Nick Kypreos has once again stirred the pot, dropping a fascinating nugget that has the hockey world buzzing: The Minnesota Wild are interested in acquiring Pittsburgh Penguins icon Evgeni Malkin for a playoff run. It sounds incredible, perhaps even improbable, but the connections between Wild GM Bill Guerin (Malkin’s former teammate) and the potential allure of Malkin joining forces with fellow Russian superstar Kirill Kaprizov make this more than just idle chatter. However, before anyone in St. Paul orders a custom No. 71 jersey, there is one massive, contract-sized obstacle that dictates this entire scenario.
My Take on The Malkin Situation
Look, I’ve been tracking the situation in Pittsburgh closely all season. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has been transparent; he’s not keen on blowing this roster up as long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have them in the hunt. Dubas has gone on record stating he plans to meet with Malkin during the upcoming Olympic break to reassess where the team stands.
If the Penguins are sitting in a wildcard spot at that break, this conversation is likely over. Malkin stays put to chase another ring in the only jersey he’s ever known.
But if they slide out of contention? That’s when things get very interesting. We have to remember that Malkin holds a full No-Movement Clause. He isn’t going anywhere unless he decides it’s time. He holds all the cards. If he decides he wants one more legitimate shot at a Cup this spring, the presence of Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes in Minnesota makes the Wild perhaps the only destination he’d waive for.
If—and it’s a huge “if”—Malkin agrees to a move, Bill Guerin will have to pay up. Dubas won’t give away a franchise legend for free; he needs assets to kickstart the inevitable retool in Pittsburgh.
What Would a Penguins and Wild Trade Look Like for Malkin?
If Guerin decides to push his chips into the middle to capitalize on Kaprizov’s prime, the cost will be significant in terms of future assets and prospect capital. Based on market value and the need for Pittsburgh to get younger fast, here is the type of return I believe the Penguins would demand:
The Proposed Blockbuster Package
To Minnesota Wild:
- Evgeni Malkin (C) (50% Salary Retained by Pittsburgh, lowering his cap hit to roughly $3.05M)
To Pittsburgh Penguins:
- 2027 1st Round Pick
- Danila Yurov (High-end Prospect Rights)
- Conditional 3rd Round Pick (Becomes a 2nd if the Wild reach the Western Conference Final)
It’s a steep price. Parting with a blue-chip prospect like Yurov and a first-rounder for a center in his late 30s is a massive risk for Minnesota. But a center spine of Joel Eriksson Ek, Malkin, and Ryan Hartman immediately makes the Wild a serious threat in the Central Division. Ultimately, this entire scenario rests on Geno’s shoulders. We will wait and see what he decides during the Olympic break.
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