Evgeni Malkin Contract Negotiations: Finding Common Ground with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin Contract Negotiations: Finding Common Ground with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin is currently in negotiations with the Pittsburgh Penguins for a new contract, with the real dollars of salary becoming a point of contention. Despite the Penguins having ample cap space and needing to spend money to reach the salary cap floor, there seems to be some back-and-forth over Malkin's contract level. Malkin, who had a strong season with over a point per game and 61 points, is likely to accept a salary below his true value, providing the Penguins with a good deal. The financial benefits of having Malkin back, including gate appeal and revenue, are also significant for the team.

General Manager Kyle Dubas is known for his firm negotiating stance, as seen in previous contract talks. Last summer, the Penguins allowed Connor Dewar and Philip Tomasino to hit unrestricted free agency before re-signing them to team-friendly deals. Dewar's recent contract extension, mirroring his linemate Blake Lizotte's salary, was a smooth process. Bonuses could be a solution to bridge the gap in Malkin's contract negotiations, with performance bonuses being a possibility for the 35+ player in a one-year deal.

Despite the negotiations, Pierre LeBrun is confident that a deal will be reached between Malkin and the Penguins. The key takeaway is that both sides are actively communicating, which bodes well for finding a mutually agreeable solution to keep the star forward in Pittsburgh for the upcoming season.