Free agency is starting soon and teams have some hard decisions to make. One of those teams are the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two stars the Pens have to re-sign are Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. This edition of NHL rumours gives us a Pittsburgh Penguins update on the duo.
Here’s my latest mailbag. We talk Geno, Letang, an unpredictable summer, and many other topics: https://t.co/Jq97lAs3JX
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) June 23, 2022
Possible Pittsburgh Penguins Update on Letang, Malkin
Josh Yohe of The Athletic took a look at where general manager Ron Hextall is in the negotiations with the pair. Yohe said that the Pens management group is going prioritize signing Letang first. However, that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten about Malkin.
Letang is still the top defenceman under assistant coach Todd Reirden that gobbles up lots of minutes. The veteran defender can still make some questionable errors, but is still the team’s top blueliner. Pittsburgh would like to keep their top defenceman and that’s why Hextall wants to take care of that deal first.
However, what does that mean for Malkin? The Russian has stated that he “has plenty of money” and is likely willing to take a pay cut. He wants to stay and finish his career with the Penguins, but how low is he willing to go? Hextall was probably telling the truth that he wants to bring the Russian forward back.
What it Means
The Penguins have had time to get these deals done, but have not over the past years. It’s now less than 20 days until the start of free agency and the pair getting on the open market could be a problem.
Pittsburgh’s core is coming to the end of their run, but it may not be the smooth ride off into the sunset. This ending of the Penguins’ time together could be rather abrupt.
Yohe does predict the deal will get done before the duo reaches the free agent market. However, it’s a little more uneasy than first thought. Pittsburgh could be in for a turbulent summer even if Letang and Malkin stay.
GM Ron Hextall on Malkin and Letang: “We have had discussions recently and we will continue those discussions… In a perfect world, Geno retires as a Penguin – and Tanger is the same. These two are generational players. They don’t come around very often… I have no timeline.” pic.twitter.com/7czDh3LsoQ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 23, 2022
