Evgeni Malkin signs 8-year contract extension with Pittsburgh Penguins – NHL news
After the 2013-2014 National Hockey League (NHL) Regular Season came to an end, superstar forward Evgeni Malkin was set to become a free agency later on in the Month of July, but like usual, it was close to impossible that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be
letting him go.
Pittsburgh Penguins killed off any hopes of other teams around the league who were contemplating a plan to make him an offer by signing on Evgeni Malkin to an eight-year contract extension on Thursday. His latest deal is worth a total of $76 million, giving
him a yearly salary of $9.5 million and keeping him locked on with the Pittsburgh Penguins through the 2021-2022 regular season.
“I'm so happy,” Malkin said on a conference call.
This event came a day after the Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed head coach, Dan Bylsma to a new and undisclosed long-term contract. It came as a shock for some who were expecting the Penguins, like other teams, to relieve Bylsma of his duties because of the
Pittsburgh Penguins shocking ousting in the playoffs after finishing off the shortened season as the top team in the Eastern Conference with 72 points.
The new eight year deal is the longest that is allowed under the new collective bargaining agreement, which was signed by the league and Players’ Association earlier last year.
“He's a caring player, a hard-working player,” Penguins general manager Ray Shero said. “I believe his best days are ahead of him.”
Along with securing Sidney Crosby with a major 12-year deal prior to the season last year, Malkin will continue playing for the Penguins, making them an unstoppable duo for years to come.
“I think my first year when I come and see how people liked me and [were] happy to see me here,” Malkin said talking about his favorite moment in Pittsburgh. “I remember when I stepped on the ice and everybody stood up and clapped for me. My heart was beating
so hard and it was an unbelievable memory.”
The 22-year-old native of Russia was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the second overall back in round-one of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
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