In addition to the trade deadline, now less than 48 hours away, there’s a weightier issue on Kyle Dubas’s plate.
Should our POHO/GM extend Pens great Evgeni Malkin for another season? Or should he let the UFA-to-be walk?
First, the pros, and there are plenty of ‘em. At the ripe old age of 39, Malkin is enjoying a marvelous season. Despite missing 15 games with what’s rumored to be a wonky shoulder, Geno’s tied for the team lead in assists (34) and second in points (47). His points per game of 1.04, virtually identical to Sidney Crosby’s team-best 1.05.
He’s been a play-driver for not one but two productive units, the Big Line with Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha pre-injury, as well as his current line with Tommy Novak and budding star Egor Chinakhov. Both lines have been wildly successful.
You can certainly argue that Geno’s presence, not to mention pristine setups, have had much to do with Chinakhov’s stunning emergence. A quick glance at the scoring logs reveals that No. 71 has assisted on six of his countryman’s 11 black-and-gold goals.
Indeed, the Russians have blended like peas and carrots, or red borscht and vodka if you prefer.
Then there’s the way Geno looks. Simply put, he’s galloping on the ice like a frisky colt set out to pasture for the first time. There’s a palpable joy and energy in his game. I’ve written on numerous occasions that he miraculously appears to have turned back the clock a good five years if not more. All the more remarkable when you consider he appeared to be fading into his twilight in 2024-25.
To say nothing of his emotional impact and presence in the locker room.
As for the cons?
It appears the shift to left wing is permanent. Observers more knowledgeable than I suggest struggles in the neutral zone preclude the two-time NHL scoring champion from playing his traditional center position any longer. As good a season as he’s having, Geno’s advanced 5v5 stats are okay but not great, with the notable exception of goals for percentage (57.89), which you could certainly argue is the most important.
With only 13 goals on the heels of a 16-goal season, his shot isn’t what it once was. And the big guy remains a bit injury prone.
Perhaps the biggest road-block of all?
Dubas himself.
Although complimentary of Geno during a radio show last night, he appears to be slow-playing negotiations, much as he did with Jake Guentzel a couple of seasons back. Calling a spade a spade, if Dubas really wanted to sign the former Hart and Conn Smythe Trophy winner…BAM…he’d get a deal done. Much as he did with fourth-line-wonder Blake Lizotte earlier this season.
If Dubas does intend to sign Malkin, it doesn’t make sense for him to delay. Especially since the current situation appears to be causing Geno undue anxiety. Understandably so.
As a general rule, a happy, worry-free player is a productive player.
Dan Kingerski of PHN hints there are those in the organization who believe Dubas wants to turn the page, roster-wise, and isn’t keen on re-signing Malkin. At least from a distance, that sure appears to be the case.
As the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
My two cents? I re-up Geno in a heartbeat. This would be no charity or nostalgia signing. He’s absolutely earned a new deal with his play. Cap space isn’t an issue. We’ve got gobs of it.
Sign him for another season, which would match the term of Crosby’s current contract. If he falters, deal with it then.
In the meantime, allow a black-and-gold legend and one of the top four players in franchise history to go out on his terms.
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All I have to say to Kyle Du(m)bas(s) is good luck in trying to build a team when the only clowns you can attract with your stupidity is high priced mercenaries, chasing the $ sign, unwilling to give an inch. You will end up with a team of 1 or 2 stars who will eat up half your cap space and have to fill out the rest of your team with the scraps they leave behind. Nobody will take a team friendly when you act like a complete @55.
Boy, my friend, I sure don't agree with your overall assessment of Dubas. I think, his most recent deal aside, he's done brilliant work, especially since last season's deadline. Building a contender while slashing cap space, not to mention growing the team's prospect pipeline and stockpiling picks requires a master's touch.
High-priced mercenaries? Yes, Karlsson makes a pretty coin, although I think we're getting plenty of bang for our $$$. Most of our other players are signed at very reasonable rates. Hence our burgeoning cap space where prior to Dubas's arrival there was none.
My concern, which ties loosely to your last sentence? That he'll gain a rep for not doing right by his players. Again, I'll dredge up Kulak-for-Girard, which really blind-sided (devastated) the former Oiler. I heard similar criticisms of last seasons Novak-for-Bunting swap, which unsettled two players lives for the sake of teams that weren't going anywhere, the inference being that it could've waited till summer. Not to mention actively flipping fairly fresh acquisitions like Beauvillier, Glass and Kulak.
Not re-signing Malkin in the wake of what the big guy's accomplished this season, to say nothing of his standing as one of the team's all-time greats? I don't think it would reflect well on Dubas from a player standpoint.
Loyalty's a door that needs to swing both ways, not just one.
Rick
Rick,
My comments about high priced mercenaries is a discussion of the only type of player that will come here should Du(m)bas(s) keep playing his little game with one of the greatest Penguins ever. No one will want to come here for any other reason than money. What happened over these first couple years of the current regime will not be happen again. If I am a player watching this clown's disrespect of the Conn Smythe winner of the Crosby-Malkin-Fleury-Letang era first Stanley Cup, 3rd highest regular season Point scorer, 2nd highest playoff Point scorer, 3rd highest Goal scorer in the regular season and in the playoffs, 2nd highest Game Winning Goal scorer in both the regular season and play-offs, as I wrote above, no one will ever come to Pittsburgh for any other reason than money. All the good will Mario would have built will be 9!553d out the window.
If this man's frontal lobe hasn't matured enough to project the result of his action will be, then my appellation is accurate and warranted. The Penguins HHO/GM will be cutting off his nose to spite his face should he continue the path he is projected to be on.
On top of everything else, the team is having a hard time getting attendance. Unless they can somehow land Gavin McKenna, the best chance of selling tickets in the near future would be a Malkin's farewell tour.
Again, a discussion of "Is this man using the cabbage between his shoulders for something other than a hat rack" has to be had.
You've gotta at least try to bring back Geno. I'd see if he'll take around $5 million. At his age and given his injuries, you have to do 1 year deals until either he's ready to hang them up or everyone is ready to move on. But for his production, at any age, $5m would be an absolute steal. Who do you replace his production with? Barring any trades or free agent signings, is not coming from within the organization yet.
Hey Nick,
I agree 100 percent. To me, signing Geno for another year is a no-brainer. I'm sure you can bring him back at a reasonable rate.
In addition to Geno's own impressive production, I've got to think he's been a positive influence on Chinakhov. The chemistry they've shown alone should encourage Dubas to bring No. 71 back.
Like I said, if he fades or falters, we deal with it then. We've certainly carried lesser players (Jeff Carter, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Graves).
Rick Buker
Exactly Nick, where does Dubas think he will find an equal to Malkin? Not in this FA market coming up. And trading for one will mean that the moron will have to give up something of equal value - so at best just get a push.