Evgeni Malkin mock trade: Speculating Dallas Stars trade package for Penguins star

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin could be headed to the Dallas Stars, according to a widely circulating rumor.

A Sports Illustrated piece picked up a video posted by Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson, presenting a theory regarding the Dallas Stars’ reported interest in Malkin after Tyler Seguin went down with a significant injury requiring hip surgery.

The video has made the rounds, fueling outrage among Penguins’ fans but also generating speculation as to what such a potential trade would look like.

To begin with, Evgeni Malkin has a full no-movement clause (NMC). In other words, the Penguins can’t trade Malkin, send him down to the minors, or put him on waiver without his consent.

Assuming he does agree to waive his NMC to go to the Dallas Stars, the biggest question would be regarding what the Penguins could expect in return. Malkin is 38 and not getting any younger. He’s got one more year left on his current deal, carrying a $6.10 million cap hit.

Nevertheless, Malkin’s production is still there. He’s got six goals and 24 points in 27 games this season. He’s a minus-11, but that could be more the result of a poor Pens team than his lack of on-ice performance.

As such, Malkin could fit in quite nicely as the second-line center for the Dallas Stars but not without a hefty price tag.

Trade package for Evgeni Malkin by Dallas Stars

The trade package for Malkin likely depends on one thing: salary retention. If the Penguins retain any salary, as much as 50% as permitted by the current salary cap regulations, the price could be at least a first-round pick, most likely this year’s or perhaps next season’s, one or two mid-round picks (2nd and 3rd rounders), a roster player and a prospect.

The Stars may have their eye on someone like Oskar Back, Sam Steel or Mavrik Bourque. As for a roster player to take Malkin’s spot, the Stars may be willing to part with Evgenii Dadonov as he is an impending free agent.

But if the Stars take on Malkin’s full cap hit, the price could go significantly down. In addition to a roster player like Dadonov or perhaps Colin Blackwell, the Stars could get away with making the deal without giving up a first-round pick. That seems plausible if the Stars are willing to part with a prospect.

Otherwise, the Stars could sacrifice a first-round pick to keep a top prospect like Back or Bourque.

Furthermore, the price could come even further down if the Stars are willing to take on a relatively bad contract like Kevin Hayes.

Here's a look at what the full trade package could look like:

Dallas Stars get:

C Evgeni Malkin

Pittsburgh Penguins get:

2025 first-round pick

2026 second-round pick

2026 fourth-round pick

F Evgenii Dadonov

F Oskar Back

All told, the Stars could be sending as many as five pieces to Pittsburgh for Malkin. While the deal would certainly be a blockbuster, it’s one the Stars may want to sleep on before pulling the trigger.