Malkin to Market: Penguins Sign Rakell

Apparently, negotiations between the Penguins and Evgeni Malkin have hit an impasse. Barring any last-minute breakthrough, it appears the big center plans to test the free-agent market come Wednesday.

According to a report from Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, Ron Hextall offered Geno a four-deal for $6.1 million a year, which surprised me. I thought we had a three-year-deal on the table and that Malkin and his agent were pushing for that fourth year or a bump in salary. Despite Geno hinting that he’s a “pretty rich guy” and would accept a team-friendly deal, it seems to be about the Benjamins after all.

Like a couple headed for divorce court, neither side seems inclined to budge.

Personally, it would be incredibly sad to see Geno finish his NHL career elsewhere. It goes without saying he’s been an enormous contributor to the team’s success, garnering two Art Ross Trophys, a Hart Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Calder Trophy during an incredible Cup-filled 16-season run. In fact, our present postseason streak commenced with No. 71’s clandestine arrival from Russia back in 2006.

The numbers speak for themselves…a staggering 444 goals, 702 assists and 1146 points in 981 regular-season games. Sixty-seven postseason goals (third on the Pens all-time) and 180 points (second on the list). Seventy-eight regular-season game winning goals, tied with Sidney Crosby and Jaromir Jagr for the most in team history.

I still remember some of his early goals. One in particular against the Devils Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur that was pure electric, foretelling the sheer brilliance that was to come. The 2009 Eastern Conference Final, when he scored six goals (including “the Geno”) to single-handedly destroy Jim Rutherford’s Cardiac ‘Canes.

His magnificent 2011-12 season, when he returned from knee surgery like a runaway freight train to tally 50 goals and 109 points and make a clean sweep the of the major awards, including the Lester B. Pearson (now the Ted Lindsay Award), the MVP as selected by the NHLPA.

That season Geno was, pure and simple, the most dominant player I’d seen since Mario Lemieux, possessing a top gear that few if any others have displayed.

Fast forward to the present. Coming off major knee surgery and soon to turn 36, Malkin still produces at a point-per-game clip and remains deadly as snake venom on the power play. However, he isn’t the player he once was. Few players are at that age. He’s still dynamic at times, but not on a consistent basis. As I wrote in a previous article, he’s kind of like a sine wave on an oscilloscope. Up and down and all points in between.

A lack of productive wingers on his flanks certainly hasn’t helped, although I wonder if it’s a case of the chicken or the egg. Since his return doesn’t seem likely, I guess we’ll find out.

I don’t blame Hextall and the Pens for drawing a hard line in the sand. Given Geno’s recent health history (he’s only appeared in 74 of the team’s last 138 regular-season games) I’m surprised they offered him that fourth year. As for Malkin, you certainly can’t blame him for trying to get what he feels he’s worth. Especially since in all likelihood this is his last NHL contract.

Just wish it hadn’t come to this. Like Jagr before him, another all-time Penguin great leaving on less-than-ideal terms, with hurt feelings to boot.

Kinda stinks, to put it mildly.

Rakell Signs

Hours after talks broke off with Malkin, the Pens signed soon-to-be UFA forward Rickard Rakell to a six-year pact with an average annual value of $5 million.

Acquired from Anaheim at the trade deadline, the 29-year-old Rakell tallied four goals and 13 points in 19 regular-season games while displaying an impressive array of skills and great chemistry with Crosby.

Over the course of his career, the 6’1” 195-pounder topped the 30-goal mark twice and notched 20 goals on two other occasions, including last season.

With Rakell signed, Hextall has roughly $10.3 million in cap space to flesh out the team. Which would seem to preclude a Malkin return.

More on Heinen

According to reports, Danton Heinen is seeking a deal worth $3 million…probably a little too rich for the Pens’ blood. Which explains why we non-tendered him.

Among other RFA forwards turned UFAs? According to an article on Pensburgh, Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome (Chicago), Sonny Milano (Anaheim) and Brendan Lemieux (Los Angeles), son of Claude.

All sound intriguing. Milano (77% WAR) had great underlying stats. Strome is a big center (6’3” 200) who tallied 22 goals and 48 points for the ‘Hawks. He earned $3 million. Kubalik scored 30 goals as a rookie in 2019-20. And Lemieux is a feisty, aggressive enforcer/winger…the kind I covet. He pulled down $1.55 million last season.

UPDATE

In other free-agent news, Evan Rodrigues also plans to test the free-agent waters. The possession-driving forward enjoyed a bit of a break-out season in 2021-22, notching career-highs in goals (19), assists (24) and points (43). Durable as well as versatile, E-Rod skated in all 82 regular-season games…the only member of the black and gold to do so.

In addition, he was one of the Pens best players in the postseason, tallying three goals and five points during the seven-game set against the Rangers, including a two-goal, three-point effort to pace a Game 3 victory.

However, it truly was a tale of two seasons for the shifty 28-year-old forward. He tallied 15 goals and 30 points in his first 33 games, then literally fell off a cliff to the tune of four goals and 13 points over his last 49 regular-season contests. A precipitous drop that, ironically, coincided with Malkin’s return to the lineup.

No doubt Rodrigues is seeking a significant raise from the $1 million he earned for his career season.