I wouldn't really call that a discount for Malkin

don't see Staal waving his NMC when he' is the captain and has a big role on a team with a real bright future

He'd waive that, fairly quickly.... he was drafted by Pittsburgh and has a quickly diminishing role in Carolina. He's already been pushed down the C depth chart twice in the last 3 years. He's not that far away from becoming the 4C if Stepan has a good year...

Agree he’s been pushed down depth chart to an extent but he’s likely going to lock down the 3C role through the rest of his contract. He’s still an extremely effective defensive forward, great on the dot, great PK guy, was able to chip in offensively surprisingly last season as the supporting cast improved around him, and is the captain. Stepan isn’t going to take over for him - maybe a guy like Drury in a couple of years if he impresses but there’s off ice value with Staal that I can’t see the canes moving him at this point even if he’s over paid. It’s not impacting their team cap structure anyways.

I don't see any chance of Stepan being better than Staal. Carolina is a better team, he is the captain there, and he would be the 3C on both teams, so he wouldn't get a bigger role in Pittsburgh.

Stepan has every chance of having a better year than Staal. Staal is not good offensively, and while he is a good defensive center, Carolina are built to be rock solid defensively. I'd fully expect there's every chance Stepan leaps him in the depth chart, especially by the TDL.

Screw the cap structure, you get the chance to gain assets and fill a need in the top six for someone who makes about double what they should.... Staal will waive his NMC because he's a good guy. It's not something he won't waive, it's more he gets to control where he goes. If this is proposed, I think there's no reason not to. Put the C on Slavin or Martinook, and lets move forward. Defensively strong forwards are easy to find, top six wingers aren't so much.

I get your point and agree with some of it but I don’t see the team moving Staal personally. I also don’t think PIT makes an offer like this in the first place

Pittsburgh making an offer like this is one thing, it is very unlikely. However, if it is made, there's no reason not to. This is a contract that is quickly declining, despite a good year last year. A 3C making 6 mil is an issue. If an offer like this comes up, I have to think you run to the mountains with it.

yeah right..... you don't follow hockey do you?

It's not about what Malkin has done in the first 15 years of his career, it's about what centers who are over 35 years old should be responsibly paid.

7 Million per season is a lot, especially over a 3 year span - that's not even considering his recent injury history.

I'd imagine him doing a deal in the 16M to 18M dollar range - probably over a three year span. That has his cap hit in the 5.33M to 6M range.

Final thought - as of today, Malkin has the 6th highest career earnings in league history. A 16M deal would move him into 4th. All that to say, I think he already made all the money he needs. He may just want to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

agreed on the last point but i dont think you realize how good malkin still is.... he still is in the top 10 C in the league (when healthy i get that injuries are a bit of a concern) and in a game 7 situation he can still be the best player on the ice no matter who he faces.

i still think you are right that 6mil would be ideal but ovi got PAID and geno is better so we will see what he decides to do