We thought it was intended for the free agent market, which opens on Wednesday. But Evgeni Malkin will ultimately continue his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, all things considered.
Posted yesterday at 11:19 p.m.
The Russian has signed a four-year pact that will earn him $24.4 million. The annual value of the contract is 6.1 million. The same as defenseman Kristopher Letang, who signed with the team last week.
This means that Malkin, at 35, will continue – and perhaps end – his career with the team that drafted him, and the only one he played with in the NHL. He will be 39 at the end of his contract.
“Evgeni is a generational player who will be recognized as one of the greatest players in NHL history,” general manager Ron Hextall said in a statement late Tuesday night. His hockey resume and his individual achievements speak volumes about his qualities as a player. We are excited to see him continue his remarkable career in Pittsburgh. »
Negotiations between Malkin and the Penguins appeared to have broken down on Monday. But according to Josh Yohe, of The Athletic media, it would be Sidney Crosby who would have allowed the two parties to return to the table.
Malkin won the Stanley Cup three times with the Penguins (2009, 2016 and 2017). His name appears in the top-5 from virtually every offensive category in team history. Only Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby have played more games for Pittsburgh.
The Russian, a native of Magnitogorsk, was drafted second overall at the 2004 auction.