Ryan Wilson: Latest updates on Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang aren't great Latest updates on Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang aren't great

What about Erod and Heinen?! they were positive UFA signings haha

Penguins seem hell bent on throwing any chance we have out the window over a few million bucks.

Letang could easily be an effective player for the next 5 years. And correct me if I'm wrong, if a guy signs a contract over 35 and it isnt front loaded, the team doesnt get stuck with the cap hit post retirement, right? I had always thought the team got the cap hit regardless of the structure, but i read that wasnt the case.

You have owners with billions of dollars. Letting your only hope at a top defenseman walk over simple matters is just poor management.

Im not optimistic like I was earlier in the offseason. Someone is making this process a lot harder than it should have been, hell this should have been settled last offseason.

Without Letang/Malkin, the Penguins are a playoff bubble team. People seem to be more okay with finishing average than they do with a first round dumb luck exit.

Penguins seem hell bent on throwing any chance we have out the window over a few million bucks.

Letang could easily be an effective player for the next 5 years. And correct me if I'm wrong, if a guy signs a contract over 35 and it isnt front loaded, the team doesnt get stuck with the cap hit post retirement, right? I had always thought the team got the cap hit regardless of the structure, but i read that wasnt the case.

You have owners with billions of dollars. Letting your only hope at a top defenseman walk over simple matters is just poor management.

Im not optimistic like I was earlier in the offseason. Someone is making this process a lot harder than it should have been, hell this should have been settled last offseason.

Without Letang/Malkin, the Penguins are a playoff bubble team. People seem to be more okay with finishing average than they do with a first round dumb luck exit.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah, thats basically what I said in the last comments. This shouldn't of taken this long and thats what leads me to believe they're both gone.

With regards to the over 35 contracts I always thought what you did too but a few around here have educated me further on the matter. If it isn't front loaded the team isnt on the hook for cap if the player retires.

Welcome to Hextall’s world

If my memory is correct, I thought it was reported that in Hextalls written report to FSG on his “plan”, retaining Letang and Geno were at the top, which was a main reason why they kept him on. If he isn’t able to retain one or both, I wonder how that impacts his standing with new ownership.

If my memory is correct, I thought it was reported that in Hextalls written report to FSG on his “plan”, retaining Letang and Geno were at the top, which was a main reason why they kept him on. If he isn’t able to retain one or both, I wonder how that impacts his standing with new ownership.
- kfinl170

I get the sense the Penguins want both a large amount of cap room and both Letang/Malkin signed before free agency starts. Having a lot of cap room would be nice, but not at the expense of your core being split up.

They have avenues to cross - you have assets like Zucker, Dumo, etc. that can be traded if they are so obsessed with cap room.

What about Erod and Heinen?! they were positive UFA signings haha
- MattStrat

That and how is talking about previous Pens GM's FA signings relevant to Hextall's history or lack there of?

What happens here when Malkin takes Backstrom's spot and centers Ovechkin next year?

Don't throw too many beer cans at me for this, but - worst case scenario - would you consider a year of Jonathan Toews at 50% retained? He would obviously have to waive, but some of what we are seeing says that he's not all that excited about staying in CHI. He ended the year playing much better (and producing more) and thus far his health has been improving from the year he took off.

Just throwing some crap at the wall...

Cheers.

If my memory is correct, I thought it was reported that in Hextalls written report to FSG on his “plan”, retaining Letang and Geno were at the top, which was a main reason why they kept him on. If he isn’t able to retain one or both, I wonder how that impacts his standing with new ownership.
- kfinl170

Honestly, if I remember correctly Hextall reported that was his plan. It may have just been a statement to the press to keep his plans closer to the vest. Also from inside reports they are quite happy with Hextall in his role.

"Getting Malkin to re-sign should have been the layup this offseason. Just sign him"

RW well, before you say "Just sign him"shouldn't we know what Malkin is asking for? I said I hope they go no more than three years on him and four, at the most, with Letang. If each are demanding a five year contract, then IMO you have to say no.

"Getting Malkin to re-sign should have been the layup this offseason. Just sign him"

RW well, before you say "Just sign him"shouldn't we know what Malkin is asking for? I said I hope they go no more than three years on him and four, at the most, with Letang. If each are demanding a five year contract, then IMO you have to say no.
- stevens87

Unlikely the Pens will be competitive in years 4-5, so I'd rather see 2 of my favorite players retire a Penguin, appreciate what they did for the team, and ride off into the sunset only playing for the Pens. Rebuilds aren't easy so I'd rather enjoy what the Pens have until they retire.

Toews at 50 percent? If Malkin walks and toews cost the pens a nominal asset. Sure.

Malkin to Caps. E666

Penguins seem hell bent on throwing any chance we have out the window over a few million bucks.

Letang could easily be an effective player for the next 5 years. And correct me if I'm wrong, if a guy signs a contract over 35 and it isnt front loaded, the team doesnt get stuck with the cap hit post retirement, right? I had always thought the team got the cap hit regardless of the structure, but i read that wasnt the case.

You have owners with billions of dollars. Letting your only hope at a top defenseman walk over simple matters is just poor management.

Im not optimistic like I was earlier in the offseason. Someone is making this process a lot harder than it should have been, hell this should have been settled last offseason.

Without Letang/Malkin, the Penguins are a playoff bubble team. People seem to be more okay with finishing average than they do with a first round dumb luck exit.
- SuperHenderson13

With Letang/Malkin Pens are a bubble playoff team.

Toews at 50 percent? If Malkin walks and toews cost the pens a nominal asset. Sure.
- ChrisMS

Not sure how an expensive 3c helps.

Not sure how an expensive 3c helps.
- Feds91Stammer

I’d take him over carter if it was only 1 year at 5 or so

Picking and choosing Ry? There was also a report yesterday saying that the person has the impression that they would both get done. But I suppose negativity gets the panic and the clicks.

Picking and choosing Ry? There was also a report yesterday saying that the person has the impression that they would both get done. But I suppose negativity gets the panic and the clicks.
- Doogs

This came from Yohe so , sadly, I believe it

I’d take him over carter if it was only 1 year at 5 or so
- ChrisMS

Carter is better though.

Don't throw too many beer cans at me for this, but - worst case scenario - would you consider a year of Jonathan Toews at 50% retained? He would obviously have to waive, but some of what we are seeing says that he's not all that excited about staying in CHI. He ended the year playing much better (and producing more) and thus far his health has been improving from the year he took off.

Just throwing some crap at the wall...

Cheers.
- Chunk

I am not gonna throw anything at you for an opinion, but I will pass on it.

This came from Yohe so , sadly, I believe it
- kfinl170

I suppose he is a bigger name but it is no secret that these negotiations have been under lockdown so I will wait until it either happens or doesn’t before deciding who to believe.

Give Letang 9mil 5 years. Tell Malkin to kick stones.

Once again Buffalo Boy all you do is criticize and abuse. What have you ever done? For a change give some answers like if Malkin leaves who do they go after?