Ryan Wilson: Just give Evgeni Malkin the fourth year and be done with it Just give Evgeni Malkin the fourth year and be done with it

I'm sure this will bring in some hot takes.

5 years 4 million per.

Look, Malkin has been a legend in Pittsburgh for a long time. He has incredible offensive gifts and is a dynamic game changing player. What Ryan Wilson fails to address with Malkin though, is how incredibly lazy, inconsistent and defensively irresponsible he is. Yes he is a point per game player. But how many of these points came on the powerplay? 5 on 5, there have been so many games where he just doesnt show up. How many shorthanded goals on the powerplay were given up because Malkin made some stupid pass or did not get back and cover defensively when he is one of the point guys? Literally so many times I've lost count. How many games last year did Malkin play and you wonder where he is? Lots. Yes he can put the puck in the net, but points dont tell the full story with Malkin. His play has numerously hurt the team with his lack of effort.

Look, Malkin has been a legend in Pittsburgh for a long time. He has incredible offensive gifts and is a dynamic game changing player. What Ryan Wilson fails to address with Malkin though, is how incredibly lazy, inconsistent and defensively irresponsible he is. Yes he is a point per game player. But how many of these points came on the powerplay? 5 on 5, there have been so many games where he just doesnt show up. How many shorthanded goals on the powerplay were given up because Malkin made some stupid pass or did not get back and cover defensively when he is one of the point guys? Literally so many times I've lost count. How many games last year did Malkin play and you wonder where he is? Lots. Yes he can put the puck in the net, but points dont tell the full story with Malkin. His play has numerously hurt the team with his lack of effort.
- cc1244987

Worst management decision making, petty, frustrating as hell, and mostly stupid of Hextall, Burke to drag it on and alienate a future hall of fame player by dragging him thru the mud.
If you do not want him, say it and go in a different direction.

On Sirius XM this morning there was a discussion about Malkin's contract with Dennis Bernstein and Dave Pagnotta. They noted two issues. The first is Geno's durability. The Pens apparently want thresholds in the contract whereby Malkin is paid bonuses once he reaches a certain number of games - perhaps one bonus at 40 games played and then another at 60 games played. There may be some resistance to that from Malkin's camp.

The second issue involves guaranteed money in a four-year 35+ contract, and how it will impact the Pens if Malkin doesn't play out his contract. Malkin and his agent apparently want a lot of the money up front and guaranteed; the Pens are resisting that because they're not sure that Malkin will finish out the contract, and might prefer that Malkin be paid the AAV for each of the four years. The Pens did not have that concern for Letang, given his level of off-season conditioning and general durability.

Neither Bernstein nor Pagnotta thought that four years would be a problem for the Pens. (Pagnotta, by the way, is apparently pretty good friends with Letang, so his insight might be pretty reliable.)

Just passing along what I heard, and not making any judgment call on it one way or the other.

Warts and all, Malkin needs to be signed. The team doesn't have a great shot at replacing him unless they want to spend a lot more AND they can outbid other teams. They need him and he needs them. I don't think he will get a huge offer someplace else for a competitive team, not worth picking up his life and moving. If a fourth year is what it takes then fine but he should come down a little in salary and add a limited NMC for that last year like Letting did. Four years, $6M per, 10 team list in year four.

Look, Malkin has been a legend in Pittsburgh for a long time. He has incredible offensive gifts and is a dynamic game changing player. What Ryan Wilson fails to address with Malkin though, is how incredibly lazy, inconsistent and defensively irresponsible he is. Yes he is a point per game player. But how many of these points came on the powerplay? 5 on 5, there have been so many games where he just doesnt show up. How many shorthanded goals on the powerplay were given up because Malkin made some stupid pass or did not get back and cover defensively when he is one of the point guys? Literally so many times I've lost count. How many games last year did Malkin play and you wonder where he is? Lots. Yes he can put the puck in the net, but points dont tell the full story with Malkin. His play has numerously hurt the team with his lack of effort.
- cc1244987

Hot take number 1.

Life long pens fan here. I wish they would give him the respect he deserves and thank him for his time. Honor him and let him know we are just going in a different direction. Geno has been a wonderful player and person in the community for the city of Pittsburgh. The bottom line is that he does have a negative effect on the teams play. Like a pervious person wrote. He is not responsible defensively, takes in opportune penalties, and doesn’t bring it every night every shift like 87 and 58. This isn’t about a 1:1 player comparison. It’s about building a team.

Life long pens fan here. I wish they would give him the respect he deserves and thank him for his time. Honor him and let him know we are just going in a different direction. Geno has been a wonderful player and person in the community for the city of Pittsburgh. The bottom line is that he does have a negative effect on the teams play. Like a pervious person wrote. He is not responsible defensively, takes in opportune penalties, and doesn’t bring it every night every shift like 87 and 58. This isn’t about a 1:1 player comparison. It’s about building a team.
- HLP

Hot take number 2.

