Salary Cap: 24-25 Salary Thread Crosbicles Volume MXIIX: Rust out, Marner in, all part of the plan!

[Big Friggin Dummy]

The Bourque thing is memorable because he didn't have a Cup.

Geno would absolutely be remembered as a Penguin, even if he played elsewhere for a year.

 

[The Old Master]

I think Malkin has always planned to go back to Russia to play a bit there before retiring anyway

not with the war going on.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I think Malkin has always planned to go back to Russia to play a bit there before retiring anyway

The opposite, actually. He seems far more content to live in South Florida.

 

[Ulf5]

If Malkin puts up more than even FIFTY points next year I'll eat that sock that you were supposed to lol

Malkin had a productive season even with Sully doing everything in his power to negate him.
If the new guy is good on his word to play everyone to their strengths, I'm not sure I'd gamble on that "promise".

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

The opposite, actually. He seems far more content to live in South Florida.

Doesn’t he have dual citizenship now too?

Also I feel like Bourque is a bad example to do the ‘people remember him in an Avs jersey before the Bruins’ because he won his only Cup there and all the dramatics that occurred with it. Even if Malkin played for another team for 2-3 years, all of his major accomplishments/Cups occurred in Pittsburgh.

 

[Ulf5]

I think Malkin has always planned to go back to Russia to play a bit there before retiring anyway

The opposite, actually. He seems far more content to live in South Florida.

Wasn't there a quote from Zhenia just last season that he wouldn't be going to Russia?

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Wasn't there a quote from Zhenia just last season that he wouldn't be going to Russia?

Yes. He said when he retires, it will be as a Penguin, and that he never said he'd play in Russia.

“I know what some people say — like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team. But I never say it, you know?

“I retire with Pittsburgh. The Penguins are my team. I love this team. When I retire it’s here.”

Evgeni Malkin won’t retire after this season, will play only for Penguins: ‘This is my only team’

Malkin dispelled rumors that said he'd forgo his final NHL season to return to his hometown team in Russia.

www.nytimes.com

 

[pistolpete11]

Yes. He said when he retires, it will be as a Penguin, and that he never said he'd play in Russia.

“I know what some people say — like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team. But I never say it, you know?

“I retire with Pittsburgh. The Penguins are my team. I love this team. When I retire it’s here.”

Evgeni Malkin won’t retire after this season, will play only for Penguins: ‘This is my only team’

Malkin dispelled rumors that said he'd forgo his final NHL season to return to his hometown team in Russia.

www.nytimes.com

Yeah, but what does he reeeeeally mean by "I retire with Pittsburgh" and "I love this team"? Let's talk about it for a few pages.

 

[Deport Ogie]

Yeah, but what he reeeeeally mean by "I retire with Pittsburgh" and "I love this team"? Let's talk about it for a few pages.

How does he get along with Nathan MacKinnon and how much does Spittin' Chiclets know about it?

 

[Turin]

That’s a very old thing that went around, so I don’t remember where it came from. Must have come from somewhere tor it to be widespread enough for Malkin to address it. Either way, him playing for another NHL team randomly for a year or something is unforgivable

 

[Turin]

The opposite, actually. He seems far more content to live in South Florida.

That makes more sense to me too. I just swore he said he wanted to play for Magnitogorsk before retiring from hockey. But his situation has changed apparently

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think Malkin said something about Number 11 and playing a year in Russia (for Metallurg) many, many years and one shitshow of a war ago so yeah I figure he's Florida bound post-retirement. Or um... maybe pre-retirement who knows.

 

[Trade]

Yes. He said when he retires, it will be as a Penguin, and that he never said he'd play in Russia.

“I know what some people say — like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team. But I never say it, you know?

“I retire with Pittsburgh. The Penguins are my team. I love this team. When I retire it’s here.”

Evgeni Malkin won’t retire after this season, will play only for Penguins: ‘This is my only team’

Malkin dispelled rumors that said he'd forgo his final NHL season to return to his hometown team in Russia.

www.nytimes.com

Not exactly related, but I do remember reading Geno has thought about going back to his old international number 11 for his final season. Would honestly be pretty sweet.

 

[Pancakes]

Love how Brad Marchand is about to win Conn Smythe but Geno is washed.

