Malone says no to trading. Wants to test free agency?

Question

AHHHHHH.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_573270.html

Ok, we all knew he was leaving......now we can't even trade him and get a pick?! Just tell us Ryan where you want to go and we'll send you there! We need a draft pick!

(Sorry I'm still talking about this)

I think I may not hate him. We don't have any picks in the first three rounds and he was our hope of getting one.

Ah, well......as they say "life goes on". Just thought I'd inform everyone of the Malone saying he's just going to test free agency.

Question........There's a poll on the NHL website and I wanted to see what you thought.....

.....Since 1990, who has been the best 7th round steal of the Entry Draft?

Andrew Brunette (WSH, 1993)

Martin Erat (NSH, 1999)

Pavel Kubina (TBL, 1996)

Robert Lang (LAK, 1990)

Ladislav Nagy (STL, 1997)

Marek Svatos (COL, 2001)

Henrik Zetterberg (DET, 1999)

Answer 1

Without a doubt Zetterberg. I wish the leafs would get lucky with their draft picking.

Answer 2

Brunette as #2

we all know who #1 is, it starts with a "Z"

Answer 3

Mr Z for sure.

Yea I'm a little surprised at how Malone is handling this. Unless it's all just maneuvering for a better contract.

Answer 4

If he does leave, the Pens could land Blake Wheeler since he told the Yotes that he won't sign an entry level contract and will become an unrestricted free agent July 1st. No team can make an offer that is higher than what the Yotes gave him.

Answer 5

There's no question that it is Zetterberg.

The real question should be who was the 2nd best?

Of course, i'll have to go with Martin Erat, simply cuz he's my favorite player outside of SJ.  The guy has such great puck handling skills and has improved on his wrister and slap shot through his career in the NHL.  He's become a top line player for Nashville and is slowly developing the leadership skills that many great players need to succeed in the league.  

As for Ryan Malone...that is VERY shocking.  I actually heard Pittsburgh had the deal done and was ready to execute it come tomorrow or as early as tonight.  Malone is really hurting the Pens right now!

Answer 6

Henrik Zetterberg, without a doubt.

Answer 7

Not surprised by this

Zetterberg

Answer 8

Well... Malone is not gonna be with the Pens next year. That is sorta a given. But he should at least tell us where he wants to go, and we'll ship him there as you said.

Zetterberg

Answer 9

He's doing this on purpose, he's gonna end up signing with the Penguins.

Question - Zetterberg!

Answer 10

Henrik Lundqvist!!

7th rounder, 205 overall, franchise goalie?  Pretty good steal, if you ask me.

Though Zetterberg is an awesome answer as well.

And the Pens don't need any more draft picks.  They got enough the past few years.  Yeah Malone! :)

EDIT:  Kate... d**n right.  Heh, I know I'm totally biased, but he is an amazing goalie (3 Vezina nominations and an Olympic gold in three years in the league).  Zetterberg is amazing, but where would the Rangers have been without having Lundqvist the past 3 years?  I'd say he's tops.

EDIT:  Kate... you're in my division, you can have too many. :).  I mean, they averaged the SECOND overall pick for 5 years... COME ON!  how are we supposed to compete with that?  take a few years off from the draft, just to even things out. :)

EDIT:  I wrote nhl.com an email and asked why Lundqvist was left off the list.  They probably won't get back to me.

EDIT:  I tried to repress it too, but if you recall, the rangers were REALLY bad for awhile a few years back.  we can't even lose right!  Heh, actually we just suck at drafting... Hugh Jessiman, Dan Blackburn, Pavel Brendl, Jamie Lundmark, and Manny Malhotra were our 1st round picks from 1998-2003. :(.  Plus, our 96 and 97 1st rounders never made it to the NHL either.

Answer 11

Don't know about 7th round but in 1996 there was a pretty fair defenseman taken in the eighth round. I'd be hard pressed to take Zetterberg over Thomas Kaberle.

Answer 12

Henrik Zetterberg