I’ll say it again, Hextall’s had a very good off season so far, he doesn’t have to “recover” or “save himself” from anything. He’s don’t a very good job so far. He gave Geno several offers and tried to work with him and Geno proclaimed that “we don’t think he’s good anymore” and that wasn’t the case, it was simply that Geno wanted more term and agreed to take a paycut and we offered him several deals and he turned them down. So that’s not all on Hextall at all if his aging 35 year old 2C won’t accept a short term REASONABLE contract. If he comes back, he comes back, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. I’m prepared for a younger 2C and more of a game that we haven’t had from Geno lately.

I don't think Geno comes back unfortunately

Other tricky thing is there are reports they offered the 4th year and other reports that they haven't. As fans, we do not know the truth, so we cannot jump on Hextall or Geno, like I did. Still, i think best option is to bring Malkin back

If he was offered a 4th year and declined then it's time to say goodbye, if he only got 3 years and is looking for a 4th year which I bet will be the final offer that they will make to Geno, then he will re-sign. All signs are pointing to him leaving and I bet he goes to NYR or WSH

Rangers didn't want to pay Copp so its tough to see them make Malkin work but they might be able to. WSH is expecting Backstrom to return though

People will say it’s the best option because it’s all us pens fans have ever known and respected and rightfully so. But if you look at the situation from an outsiders perspective and if you look at Geno’s game over the past few years, it’s evident how one sided and how narrow his game has turned. I mean we all know about the atrocious liability he’s become on defense and yet all people will bring up is the 41 in 42, while 20/42 of his points were on the power play. I mean not to mention the skating, the constant arrid passes shift after shift, doing too much with the puck, the zone entry’s fumbled at the blue line, and of course, the lack of production at even strength. Just imagine what we could do and what SULLY could do with a 2C that has all of those elements and is younger and faster and can elevate the pace of that second line.

Rangers have no cap space for him

To be fair though he has always struggled with defense and turnovers. And the people saying he isn't good at 5v5 are just factually incorrect. If Malkin was asking for the the same money as last year it's an easy no - but if he's willing to take something in the 6's he is the best option

I think part of his production at 5 v 5 is due to linemates that aren't good and/or consistant. If Malkin returns, Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell and 2LW-Malkin-Rust should be the top six. Spread the wealth

But they aren’t incorrect, his 5v5 play has been awful and has become a serious issue

that's factually incorrect.

Last year Malkin had the same 5v5 Corsi, Fenwick, and xGF% as Crosby, and just slightly lower SCF% - although still really good. And he did this with Heinen and Kapanen as his wingers. Scored goals at a 5v5 rate second to only Guentzel