For those who want Malkin to walk, who replaces him? Kadri, Trocheck, Strome? All 3 could realistically get 6+ mil and who plays on their wing? You think Kadri can put up 80+ points with Zucker and Heinen?

Then, Malkin goes on and signs with the Hurricanes or Panthers and suddenly those teams got even better. I understand the risk of signing Malkin, but like I’ve said before, if Hextall doesn’t have a solid Plan B in place, then Malkin needs to be signed.

For those who want Malkin to walk, who replaces him? Kadri, Trocheck, Strome? All 3 could realistically get 6+ mil and who plays on their wing? You think Kadri can put up 80+ points with Zucker and Heinen?

Then, Malkin goes on and signs with the Hurricanes or Panthers and suddenly those teams got even better. I understand the risk of signing Malkin, but like I’ve said before, if Hextall doesn’t have a solid Plan B in place, then Malkin needs to be signed.
- drummer829

Wasnt Kadri on Rantanens line?

To be fair neither of those guys would do any better with Malkins linemates he had. Could argue youd get more games played and longevity out of them.

I think everyone assumed Malkin would be looking at 8+ along with Letang. Letangs deal opens some doors. The Pens need a 2C in the 6 range so they can get support.

You wont replace Malkin but you could replace the 2nd lines production if you play it right.

If the rumor is true 6x4 and front loaded....seems like a no brainer to me. He can go on LTIR or retire due to forced conscription if he needs to.

Let's be honest if Malkin wants 6 million you give it to him. If he wants 4-5 years also give it to him. I said it in the past, but maybe see if we can convert him to winger and prolong his career a little bit. He has a heck of a shot. Plus we are already paying Zucker 5.5 million, yet people don't want to give Malkin 6? Attach a pick and trade Zucker. Sign Malkin to 6 million. Trade Pettersson and Kap as well. Then we would have 18 million to sign 2nd line players and resign POJ and Heinen.

Wasnt Kadri on Rantanens line?

To be fair neither of those guys would do any better with Malkins linemates he had. Could argue youd get more games played and longevity out of them.

I think everyone assumed Malkin would be looking at 8+ along with Letang. Letangs deal opens some doors. The Pens need a 2C in the 6 range so they can get support.

You wont replace Malkin but you could replace the 2nd lines production if you play it right.

If the rumor is true 6x4 and front loaded....seems like a no brainer to me. He can go on LTIR or retire due to forced conscription if he needs to.
- sammy87

Nobody except you thought Geno was looking for 8m.

5 years 4 million per.
- Grinder47

Life long pens fan here. I wish they would give him the respect he deserves and thank him for his time. Honor him and let him know we are just going in a different direction. Geno has been a wonderful player and person in the community for the city of Pittsburgh. The bottom line is that he does have a negative effect on the teams play. Like a pervious person wrote. He is not responsible defensively, takes in opportune penalties, and doesn’t bring it every night every shift like 87 and 58. This isn’t about a 1:1 player comparison. It’s about building a team.
- HLP

I just cant understand what all the anti-Malkin vibe is about here in town. Reporter after reporter goes on air and talks about how Malkin is fading and how he isnt worth a 4th year. "I wouldn't give him a 4th year" says one. " The Penguins would be nuts to give him a 4th year at this age" says another.
Fans then predictably call and agree with the talking head....
Do they not realize this man tried to play through a torn ACL in 2021 and was coming off a major knee surgery during a pandemic last year? After having a full offseason to properly train and strengthen, I expect a bounce back year.
Do these people really think there is a better option out there ?
You'll pay more for someone like Gaudreau or Kadri. Anyone else (such as Trochek) would be a step down from Malkin--even at his age. Makes me wonder if Hextall's inner Flyer is coming through

I think that’s why he was slow playing 71. To see what others will sign for then circle back around if he needed to. Dirty and what would make Geno feel like he’s option B.

- Feds91Stammer

Curious, why the laugh?

Because your take sucks and is laughable

Over the last four seasons his goals per game rate is .24 or 20G a year, his points per game is .60 or 50 points. Mind you, this is all dragged down by one slightly off-season. Most of his points come at 5v5. He's also shown to bring physical element this team has been missing. He's done all this on a poop ANA team.

What is about him that is meh to you?
- Rinosaur

Cool, so basically Zucker.

Whatever you all overrate him. I'd take him back at the right price, but go to free agency and try to do better first.

Curious, why the laugh?
- HLP

Because your post is laughable.

Curious, why the laugh?
- HLP

If you can't figure that out nothing can help you.

Cool, so basically Zucker.

Whatever you all overrate him. I'd take him back at the right price, but go to free agency and try to do better first.
- Tojo.

Your top choice is a 1 year wonder with inflated numbers from playing on the top team in the league so...