites to win the East the next time we have hockey. It is hard to build a dynasty or even string together championships in hockey right now. It's something like 8 different winners in the last 8 cups. The salary cap, high probability of injuries, and lack of their being a consistently dominate goaltender in the league right now have led to that. With that said there are 6 teams or so at the top of the NHL and the Pens and Flyers are 2 of them. Both have rabid fanbases and absolutely great organizations.

I would take staal not Talbot. Give staal opportunity I think he is top 5 center

You wouldn't if you watched the Pens. When Staal is moved to the top 2 lines his production drops. it's because of the attention to Crosby and Malkin that he is productive as a 3rd line center. He does play great defense and I'm not sure there is a better penalty killer in the East. Wait and watch him at Carolina, he'll be a 1st or 2nd line center and you won't hear much about him. That said, the trade of Staal worked out in the best intrest of both teams, I know i'll miss him but such is the way of hockey since the last lock-out.

I could not agree with you more. Staal is the best 3rd line center in the league. He is also one of the best penalty killers in the league and the Pens will miss that the most about him. Now that he is in Carolina, his numbers will go down big time.