Penguins insider blasts negative reports on Evgeni Malkin
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Earlier this week, Mark Madden from 105.9 The X and TribLive stirred the pot with claims that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin might choose to leave the team and return to Russia, potentially bypassing the final year of his contract.
Madden's on-air statement raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the future of the Penguins' core players, particularly Malkin and his relationship with Sidney Crosby.
Mark Madden's bold claims about Malkin's future
Mark Madden recently reported on 105.9 The X and TribLive that Malkin could potentially forgo the remaining year of his contract and head back to Russia.
Madden stated, «I've been told (Malkin) won't be back after this year � that he'll go to Russia and forgo the last year of his deal,» Madden said. «How does that impact Sid? Does Sid know? I bet he does. And I heard there were discussions about trying to get Letang to Montreal at Letang's request, but nothing came of that. So I don't know where this is headed.»
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Madden also hinted at other potential team changes, noting discussions about Kris Letang possibly moving to Montreal at Letang's request, although those discussions reportedly went nowhere.
Contrary to Madden's claims, Rob Rossi of The Athletic, known for his close ties with the Penguins, dismissed the notion that Malkin plans to abandon his contract.
Rossi reported that there is no substance to the rumors suggesting that Malkin would not honor the remaining term of his deal. Additionally, Malkin has directly addressed retirement rumors, stating, «Not true,» and reaffirming his commitment to fulfill his contract, which runs through 2026.
Despite being 38 years old, Malkin showed resilience and dedication during the 2023-24 season, participating in all 82 games. He recorded 27 goals and 67 points, contributing significantly to the Penguins' performance.
Malkin's intention to play out his contract is in line with his previous statements when he signed the deal in the summer of 2022. Back then, Malkin was aware of his potential decline and expressed his readiness to accept a trade if the team decided on a rebuild.
With Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Kris Letang forming the core of the Penguins, the team is focused on making one final push for the Stanley Cup. Malkin's continued commitment is crucial for the team's efforts to compete at a high level and potentially secure another championship before the core group disbands or retires.
As the season progresses, it will be essential to keep an eye on any further developments regarding Malkin's future with the Penguins. For now, the focus remains on maximizing the team's performance with the veteran players still in the mix.
As read on: Hockey Feed
Ugly reports on Evgeni Malkin get slammed by Penguins insider!
Ugly reports on Evgeni Malkin get slammed by Penguins insider!
| POLL | ||
9 AOUT | 85 ANSWERS Penguins insider blasts negative reports on Evgeni Malkin Do you believe Evgeni Malkin will honor the full term of his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 57 | 67.1 % |
| No | 28 | 32.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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