Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed franchise center Evgeni Malkin to a fresh eight-year contract extension worth $76 million.

"I like the city," Malkin said during a conference call. "It's good for hockey. I like being here. It's a good team and hopefully, we win the Stanley Cup."

Malkin's signing came less than a day after the Penguins signed coach Dan Bylsma to a contract extension despite being swept by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals.

"I like Dan and I'm glad he's signed for two more years," Malkin said. "I know we lost, but we lost in the (conference finals). We still had a chance to win and we had a good team this year."

The 26-year-old Malkin, the MVP of the 2011-12 season, had nine goals and 24 assists in 31 games this season. He added four goals and 16 points in 15 Stanley Cup playoff games.

Two seasons ago, Malkin scored a career-high 50 goals with 109 points and won his first Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. He has 217 goals and 560 points in 458 regular season games.

Malkin won the Conn Smythe as the Penguins captured the Stanley Cup in 2009, tallying 14 goals and 36 points in 24 games. He has 36 goals and 97 points in 83 postseason contests.

"He's 26 years old and I believe his best days could be ahead of him," general manager Ray Shero said in a news conference. "So I'm really, really happy to have him under contract. He's a huge part of our franchise."

Malkin's extension, which starts in the 2014-15 season, has an average value of $9.5 million per year that makes him the highest-paid player on the team. He still has one season remaining at $8.7 million on his previous contract.

The signing also gives the Penguins some long-term security as both franchise players are now under contract. Team captain Sidney Crosby signed a 12-year contract extension last June.

"I think it is good," Malkin said. "I like playing with Sidney."

Shero said that it is beneficial to have both players signed as they try to plan the future and make some decisions on the roster.

The next big decision for the Penguins is defenseman Kris Letang, who will be an unrestricted free agent after next season.

"We'll certainly turn our attention to Kris in the next little bit," Shero said. "He is a key player for us."

 

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Penguins Sign Evgeni Malkin to eight-year extension