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Brian Burke is denying the notion that his Pittsburgh Penguins never presented Evgeni Malkin with a four-year contract offer.

“We were unable to reach a deal,” the team's president of hockey operations told the Tribune-Review's Seth Rorabaugh. “We made an offer that we were comfortable with. There are stories out there that we never offered a four-year deal. That’s completely false. But as far as the mechanics and the amounts, we never talk about that stuff.”

It was reported Monday that Malkin is expected to hit the open market Wednesday for the first time in his 16-year career. Burke confirmed as much but didn't close the door on bringing him back.

"The window is still open. But the timing is problematic,” the executive said. “Once free agency opens, we have to commit to what we need to do to improve our hockey club. So the timing may not work. But certainly, there’s no reaction on our part that, ‘Oh, we don’t want Evgeni back.’ Or, ‘This is horrible. What’s he thinking?’ None of that. It’s more, that store window is going to open and we’ve got to go to the store.”

Malkin is a pending unrestricted free agent coming off an eight-year pact that carried a $9.5-million cap hit. He said in January he'd be willing to take a pay cut, but the sticking point in talks, by all accounts, has been term rather than money. The Penguins' latest offer was apparently for three years at $6 million per season. Malkin would've reportedly taken the same average annual value over a four-year agreement.

The longtime superstar forward's negotiations with the Penguins have not gone smoothly. In late June, it was reported the two sides hadn't spoken regularly since their initial talks at season's end. Then, this past weekend, the forward apparently told teammates he believes the club doesn't think he's good anymore and also said he's wondered whether the Pens still want him.

Malkin will turn 36 on July 31, but he'll be one of the biggest names available in free agency.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion, 2012 Hart Trophy winner, and 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient is coming off an injury-shortened campaign in which he produced 20 goals and 22 assists over 41 games. He missed most of the first half of the campaign while recovering from offseason knee surgery.
 
Brian Burke is denying the notion that his Pittsburgh Penguins never presented Evgeni Malkin with a four-year contract offer.

“We were unable to reach a deal,” the team's president of hockey operations told the Tribune-Review's Seth Rorabaugh. “We made an offer that we were comfortable with. There are stories out there that we never offered a four-year deal. That’s completely false. But as far as the mechanics and the amounts, we never talk about that stuff.”

It was reported Monday that Malkin is expected to hit the open market Wednesday for the first time in his 16-year career. Burke confirmed as much but didn't close the door on bringing him back.

"The window is still open. But the timing is problematic,” the executive said. “Once free agency opens, we have to commit to what we need to do to improve our hockey club. So the timing may not work. But certainly, there’s no reaction on our part that, ‘Oh, we don’t want Evgeni back.’ Or, ‘This is horrible. What’s he thinking?’ None of that. It’s more, that store window is going to open and we’ve got to go to the store.”

Malkin is a pending unrestricted free agent coming off an eight-year pact that carried a $9.5-million cap hit. He said in January he'd be willing to take a pay cut, but the sticking point in talks, by all accounts, has been term rather than money. The Penguins' latest offer was apparently for three years at $6 million per season. Malkin would've reportedly taken the same average annual value over a four-year agreement.

The longtime superstar forward's negotiations with the Penguins have not gone smoothly. In late June, it was reported the two sides hadn't spoken regularly since their initial talks at season's end. Then, this past weekend, the forward apparently told teammates he believes the club doesn't think he's good anymore and also said he's wondered whether the Pens still want him.

Malkin will turn 36 on July 31, but he'll be one of the biggest names available in free agency.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion, 2012 Hart Trophy winner, and 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient is coming off an injury-shortened campaign in which he produced 20 goals and 22 assists over 41 games. He missed most of the first half of the campaign while recovering from offseason knee surgery.

 
Johnny Gaudreau's time with the Calgary Flames has reportedly come to an end.

The superstar winger will test the free-agent market when it opens Wednesday, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Gaudreau informed the Flames he will not be returning to Calgary, per DailyFaceoff's Frank Seravalli.

The 28-year-old recorded a career-high 115 points last season and finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting.

Evolving-Hockey projects he'll sign a seven-year deal with a $10.9-million cap hit in free agency.
 
The Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes have expressed interest in San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday.

Burns could be dealt by the end of the week, LeBrun added.

The 37-year-old has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8 million. His pact also includes significant no-trade protection, as he can submit a list of three clubs he'd accept a move to, according to CapFriendly. The Stars and Hurricanes are believed to be among those teams.

Both clubs are seeking reinforcements on the right side of their blue lines. Dallas appears likely to lose John Klingberg in free agency, and Carolina traded Tony DeAngelo to the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.

Burns isn't the perennial Norris Trophy candidate he was in his prime but is still a threat offensively. He tallied 10 goals and 44 assists in 82 games with the Sharks last season. His underlying offensive numbers were stellar, too.


Evolving-Hockey.com
The 2017 Norris Trophy winner has notable ties to Dallas. Burns owns and operates a 420-acre ranch in Texas, which is the home state of his wife, Susan.
 
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