If HCDB wants to try the Staalkin line again, is this how it shakes up?

First line: Kunitz/Crosby/Dupuis           First Defense pairing: Orpik/Letang

Second line: Neal/Staal/Malkin             Second Defense pairing: Martin/Michalek 

Third line: Cooke/Letestu/Kennedy      Thrid Defense pairing: Depres/Lovejoy

Fourth line: Asham/Adams/Sullivan

Scratches and extra bodies: Tangradi, Engelland and Jeffrey/Connor if they are resigned

Sid was working on a career year with those linemates before the injury so no complains there. Staal and Letestu could be changed around at center to keep the 3rd line intact if no Staalkin, and I think that Letestu is a better faceoff guy than Malkin. After last year's camp I really think that Depres is going to be a regular with the team.

I was ticked that Jagr didn't take our offer, heck he would have made 1.3mil in endorsements easily. After looking at our lines, though, I think we are in great shape without the risk of him causing distractions. Thoughts?

I watched the Bolts/B-Hawk game on the NHL network last night and I gotta rant a bit.

Is it just me or do the promos of players helmetless in a photo shoot seem geared to people that like checking out dudes? I'd rather see highlight worthy goals/saves than players modeling nonstop. It was getting painful by the 3rd period.

Maybe the NHL is trying hard to make ground into the chick fan market.

Scanning through the free agent listings and a few names jumped off the page...

Cheechoo? with Ottawa buying out his contract could he be gotten on the cheap, like McKee last year? A one year deal less than a million? He at least has some top2 line forward experience. Big question mark on chemistry, though.

Afinogenov? How much of a pay raise is he due? Probably too much for us but again he has some top line exp. He potentially might be interested in playing on a contender instead of big money.

Selanne has been mentioned for PP help by other posters and his price range probably could be met.

On an unrelated note, Hulu is streaming our cup victory game over the North Stars and Mario's 4 goal All-Star game in Pittsburgh for you puckheads starving for action like myself.

I was talking Penguins hockey over beers with a buddy and we somehow got stuck on Jagr being a potential grab for the Penguins. I did my homework and Jagr has a KHL contract for 2010-11 in Russia. He has expressed interest in a return to the NHL, but would be looking at a pay cut for it to work on the Penguins end.

His play looked good in the Olympics and would provide immediate help to our power play.

We ended up agreeing that a large amount of legwork would need done for it to work but it made for an interesting conversation.