Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL. Preseason hockey has begun, training camps are in full flight, and there’s unfortunately, going to be a lot of cuts made throughout the next two weeks. General managers around the league have a tough job this time of year, as they need to finalize their rosters sooner, rather than later, to give their team a chance to build some chemistry together for puck drops on opening night.
From retirement chatter, to contract disputes, to trade rumors already swirling, here’s the very latest from around the NHL:
Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin admits he’s unsure about future
The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t appear to be in any rush offer Evgeni Malkin a contract extension, as the 39-year-old was eligible to sign one on July 1, and so far, there’s been no indication from Kyle Dubas that the franchise is interested. From Malkin’s side of things, he’d like to retire a Penguin, and isn’t sure he wants to hang up the skates after this season.
“Depends how the season goes,” Malkin said Friday, per SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Dan Potash. “If we play great, I play great, I feel confident, I show my game, why not one more? Preseason is huge for the team and for me. I’m still hungry. I’m glad to be here this year. We have a new coach, a couple new teammates. Exciting to see what’s going on here this year.”
Malkin is owed $6.1 million against the cap in 2025-26, and does have a no-movement clause on his contract. The Penguins are a team in transition and remain one to watch, because if the team is struggling around the trade deadline, expect a complete fire sale from Dubas, which could include Malkin being moved and even, Sidney Crosby.
“I hope I stay here like (Sidney Crosby) and (Kris Letang),” Malkin said, according to DK Pittsburgh Sports’ Taylor Haase. “Penguins forever. For sure. I hope we play great, everything goes perfect, (and) perfect for myself too. I want to stay here for sure.”
Dubas had an odd summer, as the team is trying to get back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, meanwhile hardly spent any money during the offseason, and enter the new year with $12.9 million in cap space.
Predators GM isn’t interested in trading RFA Luke Evangelista
Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz knows he’s in tough to sign restricted free-agent Luke Evangelista, but he’s in it for the long haul, and isn’t interested in facilitating a trade before the start of the regular season.
Evangelista, 23, is currently holding out of training camp without a contract, and while talks continue, there seems to be a decent sized gap between the two sides when it comes to average annual value. Trotz admitted over the weekend that the two sides have landed on a two-year deal, they just need to sort out how much of a cap hit Evangelista deserves. Nashville enters the new season with $9.3 million in cap space, and one roster spot left unoccupied.
Evangelista, a former 2020 second-round pick appeared in 68 games last season, scoring 10 goals and finishing the year with 32 points. He averaged 13:52 of ice-time per game, including seeing time on the Predators’ second power-play unit. The Predators are desperate for offence, so ensuring Evangelista is back in the mix for opening night should be near the top of Trotz’ priority list this next week, to 10 days.
Quick hits from around the NHL