Should they do this? Absolutely. Will they? Absolutely not. Not in the "hockey culture".

Hearing Malkin could be "iffy" for the start of the season makes believe even more they'll protect Carter. The way Hextall and Burke talked about him, they clearly view him as a big part of the plan for next season.
- madmike71

Even with his shooting percentage regressing back to the norm, I think he's still gonna be a solid 3C.

Honest question. What type of knee surgery did Malkin get? Arthroscopic? Meniscus?

Even with his shooting percentage regressing back to the norm, I think he's still gonna be a solid 3C.
- j.boyd919

Hell yea.

Honest question. What type of knee surgery did Malkin get? Arthroscopic? Meniscus?
- nateca444

They didn't get specific. Just "surgery" and likely won't be ready for camp in September when they'll have a better idea on timeframe then.

Malkins extension negotiations are going to be tricky. How do you tell him Kris Letang is going to be making more money than him after next year?

They didn't get specific. Just "surgery" and likely won't be ready for camp in September when they'll have a better idea on timeframe then.
- madmike71

Does that mean rehab only for the foreseeable future? Little to no off season workouts, no camp, probably going to be another slow beginning to next season.

Will this fan base accept another slow start? Oh, they'll say they will, for a couple games. Then if we lose a couple games 'I told you we should have traded him years ago. Or if we get off to a hot start it'll be 'We don't need him.'

Malkins extension negotiations are going to be tricky. How do you tell him Kris Letang is going to be making more money than him after next year?
- Grinder47

Malkin is banged up, he may not want to keep playing. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he returns to Russia next year. I believe his wife is Russian also, his next contract is going to be a family decision.

Malkin is banged up, he may not want to keep playing. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he returns to Russia next year. I believe his wife is Russian also, his next contract is going to be a family decision.
- Thunderbolt

Best case would be to sign him to an extension with a cap hit that reflects the player he is now.

Malkins extension negotiations are going to be tricky. How do you tell him Kris Letang is going to be making more money than him after next year?
- Grinder47

Show him his personal stats that have been steadily declining and injuries adding up. Can't pay for past performances, that is the way corporate America works or any successful company.

Not sure the scope of the surgery, but if he is out through training camp, expect him to miss at least the first 1/4 of the season. He was not prepared to play hockey whatsoever this season, so I'm hoping he goes Kucherov and sits out half the season but comes back in great shape.

It could be a massive advantage having Geno fresh for the second half and playoffs.

Not sure the scope of the surgery, but if he is out through training camp, expect him to miss at least the first 1/4 of the season. He was not prepared to play hockey whatsoever this season, so I'm hoping he goes Kucherov and sits out half the season but comes back in great shape.

It could be a massive advantage having Geno fresh for the second half and playoffs.
- MacPatty

I believe this is going to be the plan if they need emergency cap space (pending on how the expansion draft goes)

Show him his personal stats that have been steadily declining and injuries adding up. Can't pay for past performances, that is the way corporate America works or any successful company.
- PENS1989

Completely agree to an extent, but I would give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to term. 3yr $7.5 seems like a fair deal for both. No doubt Malkin could go elsewhere and get more but if he really does want to stay with the Pens it seems like a fair sacrifice.

Show him his personal stats that have been steadily declining and injuries adding up. Can't pay for past performances, that is the way corporate America works or any successful company.
- PENS1989

Define steadily declining.

I'd love to see how seasons with:
1.16 ppg
1.26 ppg
1.06 ppg
1.35 ppg
.85 ppg

is a "steady decline."

Blows my mind that people think Geno is high 3C-Low 2C level when in reality he's producing at a low 1C level as a 2C.

Define steadily declining.

I'd love to see how seasons with:
1.16 ppg
1.26 ppg
1.06 ppg
1.35 ppg
.85 ppg

is a "steady decline."

Blows my mind that people think Geno is high 3C-Low 2C level when in reality he's producing at a low 1C level as a 2C.
- j.boyd919

exactly. he isnt going to be the top 2/3 player in the world, putting up 115 points a year like he did in his prime, but i dont think they will end up paying him for that. that type of player would be making 10-11 million per year in today's game. if they sign him for 7.5 mil a year, that isnt a legacy contract for him. thats market value for that production. i'd rather watch the last few years of his career anyway. maybe its irrational but whatever.

