The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off a unfortunate first round exit against the red hot New York Rangers, they forced a game seven despite both goaltenders being injured but unfortunately did not get the final win to move on. Penguins general manager Ron Hextall simply addressed the media stating there next steps are to work out deals with there current free agents who are in need of a new contract, those players were Bryan Rust, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin.
All seemed to be going good, the Penguins got a early start to the off season signing forward Bryan Rust to a six-year contract worth $30.75 million dollars equaling $5.125 million per season, next up they signed defenseman Kris Letang who came off a career high point year to a 6 year deal at a steal of a price with a average of $6.1 million per season, but time passed and Evgeni Malkin was never signed?
It was rumored that Malkin was only interested in re-signing with the Penguins if the deal contained a 5 plus year contract, Penguins general manager Ron Hextall did not want anything to do with that as Malkin has yet to play a injury free season in 10 years. Malkin ended up announcing he was hitting the free agent market just one night before the free agency frenzy started, but it did not take long for the Penguins to bite back and offer him a more suitable contract to lock ‘'Geno'' up for longer in Pittsburgh.
Both Pittsburgh's and Malkin's agent went there own ways when they understood what Malkin wanted, until Sidney Crosby stepped in and spoke to management and demanded Malkin must re-sign and that something must be worked out. Sidney Crosby and Malkin have been teammates for many many years now and have been through thick and thin, and also multiple Stanley Cup Wins. It would have been a heart break for Crosby to see Geno's departure.
