So we would replace him with who? Plus tbh we still have 10 million in cap space with a 2nd line center and a 3rd line RW to sign (which is Kapanen). We don't necessarily need another 4 million unless they move someone like Zucker (or buy him out) which would save cap space. That seems like a bad rumor to me unless we were trading Marino for a 2nd line center. Then we would still need 2 pieces for the roster.
- 123Kid

Well rumor is Hex was talking to MTL about Petry so I’m sure he’s got a plan

So is EK officially a tabloid now? Saying the Pens would bring Kessel back in order to get Geno back? lol
- Rinosaur

More believable if you replace James Neal with Kessel...

If Marino is gone it's not for cap space as we will have to replace him with someone. If he goes there is either a RD coming back to us or Hextall wants Manson or Klingberg.

Possibly doesn’t want 2 offensive minded dmen on the 1st pairing. You know no one is touching Matheson. Pairings could be dumo-letang, Pettersson-Matheson.
- drummer829

I don't know about that anymore, he was very good last season. I'd actually like to keep him now. Besides Letang and Marino he's probably the D-man I'd like to keep the most. I think he's better than Marino but Marino is the righty and therefore ahead him on the which-dmen-I'd-prefer-not-to-lose list haha

If Marino is gone it's not for cap space as we will have to replace him with someone. If he goes there is either a RD coming back to us or Hextall wants Manson or Klingberg.
- MacPatty

It may give credence to why DK was reporting the Pens have interest in Petry.

Gonna be tough to watch Geno play for another team.

This negotiation has been weird from the get go. Tough to tell which side is doing what with the rumors surrounding it. Seems like Geno changed his mind about how many more years he wanted to play and it went downhill from there.

Perhaps the team knows something about Geno's health that really has them on the fence about that 4th year?

Most, (perhaps rightfully so) don't care about the 4th year cause the team will be crap, but I can't see a GM who wants to keep his job conceding that to new ownership.

It may give credence to why DK was reporting the Pens have interest in Petry.
- Rinosaur

Thats what I am thinking. Just weird hearing that they are looking at trading him because no one will take Pettersson.

This smells more like FSG than Hextall to me. Weren’t you guys boasting about their tough negotiations with soccer and baseball players?

Gonna be tough to watch Geno play for another team.

This negotiation has been weird from the get go. Tough to tell which side is doing what with the rumors surrounding it. Seems like Geno changed his mind about how many more years he wanted to play and it went downhill from there.

Perhaps the team knows something about Geno's health that really has them on the fence about that 4th year?

Most, (perhaps rightfully so) don't care about the 4th year cause the team will be crap, but I can't see a GM who wants to keep his job conceding that to new ownership.
- Thorny87

There was an article I read the other day from an interview with Tyler Kennedy of how the belief is Malkin has 2 more good years left. So I think a 3-4 year contract was fair. I do agree with you about it being tough seeing him on another team.

Well rumor is Hex was talking to MTL about Petry so I’m sure he’s got a plan
- Feds91Stammer

This smells more like FSG than Hextall to me. Weren’t you guys boasting about their tough negotiations with soccer and baseball players?
- Grinder47

(frank) man I know you’re a little slow and all but maybe just log off until training camp.

With all this back and forth between all the misinformation about Malkin's contract. My personal belief is it may be 1 of 3 things.

1.)Either Hextall and the Penguins really didn't want him back.. Whether it is a personality conflict with Sullivan, or they want a 2 way player, or just have a better fit at the position in mind. Whatever the reason they didn't want him back and they played this game to the media how they wanted him back and talked him up, but Malkin was never in the plans and they lowballed offers etc. to get him to move on and not look like the bad guy.

OR

2.)Malkin has his own agenda and never really wanted to sign with Pittsburgh. Maybe it is money related, maybe it is family related, or heck maybe he just wants to play with his buddy Ovie for Washington. Whatever the case is he may have asked for a 3 year deal when they gave him 3 he wanted 4. When they gave him 4 he wanted 7 instead of 6 million. Just so he wouldn't be the bad guy.

OR

3.)Media is blowing it out of proportion and after discussions both parties feel it is best for Malkin to test free agency and weigh his options for whatever is best for him and his family. The Penguins provided an offer which they felt was competitive and Malkin has the right to come back and let them know if he wants to resign within a reasonable timeframe.


