Certainly a tough financial decision in this salary cap era. I've got to hope some of the young guys will bring the grit that Malone brought to the team. He'll help Tampa a lot.
It's actually crazy how much talent the Penguins had on their team. No shot at what they have now but definately extremely deep and talented. I wonder when the Pens are actually going to start spending money rather than letting these players slip away.
They committed a ton of money to Malkin and "Flower" and offered Hossa more than he took from Detroit
I know they'd put a lot in those two but I've heard reports that the offer for Hossa was much smaller than what originally everyone was saying they offered.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/archive/s_589613.html <table width="70%" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"> <tbody> <tr style="font-weight: bold;" align="center"> <td colspan="7" rowspan="1">Looking back on 'Bugsy'</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="7" rowspan="1">A glance at Pittsburgh-born left wing Ryan Malone's tenure with the Penguins. Following a June 28 trade to Tampa Bay, Malone signed a seven-year deal worth $31.5 million with the Lightning:</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Season</td> <td>Games</td> <td>G</td> <td>A</td> <td>Pts</td> <td>+/-</td> <td>Team finish</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003-04</td> <td>81</td> <td>22</td> <td>21</td> <td>43</td> <td>-23</td> <td>58 points, 5th in Atlantic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005-06</td> <td>77</td> <td>22</td> <td>22</td> <td>44</td> <td>-22</td> <td>58 points, 5th in Atlantic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006-07</td> <td>64</td> <td>16</td> <td>15</td> <td>31</td> <td>4</td> <td>105 points, 2nd in Atlantic</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007-08</td> <td>77</td> <td>27</td> <td>24</td> <td>51</td> <td>14</td> <td>102 points, 1st in Atlantic</td> </tr> <tr style="font-style: italic;"> <td colspan="7" rowspan="1">Source: NHL</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
