Geno is a Penguins lifer. The future hall of famer Evgeni Malkin has signed a long awaited and questioned one year extension with the Penguins at an AAV of $5,500,000 through the 2026-27 season.
Malkins contract is bonus laden. He can earn up to the following:
- $500,000 in games played bonus which will be specified later.
- $1,000,000 if the Penguins Qualify for the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- $500,000 for every round the Penguins win in the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs if they qualify.
His contract also carries a no movement clause as well to protect his future with the team.
The aging forward semi turned back the clock this past season and expressed that the past season would not be his last and he had one more year in him beyond this season.
Malkin mentioned that he was willing to take less money in order to help the team be more successful and have more cap space to spend in the off-season, to try and help construct a team that will try and give him one last kick at the can. He only took a $500,000 decrease in salary which is shocking for players heading into the age of 40 in the National Hockey League.
Malkin, 39, and going on 40 by the end of his last season in the NHL in 2027 played in just 56 regular season games last season and still managed to be a point per game player with 61P (19G-42A)
Malkin had another quiet post-season which was raised many questions as to if it was time to finally move on and get younger. Geno's body language even stated that he may not know if he was returning or not.
Sidney Crosby a couple of days ago at the World Championships said that Geno and Kyle Dubas were in good talks and he remained confident.
Within the past 24-48 hours, Malkin's camp and Kyle Dubas were finally able to get a deal done and ink what only some of Penguins fans have been waiting and begging for which was the extension.
Penguins PR stated that Kyle Dubas and Dan Muse had very open discussions with Geno and his camp about him returning and what role he would have with the team along with expectations of Geno and the state of where the Penguins currently are
There was also the question that would Evgeni Malkin be in the way by blocking any young players in terms of a roster spot and that's what created speculation and question. Kyle Dubas did right by the legend and gave him his last year with Sid and Tanger.
Malkin will more than likely be kicked off the power-play and top six due to his age and decline in play. His giveaways will have to be cleaned up and he has to clean up his mental game with hopefully no suspensions in his farewell tour this upcoming season.
The Penguins now have $37,038,750 remaining in cap space after extending Malkin and Kyle Dubas has made it known he won't be spending much of it in Free Agency.
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