Bet Geno would be dragging Edmontons sorry ass to a cup if he was playing for them right now

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Love how Brad Marchand is about to win Conn Smythe but Geno is washed.

Bet Geno would be dragging Edmontons sorry ass to a cup if he was playing for them right now

Despite what it might seem Malkin has been a favorite of mine since the start of his career.

I just have no idea how people are seeing what they are seeing other than the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia and favoritism. He was absolutely quite near "cooked" status at the end of last season. It sucks that it ended up this way but they are not all storybook endings, unfortunately.

I'm not even trying to be difficult, here. I just have no idea what people are on about. I certainly do not think he would be pushing any serious contender over the top. The intensity of a Cup run would probably kill him at this point haha

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Despite what it might seem Malkin has been a favorite of mine since the start of his career.

I just have no idea how people are seeing what they are seeing other than the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia and favoritism. He was absolutely quite near "cooked" status at the end of last season. It sucks that it ended up this way but they are not all storybook endings, unfortunately.

I'm not even trying to be difficult, here. I just have no idea what people are on about. I certainly do not think he would be pushing any serious contender over the top. The intensity of a Cup run would probably kill him at this point haha

I don't think he's completely cooked, but he's obviously slowing down, especially compared to Sid.

His overall speed is fine, but his agility took a huge hit with the knee surgeries. What was more concerning to me last year was his shot disappeared. His shooting percentage was his career norm, but the hardness and effectiveness of his shot dropped. And that meant he was taking fewer shots.

He could still be a good playmaker for a couple years. I'd have no problem signing him to a one year deal if he still wants to play. But he's definitely on the decline.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I don't think he's completely cooked, but he's obviously slowing down, especially compared to Sid.

His overall speed is fine, but his agility took a huge hit with the knee surgeries. What was more concerning to me last year was his shot disappeared. His shooting percentage was his career norm, but the hardness and effectiveness of his shot dropped. And that meant he was taking fewer shots.

He could still be a good playmaker for a couple years. I'd have no problem signing him to a one year deal if he still wants to play. But he's definitely on the decline.

I think he's BEEN on the decline. I think at this point he's a guy that is probably good for around 60ish games played next year for about 40ish points and past that you are talking a part time player worth about 30ish points. I don't see the value. You clearly aren't turning him into some kind of defensive specialist at this stage and as you pointed out his shot is toast so what use is he as a depth offensive player? A playmaking wing? We don't need a playmaking wing... most teams don't, really.

I don't care what they do with him I'm just saying that he's not even really a "good" player anymore. I hate that... I really do... but unless he's just putting on some kind of pathetic and elaborate front for no good reason that is what last season practically screamed at least from what I saw. I obviously hope my usual brand of cynicism is way off base but the guy is like 40 so what is more likely?

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I mean why do we care if he’s “cooked” or “almost cooked” or a “bad middle 6er” etc.

if we are trying to suck anyway that works for us. Who cares how good or bad he is.

The real argument is that it just doesn’t make sense to end a 20 year relationship poorly for the sake of getting arbitrarily younger.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I think he's BEEN on the decline. I think at this point he's a guy that is probably good for around 60ish games played next year for about 40ish points and past that you are talking a part time player worth about 30ish points. I don't see the value. You clearly aren't turning him into some kind of defensive specialist at this stage and as you pointed out his shot is toast so what use is he as a depth offensive player? A playmaking wing? We don't need a playmaking wing... most teams don't, really.

I don't care what they do with him I'm just saying that he's not even really a "good" player anymore. I hate that... I really do... but unless he's just putting on some kind of pathetic and elaborate front for no good reason that is what last season practically screamed at least from what I saw. I obviously hope my usual brand of cynicism is way off base but the guy is like 40 so what is more likely?

I think the one thing with Geno is that there have been years in the past where he's looked cooked, only to bounce back. The 2018-19 season was one where there were a lot of questions about his future. He ended up with 74 points in 59 games the next year.

Is that likely to be the case at 39? Probably not. But if he produces at a 60-point pace again, that's pretty damn good.

