Their greatest strength has become their biggest question: How do the Penguins keep three elite centers, each headed for his third NHL contract?

Short answer: They probably don’t.

Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin. Jordan Staal. You have come to know them and love them, but you had to figure a breakup was possible someday.

And, yes, Crosby belongs in the discussion, at least in theory. Moving him is a notion that never would have arisen if not for his concussion crisis. It’s now a fair topic.

This coming summer, though complicated by an expiring collective bargaining agreement, could change everything. To deny the strong possibility of one of The Big Three leaving is to deny reality.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero won’t dodge the issue. He knows better than anyone just how real it is.

“We have these three center icemen, which is an unbelievable thing,” Shero said. “But in a salary cap system, when guys get into their second contracts, it’s difficult, let alone their third. How’s that going to shake itself out?”

Staal and Crosby have a year left on their deals. Malkin has two. The Penguins can open negotiations with Crosby and Staal on July 1.

Sure, they could lavish all three with mega deals, but at what price to the rest of their roster? And even then, Staal would have to want to be here. Still just 23, he is the key. If he is willing to maintain a support role and take less than the open market might offer, beautiful. Problem solved.

But why would he do that?

Would you?
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More likely, Crosby signs a monster deal. Which is hardly a bad thing, so long as he stays healthy. A full summer of workouts should have him primed for next season.

That would leave Malkin or Staal. No easy choice, but I’m keeping Staal. The puzzle makes more sense that way. Staal is the perfect No. 2 center, a massive defensive presence and a rapidly emerging offensive threat.

In terms of a potential role, Staal complements Crosby, whereas Malkin replicates him. The Penguins have two of the same in Crosby and Malkin: two franchise centerpieces, two No. 1 centers, two guys who like to run the power play from the same spot.

It’s a “problem” every team would take, of course, but in the Penguins’ unique conundrum, it’s probably time to pick a lead horse.

Any route they take will be fraught with risk.

My guess is the Penguins will move Staal, viewing Malkin as an insurance policy for Crosby. But if I’m Lemieux, co-owner Ron Burkle and Shero, and I’m dead set on rolling the dice with Sid, I sign Staal and fortify my roster with the return for Malkin. His value — likely league MVP with two years left on his deal — is sky-high.

It’s the best answer to an impossible question.
http://triblive.com/sports/1640021-7...on-shero-third