AP
The Penguins signed Evegni Malkin to a five-year extension today, a deal that will keep him under contract until the 2013-14 season. The 21-year-old forward still has one year left on his initial three-year entry level contract.
Signing Malkin was key to the Penguins, who lost Marian Hossa to the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. Malkin could’ve become a free agent after next season if he didn’t have a new deal.
Malkin scored 106 points, including 47 goals, last season and was an All-Star and a finalist for the Hart Trophy, which is given to the NHL’s most valuable player.
Malkin was selected by the Penguins with the second overall pick in the 2004 draft. He scored 33 goals in the 2006-07 season on his way to being named the league’s rookie of the year.