That said, most of the value with him is in the intangibles. Say what you want about his goofiness or sloppy defensive play, but all indicators are he's a great teammate. And he still does unexpected things on the ice with his creativity and fearlessness. That's good training ground for young players like McGroarty, Koivunen, and even Tomasino. Plus, he's bound to be a mentor in training camp for Murashov and Ilyin, who are both under contract now.

Finally, I don't think Malkin is going to be like Letang. I think the Pens are going to have to take a hard stance on Letang at some point, because he doesn't have the self-awareness to understand whether he's playing well or not. Malkin does. He won't drag this out. If he can't play to his standard, he's done. I think you give him that opportunity to make the call himself.

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

All of this is going to be moot when he ends up retiring anyways. There’s no indication that he absolutely wants to play beyond this year besides Yohe’s very intentional “it’s unsure if Malkin will play beyond next year but it won’t be with the Penguins” wording.

 

[Pancakes]

Despite what it might seem Malkin has been a favorite of mine since the start of his career.

I just have no idea how people are seeing what they are seeing other than the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia and favoritism. He was absolutely quite near "cooked" status at the end of last season. It sucks that it ended up this way but they are not all storybook endings, unfortunately.

I'm not even trying to be difficult, here. I just have no idea what people are on about. I certainly do not think he would be pushing any serious contender over the top. The intensity of a Cup run would probably kill him at this point haha

Brad Marchand put up like the same point pace as Geno this year and got more PP time to boot.

Malkin has obviously declined but to imply he's cooked is silly. Cooked is late career Jeff Carter. Malkin is leaps and bounds better than that. Or do you think Brad Marchand is cooked? Because Geno put up similar point totals despite getting nearly a minute less of pp ice time per game than Marchand did. If Marchand can find another gear for playoff hockey I wouldn't be shocked that Geno also could.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Man I dunno. Those all sounds like the platitudes given to players barely hanging on by a thread in this league. I don't think Malkin really seems like the "take these guys under my wing" type but I've been surprised before so who knows.

I mean why do we care if he’s “cooked” or “almost cooked” or a “bad middle 6er” etc.

if we are trying to suck anyway that works for us. Who cares how good or bad he is.

The real argument is that it just doesn’t make sense to end a 20 year relationship poorly for the sake of getting arbitrarily younger.

Yeah upon reflection the disrespect really just isn't worth a piddly second round pick or whatever. And besides as has been pointed out he's at the point where he's actively contributing to the suck so he's more valuable here.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Yeah, I kinda think he just retires after this season tbh.

He's declining rapidly, team's cooked and looking at a bottom 5 finish if/when they remove Rust, Rakell and EK. Kinda pointless to keep it going beyond the Sid bromance.

I feel kinda disappointed in myself for even thinking about the premise or anything like that since it all stems from a f***ing Yohe article. We should know better. That guys a f***ing goof.

 

[Zbynek]

Idk showing Malkin is 52nd percentile offensive, 4th percentile defensive, 64th percentile on the PP and 53rd percentile finishing doesn’t seem like all that good of a player? Like he’s not shot but he’s a middle-6 caliber player that should be playing wing at this point.

This place gets super touchy about Malkin and I don’t get it. He’s a franchise legend, but he has taken a pretty massive step back into just an okay 2nd line caliber guy and he’s only going to get worse. It seems like some people interpret acknowledging that reality as “scapegoating” Malkin.

It's okay man, you're allowed to be a fan of this team even when the fancy chart doesn't show the right thing.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Brad Marchand put up like the same point pace as Geno this year and got more PP time to boot.

Malkin has obviously declined but to imply he's cooked is silly. Cooked is late career Jeff Carter. Malkin is leaps and bounds better than that. Or do you think Brad Marchand is cooked? Because Geno put up similar point totals despite getting nearly a minute less of pp ice time per game than Marchand did. If Marchand can find another gear for playoff hockey I wouldn't be shocked that Geno also could.

Marchand is like two years younger and has less hard miles. I don't think it's a fair comparison.

But yes I would be super shocked if Malkin had a resurgent season then went on to put up a near PPG in a deep playoff run.

Doesn't matter regardless... but man people sure don't like talking about this for whatever reason. Guys like Crosby and Ovechkin are the exception for the most part. Most guys just go the route of Malkin. Is what it is etc.