As expected the Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed Evgeni
Malkin to a five-year contract extension, which will commence for the 2009-10
season following the completion of the final year of his current entry level
contract.
No official word yet on the financial terms but it’s
believed to be in the neighborhood of $8.5 million per season .
So much for the baseless speculation in recent weeks that
Malkin didn’t want to play second fiddle to Sidney Crosby or wanted as much
money as Alexander Ovechkin.
I realize some folks believe the Penguins should’ve focused on
re-signing wingers Marian Hossa and Ryan Malone and shopped Malkin but let’s
face it, when you’ve got two of the top young centers in the game and have the
opportunity to re-sign them, you do it.
The Penguins are expected to open contract extension talks
with another young center, Jordan Staal, later this month.
A lack of scoring wingers is still a problem for Penguins
management but that’s something that can be potentially resolved in the coming
days or weeks, albeit with more affordable acquisitions.
This move potentially ties up over $17 million in cap space
for the Penguins starting in 2009-10, but given the ownership’s new willingness
to keep pace with the cap and absorb losses over the next two seasons whilst
awaiting the construction of their new arena, that might not be as problematic
as it appears.
GRRRRR: Rangers signed Redden to $6+ million a year for the next 6 years, and here is Malkin signing at $8.5 for the next 5 years.
Good for the Penguins. This signing makes you wonder why the hell we're paying 5 million dollars for a 2nd tier defenseman, and 5 million for 20 goal scorers.
As much fun as July 1st is, you have to wonder when the (most) of the owners are going to come to their senses and realize that they are the main contributer to escalating salaries and ticket prices.
Even though they lost out in the Hossa sweepstakes, this off-season has to be considered a success for the Penguins. Shero did not give into the pressure of overpaying for Ryan Malone, and they've signed one of the best players in the world for 5 years at well under market value. The Pens should be set down the middle for years to come.
Moseby there is no whay the penguins are going to move malkin to the wing. He is just to good not to be playing a center position. I feel bad for you Ranger fans even though I have a very strong dislike for you and your team. You are paying top notch money for a defender who is coming into the tail end of his career and like messier94 said he is not a top notch player.
Hopefully the penguins add at least a decent winger this offseason even if its only for a year or 2 (I hate to say it but Jagr would be a great deal for the penguins). Because right now the Crosby line is him Dupuis and Talbot. Dupuis can play that fast but needs to get a better shot and be more aware. Talbot can mesh with anyone anywhere he has the talent and drive to be on that line but he would be better on that line if crosby had a better go to guy and he could do the dirty work.
You may have lost the "bidding" war for Hossa this year, but consider the contract he signed with Detroit...1 year.
Hossa seemed to enjoy his time with Crosby/Malkin et. al. and it wouldn't surprise me if he seriously considers returning after next season. I'm no prognositcator, but if he manages to win the cup with the NOW team (in his thinking) why not come back to the FUTURE team to attempt to win a few more.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
