July 1, 2008 Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins have reached an agreement in principle to sign the scoring star to a 5-year contract extension, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Terms of the deal haven't been announced, but it is believed that the deal will very closely resemble the 5-year, $43.5 million deal of Sidney Crosby.
Our View:It's fitting that both stars sign similar contracts since both are equally important to the team's goal of once again hoisting the Stanley Cup. Malkin really stepped up this season when Crosby went down with an injury, and overall he scored 47 goals and totaled 106 points. He is a top-5 selection no matter the format in 2008.
June 25, 2008 Evgeni Malkin won't be moving to Russia to sign a mega dollar contract, and in fact he might be willing to take a lower salary to sign a huge long-term deal with the Penguins, according to the Post-Gazette.
Our View:Now that's what a leader does. Malkin had hoped to allow the team to save a few million to help keep Ryan Malone and Marian Hossa in the fold. Time will tell if that happens, but you have to give the young skater credit for being willing to allow the team to save a few bucks to keep the roster together.
June 22, 2008 Updating an ongoing story, reports are coming forth that Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins are currently working on a new long-term deal to keep the offensive powerhouse in Pittsburgh, according to ESPN.com.
Our View:Several sources have reported various representatives from a budding Russian professional league have contacted Malkin to steal him away, reportedly receiving offers of $12.5 million per season. Now Malkin's agent, J.P. Barry, is reporting that negotiations with the Penguins have the two parties in a "framework" for a new long-term deal to stay in the NHL.
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