PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Now that Evgeni Malkin, as first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger, is going to test the free agent market on Wednesday. You have to think seriously about a potential replacement.
Malkin could hate what he finds in the market in and return. If not, here are some of the players who could be the next second-line center.
Nazem Kadri (31-years-old, 6’, 192, left-shot)
Now a Stanley Cup champion, the former 1st round pick had 87 points (28 goals) in 71 games with Colorado last year. His numbers shot up dramatically in his 13th NHL season. He scored 17 more goals with 45 more points in just 15 more games from the previous season.
Kadri is thought to be too expensive.
Patrice Bergeron (36-years-old, 6’1”, 195, right-shot)
Also a Stanley Cup champion and the best two-way player in the game winning the Selke Trophy for a fifth time last season. The life-long Bruin had 65 points (25 goals) in his 18th year in the NHL.
Hard to see Bergeron leaving Boston and will turn 37 in a couple of days.
Andrew Copp (28-years-old, 6’1”, 206, left-shot)
A March add by the Rangers, had 18 points in 16 games with New York and career-highs with 53 points (21 goals) in 72 games between the Jets and NY. Finished 24th in the voting for the Selke Trophy.
Copp made $3.64 million on a one-year contract and is looking for a first big pay day.
Claude Giroux (34-years-old, 5’11”, 190, right-shot)
Come on, let’s just imagine this for a minute of having Giroux in black and gold. Between the Flyers and Panthers combined for 21 goals and 65 points last year. His best season was 102 points in Philly in 2017-18 leading the NHL in assists with 68. The seven-time All-Star did everything in Philadelphia but win a title.
Rumors he could go to his native Ottawa or back to the Flyers, who are interested. He made $8.275 million each of the last 8 seasons.
Vince Trocheck (29-years-old, 5’10”, 186, right-shot)
It’s more than just a fun hometown thought. Trocheck had 21 goals and 30 assists in 81 games and a plus 21 with Carolina last season. The plus/minus was a career-high making $6.25 million this past season, the highest of his career.
Thoughts Trocheck wants a long-term deal around the same dollar figure as last year. If the Pens don’t bring back Malkin, the Pittsburgh kid is not quite the offensive threat of Geno, but plays a more responsible game.
Dylan Strome (25-years-old, 6’3”, 200, left-shot)
Chicago decided not to make a qualifying offer as they continue in rebuild. He is coming off a career-best 22 goals with 48 points in 69 games as a top line center. He played for $3.6 million last season and likely would receive, or at least want, a significant raise.
What the Pens would have to figure out is how much Strome benefitted by centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. He’s not the fastest center with better hands than feet and better passing out of a zone than carrying.
Rickard Rakell (29-years-old, 6’1”, 195, right-shot)
Here is an idea, the team reportedly signed Rakell to a long-term contract on Monday night. As much as he is viewed as a winger, he can also play center and the team was happy with how he fit into the system.