Pens without Ronnie

I really donīt know where to start. Francis is one of the leagues best centers, and was easily the Pens no. 1 center. So, we still have centers like Stu Barnes and Martin Straka. But the fact is that they are just 2nd line centers. And the fact that this happens in the off-season before we re-enter Atlantic Division (former Patrick Division) isnīt making the situation any better.
I donīt know if he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, but how could he stay when our GM obviously didnīt want him. Or did he want him to stay? If he wanted to get rid of Francis he could have traded him on trading deadline (the Pens would have got a really good player for him, I think). Was he maybe too lazy to negotiate with him?
But letīs not blame him alone. Take the owners, for example. When a GM in another team is doing a bad job, he is fired. Why hasnīt anyone thought of that in Pittsburgh?
Remember the beginning of last season when the Pens struggled a bit? There was one team we always defeated; the Carolina Hurricanes. Hahahah!!! Ahh, those where the days, folks. Those where the days!