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The Penguins have done it now, Evgeni Malkin to test free agency |
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Well, it is official. The Penguins have pissed off Evgeni Malkin to the point where he is going to test free agency.
Not a great development here.
What we have now is a game of chicken, assuming Malkin hasn’t blacklisted the only franchise he’s known. By going to the open market Malkin can use the leverage of other teams making him real offers to get what he wants from the Penguins. This is of course if he is still amenable to the Penguins after being third on the priority list after Letang and Rust. Malkin should be upset and likely is.
We are talking about a Mt. Rushmore player with the franchise. We are talking about a player still playing at a better level than the replacement options. He has been nothing other than outstanding his entire career and that includes coming off of a knee surgery with minimal rehab just last year.
There aren’t going to be more cost-effective options. There are a good number of people who take for granted what Malkin has done for this team over the years. There’s a larger amount who are rightfully going to be pissed if he walks because they did understand.
The Penguins are playing with fire here. There shouldn't have been any fire involved. There are no guarantees in unrestricted free agency. Whatever backup plans they might have could go poof before they even have a chance. If they do land their backup plan what are the odds it comes in at 6M or less and the player is able to play like Evgeni Malkin? I don’t like those odds.
They likely could have had both Malkin and Letang locked up at ~12M. A laughable proposition a month ago. Now?
You thought the Jack Johnson signing was a self-inflicted wound? Wait until you see Malkin in a Capitals jersey.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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