PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) A lot has changed surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins since the arrival of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the mid-2000’s.
Since 2006 the Penguins have seen coaching and management changes, an ownership deal, and even a new arena.
Guys like Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang seem to be the only consistent pieces over the years.
Soon enough, however, that will also change. Whether its sooner or later, a player being traded, leaving in free agency, or retiring is inevitable.
And for those three names, those situations draw closer every day.
Malkin, who hasn’t played yet in 2021-22, has slowly getting up to speed with the team at practices.
Heading into the final year of his contract, Malkin was asked about his future with the team.
Malkin said that he wants to play for three or four more years, all the while not thinking about his contract or the money.
The 35-year-old Russian forward even joked about the money portion stating that he is already a “Pretty rich guy.”
The idea of Malkin focusing on his game rather than making money is a good avenue for the Penguins.
Malkin is already the highest paid player on the team and the NHL will only be raising the salary cap by about a million dollars next season.
“We have great group, we have great coaches, I miss hockey so much,” Malkin said. “I will be not easy but I want three, four more years and I feel like I can.”
If the Penguins can, they ought to try and secure Malkin at a team-friendly number.
He would go on to say that he feels like he can play for another three or four more years and those are positive words coming from a 35-year-old who is currently recovering from an extensive knee injury.
Malkin and Letang are both at the end of their contracts and both have intentions of staying with in Pittsburgh.
Contract talks may not ramp up until the end of the Penguins’ season, but it’s only a matter of time (and probably money) before the futures of Malkin and Letang are settled.