The Pittsburgh Penguins and Evgeni Malkin will work out a brand new deal
Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports joined Ryan Paton, Dennis Bernstein, and Dave Pagnotta on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Saturday on TFP The Hotstove. She was asked about Evgeni Malkin and the likelihood that he would return to the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: Status Quo for Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Dennis Bernstein: “You’re thinking that Geno (Evgeni) Malkin goes to play in Pittsburgh next 12 months?”
Taylor Haase: “I do. Initially, they said at first of the season, they’d made a call, they’re going to refer to him on the Olympic break. I mean, they did, but that’s not precisely the time to be hammering out details, because then you could have the trade deadline right there.
After which Geno, there’s a little bit of a miscommunication. I do know Geno got here out publicly and said they’re not going to speak until the summer. And he sounded apprehensive about it. But then Dubas pulled him aside, talking again. After which Geno said, Dubas told him, don’t worry. After which reiterated that we’ll talk in the summertime. I mean, Geno desires to be back. He’s been very clear that he doesn’t need to go anywhere else.
I feel the best way he’s been playing, he’s on one other level in comparison with perhaps his last two seasons. He did have a little bit of an injury issue earlier. He’s hurt right away with some various things. He took a puck to the hand. That’s not like an old age thing.
After which he’s making $6.1 million. Now, if you happen to can get him back for that, I feel Malkin would even be willing to take less. I feel that’s a no brainer. Also, since the free agent market isn’t great, or the Penguins don’t really have a top-six center within the pipeline, able to push for that spot. I mean, perhaps, perhaps, Ben Kindel can move up.
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But there are only so many explanation why it is smart to bring them back.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Pittsburgh Penguins have been overachieving this season. Everyone thought they’d be within the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes. Now there was a little bit tension when the Penguins returned from the Olympic Break, as Malkin wasn’t completely happy that contract talks could be pushed to the summer. Nonetheless, after some discussions, each parties appear to be on the identical page.
Malkin wasn’t sure at the start of the season if he wanted to return back. But now he has it in his mind to return back not less than for yet another season, perhaps more, and retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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