Pittsburgh Penguins
Evgeni Malkin Signs 4-Year Extension With Pittsburgh Penguins
Evgeni Malkin will avoid free agency and has signed a four-year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It appeared as though Evgeni Malkin might stay with the Pittsburgh Penguins, then it appeared as though he was going to have to test the free agency market. Then, just hours before free agency period opened up, it was announced that Malkin had agreed to terms on a four-year extension worth just over $6 million per season. Needless to say, Penguins fans are happy the veteran forward is sticking around and Malkin is likely elated to have this drama over with.
Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports, “Sidney Crosby, from what I’ve heard, played a big role in getting both sides talking once again after Monday’s negotiations went poorly.” Malkin is a huge piece of the organization’s history and Crosby probably wouldn’t have been happy if the franchise simply let him walk away over a few hundred thousand dollars.
Malkin was a pending UFA looking to stick with the only club he’s ever played for. But, there were issues when it came to the terms of a new deal and the Penguins were reportedly concerned about the term and what it might mean locking into a deal with the 35-year-old. That said, Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke denied Tuesday that contract talks broke down with Malkin because of term. Interestingly though, Burke did admit that the two sides were unable to reach a deal. Something must have changed in the final hours and both sides came back to the negotiating table. Malkin’s new deal runs through the 2025-26 campaign and carries an average annual value of $6.1 million.
Insiders and fans were shocked when it seemed like he would go to market. He was a player fans would watch with close interest if Wednesday’s free agency period opened up and he was available to the highest bidder. The Pens clearly didn’t want that to happen. “Evgeni is a generational talent who will be remembered as one of the greatest players in NHL history,” said GM Ron Hextall. “His hockey resume and individual accomplishments speak volumes about him as a player, and we are thrilled to watch him continue his remarkable legacy in Pittsburgh.”
Next: Johnny Gaudreau Informs Flames He Will Be Signing Elsewhere
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