Confirmed with Link: Malkin re-signs to a 4 year, $6.1 million AAV deal (Eklund called it, start singing his praises)

[Extra Texture]

Thank God.

Was going to be straight up wrong seeing him anywhere else.

And there’s room for a free agent tomorrow.

If we can move Petts, we're looking at 8M.

If we can move Zucker and Petts (longest of long shots, I know) then look out. The RFA buffet has got me intrigued this year. Kubalik, Strome, Milano. But I know we'll probably sign Max Domi on a two-year "show me" deal or something.

 

[Ryder71]

We just need to make a trade this morning, I really want one of the three ufas I mentioned, any of them would do. And any of them (at least in theory), would make us a better and deeper team from last year. I just hope we can get that done.

 

[DanielMarois]

NHL is a hard league to win in. 2008 was a long time ago but you surely remember that much.

Yes, I remember. A Red Wings team whose core was drafted outside the first round beat a team full of top 3 picks lol

 

[IcedCapp]

Yes, I remember. A Red Wings team whose core was drafted outside the first round beat a team full of top 3 picks lol

And we can still afford all of those players because they live rent free in your head.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Yes, I remember. A Red Wings team whose core was drafted outside the first round beat a team full of top 3 picks lol

Oh Danny your full of the lol giggles tonite.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I was gonna just flip things off for a few days but I cheated and popped in here before bed because I couldn't help myself. Pretty cool news to see. I was fully prepared to be let down not just if he ended up in a different uniform but especially if he chased the money somewhere else. But of course he's always ever only said he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh with his buddies.

Also of course leave it to Crosby for a little last second heroics.

I wish I could say I wasn't at all surprised and played the whole thing cool but I'm quite sure I didn't at all and absolutely thought there was a better chance than not he was gone. Glad to be wrong, as is usually the case.

I know a lot of it is sentiment on my part and you might be able to squeeze out a better team if you threaded the needle in FA but I dunno... I was still never completely sold on that idea. I'm fine with them casting the dice on what little chance they might have to do much of anything with these guys because they really have given a ton. Call it corny if you want.

And holy shit to get Malkin and Letang to sign for a combined 12.2M is kinda ridiculous. It's not ALL sentiment, guys. These two are still great players. So nice job by the front office and Hextall even if it gave us all some palps.

 

[DanielMarois]

And we can still afford all of those players because they live rent free in your head.

I thought they were living in an old folks home lol

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

No more Eeyore BlindWilly. Rejoice!

Oh lol... no... no sir that's not how that works.

 

[HandshakeLine]

The heartattack kids live to attack hearts.

Someone get me some baby asprin.

 

[SomeDude]

Crosby only gets involved in contract negotiations when it's a franchise player like Evgeni Malkin....or Brooks Orpik.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Oh lol... no... no sir that's not how that works.

Gave it my best shot.

 

[Turin]

Yes, I remember. A Red Wings team whose core was drafted outside the first round beat a team full of top 3 picks lol

Yea.. real grass roots org. Free agency never helped em. I guess Pittsburgh should be fine delaying the rebuild since you can just do the wholesome draft stars by accident in the late rounds strategy

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Crosby only gets involved in contract negotiations when it's a franchise player like Evgeni Malkin....or Brooks Orpik.

That's a weird spelling of Stanley Cup Winner Jack Johnson at the end there. What's that, like, German or something?

 

[SomeDude]

Oh lol... no... no sir that's not how that works.

 

[Extra Texture]

I think I'm gonna celebrate by finally ordering one of these babies.

So Letang and Malkin had a combined 16.75 in cap hit and now it's turned into 12.1 in cap hit. In other words we saved 4.65 in cap hit or 0.93 Rickard Rakells.

Glad Geno is back and glad Hextall is clearing cap space.

Now that he's signed and the drama is over, that is a fact that needs reflection. Tanger's number was expected to be 8ish+. I figured Geno wouldnt be getting no less than 7. To see both of them for a combined 12ish is phenomenal.

Like you said, the savings alone pays for Rackell. Now, if Hextall manages to be working with 8m in space tomorrow at noon, we can get some damn good depth to go along with it.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

 

[HandshakeLine]

One would hope that POJ getting signed for 825K means that Petersson is gone.

 

[Power Surge]

Just woke up from a nap. What did I miss??

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

He's getting that statue now.

Yeah his signing bonus should definitely buy him a few more of these:

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

Earlier this year and last year a lot of people expected Malkin to be around 8M. Even with the knee injury. I remember when Rossi of all people floated that he would be willing to consider 6.7M, a lot of people on here laughed. If you had said we would get Malkin and Letang for 6.1 AAV I would have said you're full of shit. So it's a great deal, even if there is lengthy term there. I thought 6.1M for Malkin was too low.

I lot can happen in 4-6 years. I don't think the Pens will fall off a cliff when Crosby and the rest retire, but it will be challenging. That's ok. I'd rather us go for it for 2-3 more years and see what happens. We know there will be a letdown, it never made sense to me to start it now instead of in three years.

 

[SomeDude]

Yeah his signing bonus should definitely buy him a few more of these:

Man, Gonchar has really let himself go.

 

[Ginormousthumbs]

Hope the Caps go after Erod. For revenge.

 

[SomeDude]

Hope the Caps go after Erod. For revenge.

They signed Orpik, Schultz, Hagelin, Sheary, traded for Sprong. I can't wait to see them sign the complete shut down line of ZAR-ERod-Simon.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Good. Now Hextall just needs to jettison Pettersson/Zucker and use that money to sign Geno's other winger.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Good. Now Hextall just needs to jettison Pettersson/Zucker and use that money to sign Geno's other winger.

I don't think E-Rod or ZAR will be that expensive, tbh.