The Pittsburgh Penguins are closing in on an extension with Evgeni Malkin that is believed to mirror the extension Pens captain Sidney Crosby signed in July of 2007, a five-year deal averaging $8.7 million.
Sources tell TSN that Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero and Malkin's agent J.P Barry are believed to be finalizing the details with an announcement exected either later today or tomorrow. J.P. Barry, Malkin's agent, is going over the details of the contract offer with his client. It's agreed to, but Malkin has to officially sign off on it before the Penguins make a formal announcement.
Malkin, 21, emerged as an NHL superstar in his second season, finishing second in the league with 106 points before adding 22 points in 20 playoff games and has one season remaining on his current contract, so the extension would take effect in the 2009-2010 season.
The Penguins also agreed to a three-year deal with forward Pascal Dupuis.
Dupuis, who would have been an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a three-year deal this morning, worth $1.4 million per season.
Dupuis was acquired from Atlanta on February 26 in the Marian Hossa deal. He scored 12 points in 16 regular season games with the Penguins, and added 7 points in 20 playoff games.
The Penguins also re-signed defenceman Mark Eaton to a two-year, $2-million deal.
A 31-year-old shot-blocking defenceman, Eaton played only 36 games last season after suffering a torn MCL. In 384 career games with Philadelphia, Nashville and Pittsburgh, he has 53 points and is plus-11.