But Madden is Actively Shopping FOR THEM!

In light of my previous post, I found another article by Mark Madden after reading the one by Rossi.

In which, Madden proclaims, "a blockbuster deal makes sense for Pens."

The blockbuster deal, according to Madden, would include the players that Rossi made reference to in his article (minus Gaborik), Jordan Staal and Ilya Kovulchuk.

Both of Rossi's and Madden's articles are eerily similar in the fact that they make reference to the same players as well as their touching upon talks between Penguins GM, Ray Shero, and Atlanta GM, Don Waddell (I suppose it's not so outlandish that they would mention Waddell with Kovalchuk since both are in the Atlanta organization, but the fact that they hint there's been talks seems to make it more believeable - or NOT -- Madden reports there is / are talks, but Rossi says there haven't been).

Madden does, however, make a few interesting arguments for trying to snatch Kovulchuk:

• The Thrashers stink. Kovalchuk is certain to depart when his contract expires at the end of next season. Remember when the Penguins dumped Jaromir Jagr and Alex Kovalev before they left for free? Atlanta will do the same with Kovalchuk. This deal isn’t pie-in-the-sky. It’s logical.
• Kovalchuk and Sidney Crosby would be one of hockey’s all-time two-man combos, a latter-day Grezky and Kurri, the top shooter and the top passer. They would want to play together forever. By creating a little cap room — and by persuading Kovalchuk to give a little discount like Crosby and Malkin — the Penguins could facilitate that. Kovalchuk might score 70. Crosby might get 100 assists.