from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

... this summer will probably see a NHL player sign a deal that averages at least $10 million per season for the first time in roughly a decade. Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin should be able to command that type of money when negotiations begin on an extension that will start in 2014.

Ray Shero, the Penguins general manager, has already acknowledged that Malkin will likely be given a higher cap hit than captain Sidney Crosby, who signed a whopping 12-year extension prior to the lockout that pays him an average of $8.7-million per season.

It’s worth looking closely at that front-loaded deal — one that can’t be repeated under the new collective bargaining agreement. Crosby is scheduled to earn $86.4 million during the first eight seasons, which averages out to $10.8 million per year.

Why wouldn’t Malkin seek something similar over that same time period?

Essentially, the only thing that would get cut out is the extra years at a reduced salary tacked on the end to help lower the overall cap hit.

more plus other players who may hit the $10M mark...