Penguins Sign Malkin to Five-Year Extension

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Evgeni Malkin to a five-year contract extension commencing with the 2009-10 season, it was announced Wednesday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Malkin, 21, scored 106 points (47 goals, 59 assists) playing all 82 games for the Penguins during the 2007-08 season. He was just one of two players to surpass 100 points this season as his point total ranked second in the NHL. Malkin was named a finalist for both the Hart Trophy as Most Valuable Player and the Lester B. Pearson Award as “most outstanding player”. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team which was announced following the 2007-08 season.

“We are very excited to have Evgeni signed to a long-term contract,” Shero said. “This is an important signing for our franchise and the city of Pittsburgh and we commend Evgeni on his commitment to the future of the franchise and the city. This signing continues to ensure the young core of this team can stay intact for years to come”.

Malkin registered a 15-game point streak (six goals, 15 assists) from October 23rd to November 22nd which is the longest point streak by a Russian-born player in the history of the NHL. He tallied a 10-game point streak (eight goals, 16 assists) from February 2nd to February 21st, recording multiple points in eight of those games. Malkin scored a point in 62 of 82 games during the regular season and registered multiple points in 28 of those contests. He recorded his first NHL hat trick on January 3rd vs. Toronto and his second 11 days later vs. the New York Rangers. Since January 1st, Malkin scored more points (32 goals, 33 assists) than any other player in the NHL. In the playoffs, he scored 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) which ranked fifth in the league as he helped lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final.

Malkin was originally selected by the Penguins second overall in the 2004 NHL Draft. He scored 85 points (33 goals, 52 assists) during his first season on his way to winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year following the 2006-07 campaign. He was just the second Penguins player to win the award (Mario Lemieux – 1985). Malkin has scored 191 points (80 goals, 111 assists) in 160 games through his first two NHL seasons.

[lakingsfan19]

I saw this happening. Since LA didn't take him for the #2 pick, he was staying in Pitt.

[thepolishkid88]

Intresting that he is making as much money as sid. This was long overdue and im happy to see geno stay where he belongs.

[Killah_punk]

Good to see Malkin locked up. If Malkin would of waited to hit the market next summer god knows how much money would of been offered to him, 8.7 mil a season is a deal.

[Cat Smasher]

Good, because every rumor about him going elsewhere was made up, fantasy, mostly by Eklund.

Seriously, when one GM calls another and says "so I hear I am getting Malkin?". It's all made up.

Good they can keep him, really good.

[lakingsfan19]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Good, because every rumor about him going elsewhere was made up, fantasy, mostly by Eklund.

Seriously, when one GM calls another and says "so I hear I am getting Malkin?". It's all made up.

Good they can keep him, really good.

Dean admitted in a phone interview recently, he was offered Malkin for the #2 pick and serval other big name players from different teams.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by lakingsfan19

Dean admitted in a phone interview recently, he was offered Malkin for the #2 pick and serval other big name players from different teams.

This was on draft day. Watts is saying the Euro talk was there for a reason, but Ray didnt bite.

[lakingsfan19]

I am glad to see him stay in Pitt.

[FlyersEnforcer]

5 more years of hating him.


Penguins fans should be happy. This guy is amazing.

[Isles4life]

Finally, and we can now calm down with all those annoying trade rumors. He deserves the same kind of deal as Sid after what he showed this season.

[FightingIsGood]

This was actually a done deal as of yesterday - they apparently couldn't get in touch with Malkin until today because he was on vacation. But I'm glad the deal is done, the rumors are put to rest and he will be a Penguin for the next 6 years. He's definitely worth every single penny. Now if we can only get some wingers to play with him and Sid, we'll be OK.

[Faz]

Whatever else happens today, it's been a good one for the Pens.

I like this. This was always the plan. The Pens will now, officially, be built from Crosby-Malkin at centre outwards for at least the next 5 years. And I'm OK with that! Many successful teams have been built around two star centres, and these guys are megastars.

Both Crosby and Malkin should improve over the next few years through experience and a bit of extra strength in the body, and that's a scary prospect for 29 teams and an exciting one for the Pens!

[Gtrain15]

Originally Posted by FlyersEnforcer

5 more years of hating him.


Penguins fans should be happy. This guy is amazing.

lets see if he can put up the same numbers when sharing the spotlight with crosby

[knucklesamwitch]

Good signing and finally all the made up rumours can stop. Shero never shopped him and certainly didn't offer him to the kings for #2 pick. Do you really think the kings wouldn't have fell running to the podium to get that deal announced?

Last piece of the Malkin puzzle is getting stronger because he looks like hes never seen the inside of a gym and has run out of gas each of his first two years.

[FlyersEnforcer]

Originally Posted by Gtrain15

lets see if he can put up the same numbers when sharing the spotlight with crosby

Um he has done it in the past, why would it change?