I believe the 3rd option is the most likely option.

With all this back and forth between all the misinformation about Malkin's contract. My personal belief is it may be 1 of 3 things.

1.)Either Hextall and the Penguins really didn't want him back.. Whether it is a personality conflict with Sullivan, or they want a 2 way player, or just have a better fit at the position in mind. Whatever the reason they didn't want him back and they played this game to the media how they wanted him back and talked him up, but Malkin was never in the plans and they lowballed offers etc. to get him to move on and not look like the bad guy.

OR

2.)Malkin has his own agenda and never really wanted to sign with Pittsburgh. Maybe it is money related, maybe it is family related, or heck maybe he just wants to play with his buddy Ovie for Washington. Whatever the case is he may have asked for a 3 year deal when they gave him 3 he wanted 4. When they gave him 4 he wanted 7 instead of 6 million. Just so he wouldn't be the bad guy.

OR

3.)Media is blowing it out of proportion and after discussions both parties feel it is best for Malkin to test free agency and weigh his options for whatever is best for him and his family. The Penguins provided an offer which they felt was competitive and Malkin has the right to come back and let them know if he wants to resign within a reasonable timeframe.


I believe the 3rd option is the most likely option.
- 123Kid

I’ll go with option 3 also. Media definitely running with this. Also hope he comes back to Pens and gives them a chance to match any offer he deems better than what they have on the table.

(frank) man I know you’re a little slow and all but maybe just log off until training camp.
- Feds91Stammer

So FSG wants to sign Malkin at all costs and is letting one of their employees block the deal just because?

Yohe saying Crosby has been vocal about Malkin being resigned. Thinks he will have a say in what happens since Malkin and Hextall both know how Sid feels about it.

So FSG wants to sign Malkin at all costs and is letting one of their employees block the deal just because?
- Grinder47

Like I said. Just log off.

Yohe saying Crosby has been vocal about Malkin being resigned. Thinks he will have a say in what happens since Malkin and Hextall both know how Sid feels about it.
- SuperHenderson13

Just read it, sounds like he’s getting involved. Hopefully they all circle back before noon tomorrow.

FWIW....Defabo said on the Fan that Geno was offered 6.1 x 4 a week ago. If true, that's a fair offer IMO.

Yohe saying Crosby has been vocal about Malkin being resigned. Thinks he will have a say in what happens since Malkin and Hextall both know how Sid feels about it.
- SuperHenderson13

Because Crosby wants to win and their best chance of winning is Malkin being resigned. There’s no other center that will replace his production unless you pay more in free agency or make a big trade, which would cost a roster player most likely

FWIW....Defabo said on the Fan that Geno was offered 6.1 x 4 a week ago. If true, that's a fair offer IMO.
- madmike71

Fair to you.

FWIW....Defabo said on the Fan that Geno was offered 6.1 x 4 a week ago. If true, that's a fair offer IMO.
- madmike71

It is. If that is true. I suppose we really have no way of knowing. Im not a malkin hater. the exact opposite. But if that was truly on the table and not accepted I'm willing to put some of the blame on him for this falling apart.

The weird line that sports fans cross in these type of situations is thinking they know everything that went on behind closed doors, and thinking they know what decisions human being should make for themselves because they're famous and wealthy.

It's just always so weird to me. Who is anyone to say what Malkin should do or not do? What is fair for him or not fair for him? Yeah, he said he'd take less. He never said how much.

Fair to you.
- Rinosaur

That's correct. I wouldn't sign him for 6 years either. Anything after year 4 is paying him for past glory.

That's correct. I wouldn't sign him for 6 years either. Anything after year 4 is paying him for past glory.
- madmike71

Anything more than 2 years is past glory

The weird line that sports fans cross in these type of situations is thinking they know everything that went on behind closed doors, and thinking they know what decisions human being should make for themselves because they're famous and wealthy.

It's just always so weird to me. Who is anyone to say what Malkin should do or not do? What is fair for him or not fair for him? Yeah, he said he'd take less. He never said how much.
- Rinosaur

So the pens are supposed to bend to what Geno deams fair to him? 6x4 is a really logical and reasonable offer. Maybe he just wants to leave? Maybe he’s worried about the biggest pay check possible. The Pens and Geno owe nothing to each other, but it’s not the Pens fault if he doesn’t want to play in Pittsburgh.