Maybe 5 mins for charging.....clean hit. Evans put himself in the spot....keep your head up.

Game is too soft.
- sammy87

Whoa Sammy made a post that didn't say to trade Geno?

Playoffs 2022 lol
- 668710

Malkin is banged up, he may not want to keep playing. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he returns to Russia next year. I believe his wife is Russian also, his next contract is going to be a family decision.
- Thunderbolt

It might be best if he did this. I do worry about a larger portion of the fan base turning on him once the need to start rebuilding becomes more obvious.

However, he's said often he wants a 3 year extension so unless he changes his mind, that's what we should expect.

Define steadily declining.

I'd love to see how seasons with:
1.16 ppg
1.26 ppg
1.06 ppg
1.35 ppg
.85 ppg

is a "steady decline."

Blows my mind that people think Geno is high 3C-Low 2C level when in reality he's producing at a low 1C level as a 2C.
- j.boyd919

I feel like he's lost sone ability to drive play. His stats are still good, but how long is that expected to last? I remember Athletic did a deep dive on every team's contract value and the last year's on Malkin was the first they expected him to decline below it's value.

Don't get me wrong, I want Malkin extended and to retire as a Pen, but figuring out the right number is tricky.

If Geno signs back hopefully it's in the 7mil range. I don't see how Tanger can take less than what he's at because he's always been a bargain, but it would be nice if he went to the 6 range haha. The comment above about showing decline in stats is ridiculous. These guys have been around a long time, just have a real conversation with them and say.."hey do you guys wanna contend in the playoffs, or do you wanna cash out?"

If Geno signs back hopefully it's in the 7mil range. I don't see how Tanger can take less than what he's at because he's always been a bargain, but it would be nice if he went to the 6 range haha. The comment above about showing decline in stats is ridiculous. These guys have been around a long time, just have a real conversation with them and say.."hey do you guys wanna contend in the playoffs, or do you wanna cash out?"
- 668710

RW had it right. 7.1m for geno and 5.8m for tanger. Boom

I believe this is going to be the plan if they need emergency cap space (pending on how the expansion draft goes)
- 123Kid

Yeah, thats why they need to figure his contract out quick. If you know he's not coming back you can be more aggressive in free agency and trades.

I know he isn't the style the Pens are supposed to be going for but if Malkin is gone next year and missing half of this season, RNH on a 5×$6M deal could be a nice get if you get him back playing center.

The Pens have zero center depth coming up in the system. You could definitely do worse than RNH as a solid 2-3 line center as a stop gap the next few years. Especially because it would cost zero assets.

No doubt Malkin is fading from the dominant player he once was... but him fading typically means he is still a #1 or #2 player on a team. No doubt he is still a premiere top 6 forward. Good top 6 forwards are making $6-8M. No doubt that is reasonable for him.

I thought it was interesting when Malkin said he had a drive to be the first russian player to reach 4 Stanley Cups. That doesnt sound like a guy who is getting ready to pack it up and go home to Russia. Right now he is at 940 GP. If he misses a lot of time next season, he might not hit 1,000 games until the season after.

I really dont see Malkin or Letang going anywhere as long as the team wants them back.

I feel like he's lost sone ability to drive play. His stats are still good, but how long is that expected to last? I remember Athletic did a deep dive on every team's contract value and the last year's on Malkin was the first they expected him to decline below it's value.

Don't get me wrong, I want Malkin extended and to retire as a Pen, but figuring out the right number is tricky.
- Tojo.

How old was Guerin when he stopped being as effective? I see players like him and then think...Malkin was a superior player. I'd like to think he can drive play for a long time.

How old was Guerin when he stopped being as effective? I see players like him and then think...Malkin was a superior player. I'd like to think he can drive play for a long time.
- nateca444

Guerin was effective until he retired.

I feel like he's lost sone ability to drive play. His stats are still good, but how long is that expected to last? I remember Athletic did a deep dive on every team's contract value and the last year's on Malkin was the first they expected him to decline below it's value.

Don't get me wrong, I want Malkin extended and to retire as a Pen, but figuring out the right number is tricky.
- Tojo.

Of course he has lost his ability to drive play. So has Sid, but he’s still over a ppg the last few seasons (averaging). That’s why surrounding these guys is even more important now but take a look around the league, even with Malkins “decline” it’s still one of the better 1-2C punches in the league.