Overview
- Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said Tuesday the team would love to re-sign Evgeni Malkin and confirmed ongoing talks with agent J.P. Barry.
- Set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1, Malkin has said he prefers to stay in Pittsburgh but will play elsewhere if no deal is offered.
- Dubas said younger players have not earned the spot to push Malkin out and noted the veteran’s 61 points in 56 games after a move to wing.
- Assessing the roster as short of true contention, Dubas identified five-on-five defensive leaks and a coming goalie transition as offseason priorities.
- Armed with roughly $42.7 million in projected cap space, Dubas cautioned against big long-term UFA contracts and said he will target mid-to-late-20s players who carry some trade or contract control.