Kingerski: Penguins Should Pull Back on Malkin & Letang, Sign Rakell, Others Now

Every now and then, I write a column that sticks my neck out just a little farther than I would like. At any moment, the Pittsburgh Penguins could announce spiffy new contracts for Evgeni Malkin or Kris Letang that are either an overpay or team-friendly. The offseason and future hinge on those two decisions, as will the bulk of the Penguins’ $23 million salary-cap space.

Yet, I’m going to suggest the Penguins pull back.

After cursory discussions last summer, which went nowhere, the Penguins and GM Ron Hextall made a serious offer to Bryan Rust. He jumped at it.

Similar cursory discussions occurred with Malkin and Letang. We’re now about 19 days to the emotion-fueled swapmeet known as the first day of NHL free agency. The Penguins and GM Ron Hextall are trying to avoid entering Day 1 of free agency with important roster spots to fill.

But maybe that’s not so bad?

Obviously, negotiations have not been easy. The players want more than the team wants to give.

Pittsburgh Penguins Logjam

I’ve learned this first-hand: When you negotiate against yourself, you only win when the other side acquiesces to get it done. For the Penguins, with time running short, it is starting to look like it is time to fortify the other positions and let the primary decisions take care of themselves.

Behind Malkin and Letang is a line of valuable players who also need contracts if the Penguins wish them to continue playing in Pittsburgh. Top-six winger Rickard Rakell, forward Evan Rodrigues, backup goalie Casey DeSmith, RFAs Danton Heinen and Kasperi Kapanen.

Before the Penguins can address the secondary decisions, they seemingly have to make the primary decisions.

…Or do they?

Sign everyone else they want to keep, solidify the team, then deal with the money that is left.

Malkin and Letang are valuable on the ice and pillars of the Penguins’ “family.” They wear three Stanley Cup rings and feature prominently in the organization’s history and highlight reels.

But maybe, just maybe, Hextall should pull back. Let others set the market on his superstars. Let them see if the grass is greener. More importantly, unless a deal is imminent, Hextall could use the time and money to finish the rest of his roster. Make sure the team has an adequate backup goalie. A top-six winger such as Rakell and the depth that a versatile player like Rodrigues can bring.

Oddly enough, as a second-line center, Evan Rodrigues did put up some solid numbers in the first half of the season. As he was shuffled down, his numbers and perhaps confidence tumbled until late in the season. He was one of the Penguins best players in the playoffs and notched a few goals.

We’ve seen Hextall roll with a cheap replacement (Chad Ruhwedel) with acceptable results. As a temporary fallback option … maybe?

Wait too long on Malkin and Letang, those secondary players could bolt. As Dave Molinari wrote weeks ago, it won’t be easy to replace Casey DeSmith. Nor will it be easy-peasy to replace Rakell, who blended seamlessly into the Penguins’ structure.

How many other forwards could score 19 goals and fill the number of positions that Rodrigues filled at such a bargain price?

Believe it or not, the Penguins could be worse off even if they get Malkin and Letang under contract.

July 13 NHL Free Agent Frenzy

In his breakup day media chat, Letang admitted he would let the Pittsburgh Penguins match any offer he received.

Great. Done.

Let’s see what the market will bear. Let Letang stare into the abyss of playing his final seasons on a rebuilding team in a city to which he has no connection. Hello, Detroit? Or a team that can’t break out of the middle, like Dallas.

Or an undesirable place to live. The NHL has a few of those, too. We all have places we wouldn’t live, and no amount of money would draw us there. The suburbs and cities without a good slice of pizza are mine.

Replacing Kris Letang is nearly impossible. But paying him the term and dollars that he wants is also beginning to seem impossible. So, a good look at his options could sway Letang to accept less than he wants.

One winter in Winnipeg would surely make me reconsider my life’s decisions. (Someday, I’ll tell you about three weeks in Grand Forks, ND, and the Hardees, which is 90 minutes south of Winnipeg. Minus-54 degrees).

Anyway …

After a year of negotiations, the Penguins are negotiating against themselves. Maybe Letang can pull $9 million for five years. If he can, God bless, enjoy yourself.

If Malkin can get three or four years at an AAV above $8 million, and his family approves, he, too, can live his best life away from the Penguins.

Let’s see what the market will bear.

Hextall can also see what else is available. What if Vincent Trocheck or Nazem Kadri commands affordable dollars? What if other players become available via the NHL trade market, and the Penguins have a few more dollars to spend?

Both sides have come this far. They might as well look at what is on the other side.

Unlike Letang, whose replacement will represent a step back, the Penguins can improve their second-line center position for less money. The analytics say so. Evgeni Malkin replacement.

Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke has said many times that more mistakes are made at the NHL trade deadline and on the first day of free agency than any other day.

There exists a path from which the Penguins can benefit by letting others make mistakes. If those mistakes don’t happen, the Penguins can get what they want by scooping up their stars on contracts more reflective of the Penguins’ desires.

Fortify depth, and hold to values. It’s a gamble, but it might be the only way to improve the team.