When the Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs, NHL trade rumors starting circulating that one of Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin or Bryan Rust will not re-sign with the Penguins because of salary cap issues.
Rob Rossi of The Athletic reports Malkin has received an offer from Pittsburgh for an average annual value (AAV) around $5 million, at terms believed to be for three and four years.
It is believed Malkin is seeking a salary of around $7 – $8million a year on a three to four year deal.
“I know my price. My agent knows my price. I want to play another three to four years.”
Evgeni Malkin
Malkin hopes to stay in Pittsburgh, but if another NHL team this summer offers more money than the $5 million AVV offered by the Pens he will bolt.
Another scenario is his hometown team in Magnitogorsk, Russia, is rumored to have offered a big contract, if this is true and the Pens do not increase their contract offer you will not see Malkin in a Penguins jersey next year and he could end his career in the KHL.
