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Evgeni Malkin getting a home game + Auston Matthews |
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Today in 31 thoughts there were two Penguins notes.
The first note is more or less interesting trivia.
22. One of the fourth-round picks that Florida acquired from Pittsburgh in the Bjugstad/McCann/Brassard trade is the Mike Sillinger of draft selections. Originally, it was Minnesota’s, traded to Arizona in February 2017 for Martin Hanzal. Ten months later, it was Pittsburgh’s, as Michael Leighton was sent to the Penguins, with Josh Archibald headed west. Now it belongs the Panthers — the fourth team to own it.
Now the second one is really interesting. Will Evgeni Malkin get to don the Penguins crest in his home country?
24. Alluded to this last week, but the NHL is indeed investigating a game in Russia as a possibility for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just not sure of all the hurdles.
I think it would mean a lot to Evgeni Malkin to do this and for that reason alone I want it to happen. He’s given so much to the franchise he deserves things like this. However, it is going to be interesting to see how things shake out between the United States and Russia in the coming months. It’s impossible to separate politics from sports in this case.
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Auston Matthews signed a five-year extension today that will pay him 11.6M per year.
Auston Matthews has done a great job in owning his career path. Going overseas and not NCAA/CHL was great move. Not gunning for an eight-year deal gives him ownership of his destination during prime years. If Toronto falls off he can get out. His value isn't going to drop He doesn't need term security. If anything he’s going to make more money and do it where he wants to. This was a no brainer for Matthews. And if Kyle Dubas is doing a good job Matthews isn’t going to want to leave Toronto.
Connor McDavid should have done the same thing. I don’t know why he felt like he had to take eight years in Edmonton way below his market value.
Thanks for reading!
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