Malkin to Submit 3-Team Trade List to Penguins, Interesting Team Likely On It

---

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Minnesota Wild would be happy to take Evgeni Malkin off of the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dreger says that Malkin has to submit a three-team trade list in January, and he believes the Wild would be a likely team to land on that list.

It’s an interesting development given how much business the Wild are rumored to be in the middle of and haven’t finalized any of it.

Why Malkin and the Wild?

“This guy is still an impact player at 40 years of age. He’s on the top power play; he’s a 17-minute-per-game guy, and he can still put the puck in the net,” said Dreger. “I know Geurin is interested, but only if the price is right and Malkin is ready to move at that point.”

With the Penguins struggling, Malkin’s future in Pittsburgh is becoming a more closely watched storyline. The financials make it plausible. Malkin carries a $5.5 million cap hit, and with 50 percent retention, Minnesota would be paying roughly $2.75 million for a veteran who can still contribute in a top-six role.

The decision rests largely with Malkin. Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports that people within the organization believe Malkin, like last season, doesn’t want this to be his last in Pittsburgh, and that he still has real passion for the game and the franchise. As Elliotte Friedman noted, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas isn’t likely to insult a franchise icon, so any deal will depend on where Malkin wants to go.

Friedman added, Dubas takes the no-trade and no-move clauses for his veterans seriously and will find out where a player would be willing to play rather than force a move. If Malkin wants to go to Minnesota, that certainly helps matters.

A trade may not happen at all, but if it does, a reunion with Guerin in Minnesota looks like a strong candidate.

Next: Would the Maple Leafs Pay 8-Asset Trade Price for Thomas Harley?