Re-Signing Max Talbot in 5 Easy Steps

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The energy of the Pittsburgh Penguins may not re-sign with his team. Rumor is that Max Talbot is looking for a lucrative four-year deal from Ray Shero and the Penguins organization. The talks between Talbot and the team are supposed to start this week. Here are a few steps to point them (Talbot and the team) in the right direction.

5. Show Talbot the HBO 24/7 Series

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Diehard hockey fans watched the Emmy-winning HBO series that followed the Penguins and the Washington Capitals on the road to the Winter Classic. Those that watched saw the tight camaraderie between the Pittsburgh players. Talbot needs that.

Who else is he going to play SOCOM with on the plane to and from away games?

No other hockey player will measure up to Marc-Andre Fleury as a great roommate for Talbot. Who else will he pull pranks with? Who can he rip on Sidney Crosby in French with? Who else can he translate for?

(Note: If you haven't already, please YouTube the video of Talbot acting as a translator for Fleury. Please, do it. Please.)

(On second thought, the Penguins brass should show Talbot that video as well.)

4. Take Him out on the Town

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Max loves the ladies. The ladies love Max. See how the young woman in this picture is facing him and not Evgeni Malkin? They love him. Talbot already has a strong female fanbase in Pittsburgh. He can only capitalize on it if he stays. Imagine how many female Penguins fans would want to thank him!

3. Remind Him of 2009

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Ah, 2009. What a lovely year! Assuming that both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin come back healthy (and stay healthy), 2012 could look a lot like 2009 for the Penguins. Look how happy Talbot is holding Lord Stanley's Cup! He's going to want to do it again. Why not do it with a team that will be a viable contender next year?

It also reminds him of his status as a clutch player. He comes up with big goals at big times. His two in Game 7 of the Finals in 2009 won the Cup for the Penguins.

Ray Shero should ask to borrow the Cup to remind Talbot how much re-signing with the Penguins would be worth. Since the Cup will likely be busy during that time, he can get use of those inflatable ones instead.

2. Remind Him How Much Fun It Is to Play the Flyers

Shh! Who doesn't remember that moment from the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers series to start the playoffs in 2009? It ended up being the kiss of death for Philadelphia and changed the momentum of the game for the Penguins.

Since that moment, there have been t-shirts made with Talbot's face and "Shhhhhhh!" written underneath. Fans loved it! Well, Penguins fans did. Talbot was a marketer's dream in that moment.

He's one of the Penguins' most popular players. He will gain fans if he can churn out another moment like this against the Flyers.

1. Bring in the Kid

Sidney Crosby can do it all, right? If that's true, he should certainly be able to convince his buddy, Talbot, to re-sign with the Pens. Crosby wants to stay in Pittsburgh and the Penguins will do anything to keep him. Crosby and Talbot have known each other for a long time. Just look at the evidence of the bromance in the picture. Crosby's not even wearing 87!

These two have been spotted out together, along with James Neal, around Pittsburgh. Crosby knows Talbot should stay in Pittsburgh and could be a vital part of the Penguins' plan. A well-timed phone call or visit by Crosby could be just what the Penguins need to lock up Talbot.