NHL Trades and Rumors
Penguins to Conduct Internal Review Prior to Any Malkin Deal
Before offering Malkin an extension, reports are his situation in Pittsburgh will have to be reviewed.
According to recent reports, if the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to offer Evgeni Malkin a new contract extension, the organization is going to need to conduct a thorough internal review. In other words, while an extension was almost a given prior to the new GM and President of Hockey Operations coming on board, that’s no longer the case.
Related: Penguins Quickly Shoot Down Rumors of Crosby Trade to Canadiens
Here’s what we know… First, if the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be making sweeping changes to their roster, it won’t be this season. Both Ron Hextall and Brian Burke have now repeatedly said the team will try to win with this group and do what they can to make them competitive. Second, if that doesn’t work and changes are afoot, it will start this offseason.
At the top of the ‘what to look at’ list sits Malkin.
Previously, Malkin was said to want an extension with the Penguins. He told The Athletic in September 2019 he would like to sign a three-year deal to finish his career in Pittsburgh. Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune also pointed out that recent reports had noted things hadn’t really changed until this week.
According to radio host Mark Madden, Malkin and the Penguins had previously spoken about him staying with the team and getting a contract extension offer. Now, with Burke and Hextall running the show, that situation is going to be reevaluated. He’s still likely to stay, but there are things the team wants to consider first.
Among them, Pittsburgh wants to consider the return Malkin could fetch if traded, whether or not Malkin would be open to a deal elsewhere and, finally, how Sidney Crosby will react.
Madden said:
“I’ve since got a bit of a disclaimer from somebody who would know, saying that Geno is not likely to be traded. Mario (Lemieux) doesn’t want to. But that could be up for review. The only true untouchable is Sid (Crosby).”
Madden connected the dots of a deal that could see Malkin go to the Florida Panthers if both sides agreed to a trade. He wife is from Miami and Madden suggests Malkin would do what she wants, especially if the Penguins say they’d like him to consider being open to a trade. The problem is, that might not be what Crosby wants and the Sid might take issue if the Penguins try to move his good buddy.
It’s More Likely Things Stay As Is
Forgetting for a moment that a Malkin trade might actually be difficult to pull off and get good value, it is being reported that both Crosby and Malkin endorsed the Burke-Hextall partnership. The Penguins didn’t have to seek their permission, but they did… and that means a lot.
Malkin and the Penguins can begin negotiations on a new contract the first day of the 2021-22 season — this summer. If the Penguins are taking the time to ask Malkin for his “blessing” on the new hires, it doesn’t point to clues the team will be eager to do anything but see him retire in a Penguins jersey.
And, according to reports, if the either Burke or Hextall are going to consider moving Malkin, they need to run it by ownership first. Both men were told during their interviews that ownership will stay out of their way. That said, when it comes to the superstar veterans, a trade must be given the ok before completed.
Other Penguins News
Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now notes a source who thinks that Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson might be concerned about where his team is headed and would potentially liked to be moved.
Murphy points out that the Penguins might be interested with Brian Burke now the President of Hockey Operations.
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