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?