LeBrun: Malkin, Pens still struggling to find common ground on contract

[BrindamoursNose]

Kind of a joke that carter was re-upped before Geno. Also surprised he wants more than 3 years though, figured he'd be eyeing the KHL up for his retirement tour like so many other russians.

I keep seeing this take - and I think it's a really weird one. You think Carter's contract signed ages ago is what's holding this up?

 

[jetsforever]

If I was a Pittsburgh fan I'd be pretty mad at management for dragging this out
I'm pretty mad as is as a Jets fan

 

[Dominance]

F*** “loyalty contracts.” That’s not how success is achieved in competitive sports. The Pens have been loyal to Malkin, and he to them, for 18 years. If his contract is up and he’s not compromising to meet the value the team places on him, he can leave.

 

[Mattb124]

I'm gonna be annoyed if we lose Malkin over one year.

The strategy of withholding that final year worked out great for the Sharks with Paveski. The Pens should stick with it.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

If I was a Pittsburgh fan I'd be pretty mad at management for dragging this out
I'm pretty mad as is as a Jets fan

Would you rather Hextall come out and say earlier that they won't sign Malkin? Or would you rather them continue to see if there's a compromise to be made?

Hexy is a tough negotiator and I'd still bet on a deal being done.

 

[DJN21]

I totally bet Malkin wants to come to Buffalo...I'd be for it. Let me buy him some wings and a 4 pack of Space Kitty and I'll seal the deal.

 

[Jrtu]

I think 4 x 7.1M is pretty fair, no?

 

[TheNumber4]

What did Ovie get again? Just do that minus a 1M and minus a year. That’s the deal Malkin deserves for the legacy he’s left in Pittsburgh.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Why the hell would the Pens not want to give Geno more than 3 years?

 

[DearDiary]

Why the hell would the Pens not want to give Geno more than 3 years?

New management, new GM. They're looking to the future, not things that have been done far in the past. Malkin has barely played the last 2 seasons, they want to manage their risk.

 

[HockeyShack]

I think 4 x 7.1M is pretty fair, no?

There is no way he is worth that anymore.

Try 4.5 to 5.5 a year higher $$$ for shorter term.

Let some other team sign him for that.

 

[chaser17]

I keep seeing this take - and I think it's a really weird one. You think Carter's contract signed ages ago is what's holding this up?

No it simply should have never gotten to this point where Malkin may have no choice but to walk. Probably has more to to with new ownership than anything.

 

[Bounces R Way]

He should go somewhere else tbh

Second fiddle to Sid his whole career. I could see him wanting to lead his own team.

 

[ViD]

He should go somewhere else tbh

Second fiddle to Sid his whole career. I could see him wanting to lead his own team.

Pretty sure he personally wants to stay in Pittsburgh

 

[Cape]

100% agree. Dude has scored 56 points in 90 games for the Pens. How do you get him at such great terms?

The guy is soon 38 years old. You can’t have the oldest team in the league and dream of playoffs succes. Next playoffs pens top 3 centers are 36-, 37- and 38- years old. That if Malkin is with the team.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

No it simply should have never gotten to this point where Malkin may have no choice but to walk. Probably has more to to with new ownership than anything.

What if Malkin is just asking too much?

It may not be ownership's fault - It may be a really smart move to play hard ball with Malkin if he's asking too much term and money. He gets hurt a lot despite being very good.

 

[centipede2233]

i believe burke has eyes for kadri.

 

[Mister Ed]

I'm sure others have said this, but Malkin to DET would be fun. 2 years - 8 million per. Cap space in Detroit isn't a problem and he would be a great mentor for Suter/Veleno. I know injuries are an issue, but you just can't find PPG players anywhere.

Bertuzzi - Larkin - Raymond
Vrana - Malkin - Zadina / Berggren / UFA

 

[Recipe Unlimited]

Give him an 8 years x 4 million contract and put him on LTIR for the last 5 years of the contract.

 

[kp61c]

Malkin is made of glass. 2 years is 1 year too many for him. After signing Letang till he is 50, Malkin is a luxury they can't afford.

 

[archanfelnsx]

What if he goes to the Rangers out of spite? Malkin and Panarin on a line together might work.

 

[Foppberg]

F*** “loyalty contracts.” That’s not how success is achieved in competitive sports. The Pens have been loyal to Malkin, and he to them, for 18 years. If his contract is up and he’s not compromising to meet the value the team places on him, he can leave.

And why is that on Malkin? If his contract is up and the team isn't compromising to meet the value he places on himself, they deserve to lose him.

 

[jmelm]

What did Ovie get again? Just do that minus a 1M and minus a year. That’s the deal Malkin deserves for the legacy he’s left in Pittsburgh.

One Russian Machine never breaks, and the other Russian Machine breaks a lot.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

And why is that on Malkin? If his contract is up and the team isn't compromising to meet the value he places on himself, they deserve to lose him.

Then let him walk he wouldn’t be the 1st legend in Pittsburgh to not finish his career in Pittsburgh. He said money is an issue he doesn’t want his own team because he likes Sid doing all the media stuff.

 

[dr robbie]

I love Malkin and really hope he stays a Pen, but he's no where near the player he used to be. Injured constantly, takes dumb penalties at horrible times, and sorely lacking on the defensive side of things. And if the history of athletes is any indication, it's only going to get worse as he ages out. I absolutely see the concern from the Pens side. You can't just throw money and term at someone that hasn't really proved himself lately.