“Our biggest priorities” – Penguins still working on re-signing defenceman Kris Letang and centre Evgeni Malkin

“Our biggest priorities” – Penguins still working on re-signing defenceman Kris Letang and centre Evgeni Malkin

Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin

Pittsburg Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said on Wednesday that defenceman Kris Letang could re-sign with the Penguins before they return from the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft. He said, “I’m hoping to have something done real soon here, but we’ve got a few details we’re working through”. “So, we’ll see where it goes.” Letang could become an unrestricted agent on 13th July. He earlier signed a contract with the team for 8 years worth $58 million on July 2, 2013.

But on the other hand, Hextall wasn’t so confident in re-signing centre Evgeni Malkin. He noted, “We’re still working”. “We spoke to them as recently as [Tuesday] night and we’ll see where it goes.” Malkin also has the chance of becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 13th, just like Letang. Decisions regarding these two important pieces remain uncertain as of now. Hextall further stated that both players are crucial to the team, and called them “Our two biggest priorities … and they still are.”

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Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin’s future yet to be decided

Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin
Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin

Defenceman Kris Letang has a career-high of 68 points in 78 games this season. In all 16 NHL seasons with the Pittsburg Penguins, he has a total of 650 points in 941 games and has also assisted the team with three Stanley Cup wins. As for centre Evgeni Malkin he has 42 points in 41 games this season, despite missing three months due to injury. In a total of 16 NHL seasons, Malkin has 1,146 points with 444 goals and 702 assists. He is 19 games away from 1000 in NHL. 

As penned on nhl.com, general manager Ron Hextall noted, “I’d be surprised that we don’t get Kris done,”. “‘Geno,’ we’re still working on it. So, they’re at a different stage right now.” Letang noted that he wishes to be a part of the team for another 4-5 seasons, “It’s always been the main goal, to stay here and play in Pittsburgh”. “I certainly tried to build something good here. Just want to keep it going.” 

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Simultaneously, Malkin also expressed that he could stay with the Penguins, “I understand it’s a business”. “I love this city. I love these fans so much. If the team wants new blood, young guys, and say to me, ‘You should move on,’ I’m fine. … I hope I stay here forever, like retire here.” We will have to wait and see how the final result turns out to be. But both players want to be part of the Penguins and stay with them as long as they can, even retire as part of them if possible.

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