Malkin willing to take less money

From Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Evgeni Malkin's agent made it known Friday that Malkin isn't interested in any mega-offer he might receive from a team in his native Russia.

He also is willing to accept less than market value in his next contract with the Penguins because, like teammate Sidney Crosby, he wants to enhance general manager Ray Shero's chances of assembling a championship-caliber lineup in the salary-cap era.

Read the entire article here.

Even though Malkin is following in Sidney Crosby's footsteps and is willing to take less than he could get on the open market, that does not mean the money the team could save on a possible deal is enough to sign Marian Hossa or Ryan Malone. Most everyone believes these two forwards will be playing elsewhere next season. Nonetheless, if the reports are true, give props to Malkin for being willing to take less than he could probably get if he wanted to.