NHL Rumors: Rangers in on Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Evgeni Malkin to free agency?
Anthony Scultore
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Talented young Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois lit up the NHL Rumors mill with his announcement that he intends on becoming a UFA in two-years.
That’s had potential trade and offer sheet buzz going off since the news broke last week about the pending RFA.
Now it appears one team is making a play to add Dubois via trade and it’s the New York Rangers.
NHL Rumors: Rangers in on Pierre-Luc Dubois
Francois Gagnon of RDS reports this morning that the Rangers were in contact with the Jets during the Stanley Cup Final regarding a potential deal.
“By the way, according to information obtained during the final, the New York Rangers would be more than interested in acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois,” said Gagnon in a translated tweet. “Ongoing negotiations with the Jets on the parameters of a transaction. It’s not done, but Chris Drury is very interested.”
Dubois, 24, posted 28 goals and 60 points in 81 games this past season. He’s wrapping up a two-year deal with an AAV of $5M.
The Rangers have a pending RFA of their own in Kaapo Kakko they need to sign, he could easily be part of the package along with another prospect like Nils Lundkvist in order to get a deal done.
With the Rangers looking for a longterm solution at 2C, Dubois may just be a perfect fit.
NHL Rumors: Evgeni Malkin to hit free agent market?
It is starting to look more and more possible that Evgeni Malkin will become a UFA on July 13. According to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Malkin are far apart on a new deal.
Numerous agents have told me that, after conversations they’ve had with Penguins general manager Ron Hextall, they believe it’s unlikely that Evgeni Malkin is returning to Pittsburgh. Some people I’ve spoken with in the Penguins organization feel the same way.
The Athletic (Subscription Required)
There was a report during the playoffs that Pittsburgh offered both Malkin and Kris Letang a 3 year-deal worth $5M AAV which was considered too low.
Elliotte Friedman in a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show said:
“I think with Malkin… the biggest issue is dollars,” Friedman said. “I think they were willing to agree on term… I just heard the money wasn’t close.”
via SI.com
Malkin, 35, finished the year with 42 points in 41 games. He wrapped up a deal worth $9.5M AAV against the cap.
