Evgeni Malkin is suggested as a potential target for the Detroit Red Wings as he approaches free agency. The team could benefit from his experience and skill set.
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The consensus is that the Detroit Red Wings, with plenty of cap space to use, will find nobody available in the unrestricted free agent markeplace.
But Evgeni Malkin isnât nobody.
Malkin can be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Malkin wants to stay with the Penguins, but the Penguins are trying to rebuild and itâs far from a certainty they will re-sign him. The big Russian turns 40 in July. Pittsburgh fans want him back, but the NHL hasnât yet signed off on the franchiseâs new ownership group. We donât know how the newcomers feel about retaining team stars.
The undercurrent is that Malkin, if the Penguins want him, could be re-signed on a one-year deal for $5 million. That seems like a good buy for a player who had 61 points in 56 games last season.
Pittsburgh Hockey Nowâs Dan Kingerski pegs it at â50-50â that Malkin stays in Pittsburgh.
If Malkin doesnât get a new deal with the Penguins, he has said he plans to play for another team.
If Malkin is a free agent on July 1, donât the Red Wings, a team ranked 30th in the NHL in even-strength, have to make a call. Even playing only 56 games, Malkin produced a point total that would have ranked fourth on the Red Wings.
The Red Wings should consider signing Evgeni Malkin due to his extensive experience and proven skill, which could enhance their roster.
Evgeni Malkin is currently a pending unrestricted free agent, making him available for teams like the Red Wings.
Malkin could provide veteran leadership and offensive firepower, filling a crucial role in the Red Wings' lineup.
Signing Malkin could significantly improve the Red Wings' competitiveness, potentially leading to better results in the upcoming season.
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The Red Wings need to add a top six forward, preferably a center. The Penguins played Malkin at wing after his injury, but Kingerski says his feeling is Malkin would prefer to play center.
Malkin probably isnât initially going to be enthralled at the prospect of joining a team that hasnât made the playoffs in a decade. But what if you ask him to center Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane? Or, see if he wants to play on the wing with Dylan Larkin at center and Lucas Raymond on the opposite.
Malkin certainly will know the history the Red Wings had with the Russian Five. Given the good feelings the Red Wings now have with former Detroit star Sergei Fedorov, wouldnât he call Malkin to sell the idea of playing in Hockeytown?
Because Malkin is 40, the Red Wings shouldnât offer multiple years. But they could offer him major money on a one-year deal.
âYou can get in trouble giving out multiple-year deals,â an NHL GM once told me. âIf you make a mistake on a multiple-year deal, it can haunt you. But you can overpay on a one-year deal. And maybe that player is the difference for you. But if it doesnât work out, you arenât paying for it for years. You have that cap space back the following season.â
With that logic in mind, could the Red Wings offer Malkin $7.5 million on a one-year deal? After the Red Wings re-sign Simon Edvinsson and Patrick Kane, they might have $15 million in cap space remaining. Malkin might be Detroitâs best available option.
He may end up going to Washington to play with Ovechkin or down to Florida to play with a quality team. But maybe he will go to the highest bidder. Some stars do that.
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