[UPDATE: Malkin has signed a four-year, $24.4 million extension to stay in Pittsburgh.]
The big news on Monday was the report that Evgeni Malkin, unable to find a new deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, intends to head to unrestricted free agency Wednesday for the first time in his career.
Although the possibility was always there, it still looks like an impressive development given his career in Pittsburgh and as always it looked like he and Sidney Crosby were going to play their entire career with the Penguins.
In recent weeks, it was reported that the point of conflict exceeded the term of the contract in the bids. But Brian Burke told Seth Rorabaugh of the Tribune-Review that the reports the Penguins did not offer a fourth year were incorrect.
Either way, the details are irrelevant right now and all that matters is that Malkin seems intent on going to free agency and the possibility of him playing for another team is very, very real.
The question now is where could I really go?
Even entering his 36-year season, he remains an impact player and will be one of the best players available in the open market.
[Related: Malkin will reportedly test unrestricted free agency]
But there are some concerns.
Injuries have severely limited him in recent years, including major knee disease.
There is also concern about the decline of his game from 5 to 5. The fact is that even the 2021-22 season was scoring goals and generating opportunities at the same pace he has had throughout his career. He averaged 1.08 goals for every 60 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey last season, which was still the fifth-highest mark of his career.
What drastically decreased this year was his attendance rate, which dropped to 0.86 assists for 60 minutes of play 5 to 5. Is this a sign of Malkin’s decline? Or is it the reality of spending most of their time 5 to 5 playing alongside Danton Heinen and Kasperi Kapanen?
So now that Malkin is going elsewhere seems like a real possibility, what are some of the potential options? Let’s see five.
New York Rangers
Available salary cap space: $ 10.2 million
Why they make sense: The Rangers are willing to lose both Ryan Strome and Andrew Copp to free agency, leaving a gap open in the middle of their second line. They are on a winning streak now after a run in the Eastern Conference Finals and Malkin would be a massive offensive upgrade in the middle of their lineup.
Why it wouldn’t work: They have the salary cap to sign Malkin right now, but a No. 2 center isn’t their only need. They currently have only 16 players hired and still have to deal with the depth and defensive issues that affected them for much of last season. Unless Malkin drastically reduced the rate, they would have to formalize a contract to sign it and still make the necessary improvements to the list. This is easier said than done. Jacob Trouba should have changed yesterday, but his contract and trade restrictions make it almost impossible.
Capitals of Washington
Available salary cap space: $ 8.9 million
Why they make sense: They’re still a pretty good team and no one knows when, or if, Nicklas Backstrom will play again. The obvious way to make this work is to put Backstrom on the long-term injury reserve and simply swipe Malkin to that spot on the list.
Why it wouldn’t work: Much of this is based on the possibility that Backstrom won’t play, and while that seems possible, if it’s not likely, it’s not a fact. The Capitals also have some pretty important holes to tackle, as the goalkeeper is the biggest, as they currently have no goalkeepers on the list. They also have a full squad of players in their 30s with injury issues. Want to add another one to this mix?
[NHL free agency tracker 2022: Full list of offseason signings]
Dallas Stars
Available salary cap space: $ 17.8 million
Why they make sense: this … this really makes a lot of sense. The Stars are a good team, but they are absolutely desperate for more attack. They have plenty of room for the cover (with a catch) and are not afraid to sign big players with important contracts. His top line is set with Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz, while Malkin’s signing could allow him to center a second line that would drive Seguin to a side spot.
Why it wouldn’t work: Remember all that salary cap space? They still have to re-sign Robertson and starting goalkeeper Jake Oettinger, who are restricted free agents. This could be a problem. In fact, that would be the problem. Maybe the only problem.
Colorado Devessall
Available salary cap space: $ 14.9 million
Why they make sense: Nazem Kadri will leave and leave a big hole in his second line. Imagine adding Malkin to the defending champions of the Stanley Cup who already have a scary offense. It would be funny. They also have the salary cap space to get it. How is such a good team so far under the cover?
Why it wouldn’t work: They still have to sign six players to fill their roster, including restricted free agent Artturi Lehkonen. But that still doesn’t seem like a big hurdle if they wanted to do this route.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Available salary cap space: $ 10.3 million
Why they make sense: of course. There is still a possibility here. Clearly, they are not ready to turn the page on the Crosby era and are launching long-term contracts for everyone in an effort to maximize the next few years as best they can. Forget the story that Malkin and the team or sentimentality have, it’s still their best choice given their current approach to winning now. Someone like Vincent Trocheck won’t go in and make it a better team. Not in the short term. Not in the long run.
Why it wouldn’t work: if that were to happen, you have to think it would have already happened, right? I still could. Absolutely still could. But the closer this gets to the start of the free agent signing period on Wednesday, the less likely it seems.
(Salary limit information for Cap Friendly)
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Adam Gretz is a writer for Professional hockey talk at NBC Sports. Draw a line to phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.