PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping hockeys best one-two punch together through their primes and beyond. A day after signing coach Dan Bylsma to a two-year contract extension, the Penguins and star forward Evgeni Malkin agreed to an eight-year deal that will keep the 2012 NHL MVP and franchise cornerstone Sidney Crosby in the fold well into the next decade. The $76-million deal begins with the 2014-15 season and will carry an average salary cap hit of $9.5 million, a little bit less than the $10.6 million Crosby will average over the first nine years of the 12-year extension he signed last summer. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Penguins and Malkin have been negotiating the deal in Pittsburgh since Saturday. The deal involves a no-movement clause, as well as $10 million in signing bonuses. Its a matter of semantics, really, for two of the games biggest stars. "I think its good," Malkin said. "I like to play with him. I think he is best player in the world." A title the 26-year-old Malkin has toyed with at times during his seven seasons in Pittsburgh. The second overall pick behind Alex Ovechkin in the 2004 NHL Draft won the Rookie of the Year in 2007 and has twice captured the Art Ross Trophy given to the NHLs leading scorer. He was named league MVP in 2012 when he collected 109 points and helped carry the Penguins as Crosby continued to recover from concussion-like symptoms. Malkins numbers dipped this spring during the lockout-shortened, 48-game season. A concussion and a lingering shoulder injury limited the Russian star to just 33 points in 31 games. He bounced back during the playoffs, collecting four goals and 12 assists during Pittsburghs romp through the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators but was held scoreless -- as was Crosby -- during a four-game sweep by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals. The stunning collapse led to a few days of anxiety for the team that cruised to the second-best record in the league. Rather than panic after falling to a lower-seeded team for the fourth straight year, Pittsburgh decided to keep Bylsma, who has developed a close relationship with Malkin since taking over in February, 2009. The fact the announcement of Malkins extension came less than 24 hours after Bylsma was given a very public vote of confidence is hardly a coincidence. "I like Dan," said Malkin, who shouldered much of the blame for Pittsburghs flameout against the Bruins. The NHLs highest scoring team managed just two goals in nearly 14 periods of hockey. "Its my mistake that I scored zero goals," Malkin said following a 1-0 loss in Game 4. "Its not good for me." The disappointment did little to shake Malkins confidence in the future. He turns 27 next month. Crosby turns 26. They guided the Penguins to a championship in 2009 -- with Malkin being named the playoff MVP -- and with them in the fold for the next decade there remains plenty of time to return to the top. "Were still young and can stay here a long time," Malkin said. "Were a group that weve won Stanley Cup before and I believe we will again." Malkin was about to enter the final year of a contract that paid him about $8.7 million annually. Getting a new deal in place before he went home to Russia for the summer was important. He didnt want to enter training camp in September answering questions about his future. Now that its set, he wont have to. The deal includes a provision that would require Malkins approval if the Penguins ever tried to move him. At the moment, its a difficult scenario to imagine. "I like the city, is good for hockey," Malkin said. "I like fans. I have house here and all my friends here. Its good for me." And good for the Penguins. General manager Ray Shero praised Malkin for being adamant about his desire to stay in Pittsburgh rather than hit the open market in a year, when he could command an even higher salary and go to a team where hes not the 1b to Crosbys 1a. "He made it very clear that this is where he wanted to play," Shero said. The spotlight in a bigger market has never been something Malkin craves. One of his fondest memories is skating off the ice after his first game in Pittsburgh to a standing ovation. He has become a folk hero of sorts, his improving but still somewhat stilted English makes up in earnestness what it lacks in eloquence. His parents have become fixtures in the stands during the annual playoff runs. When he told them he was staying rather than playing elsewhere in the NHL or entertaining a return to Russia -- where he played during the lockout -- they were fully on board. The agreement allows Shero to examine the next item on his off-season "to do" list: negotiating a possible extension with defenceman Kris Letang, who is also entering the final year of his current deal. The 26-year-old was a finalist for the Norris Trophy this year but played miserably against the Bruins. Still, he remains one of the top men at his position in the game and will likely ask for a significant bump over his $3.5 million salary. "Well certainly turn our attention to Kris here over the next little bit and see if were in the same ballpark," Shero said. "Hes certainly a key player for us." One that may be too expensive for the Penguins to keep. Its the nature of the business. Pittsburgh will find a way to manage either way. Having Crosby and Malkin through at least 2022 means the team will remain a prime destination for free agents. "When you have two world-class players like this," Shero said, "you do everything you can to keep them." China NFL Jerseys . 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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- No. 19 Boise State at New Mexico on Friday night doesnt seem like much of a matchup on paper.The Broncos (4-0, 1-0 Mountain West) have been the class of the conference for years while the Lobos (2-2, 1-0) just regained a measure of respectability last season after a seven-year bowl drought.Boise State has been impressive with wins over the Pac-12s Washington State and Oregon State on the road, while New Mexico has squandered doubled-digit leads in losses to mediocre New Mexico State and Rutgers.The Broncos lead the series 6-1 but that loss came at home last season 31-24.Here are some things to watch for as the Lobos try to pull off another big upset of Boise State on Friday:BEST SERVED COLD: Revenge or retribution is not something Broncos coach Bryan Harsin seeks against New Mexico.Thats about last years team, he said. You dont need to pull that out. Anytime you lose a contest, you dont need to use that as a revenge factor. We have plenty of things we have to concentrate on to get better and well stick to that.Lobos coach Bob Davie, however, sees it a bit differently.It was an unbelievable game, he said. And to be honest thats why our challenge this year is even greater than last year.DECEPTION: Both teams rely on subterfuge when it comes to the offense. The Broncos have had a history of sneaky plays designed to throw opponents into disarray -- usually successfully.They still have all the flipping of personnel, different personnel groups, Davie said. They still have the deceptive plays that they execute at a very high level. Their bank of deceptive plays is better than anybodys in the country.New Mexico, meanwhile, will be rolling out its triple option package behind running quarterback Lamar Jordan as passing specialist Austin Apodaca continues to recover from an injury.Its a different style and they do a very good job at it, Harsin said.D-FENCE: In short, Boise State brings it, limiting opponents to 18 pooints per game.dddddddddddd And the Lobos, well its still a work in progress as they are giving up almost 33 points a game.Theres so much good that you want to feel that youre close, Davie said as he reeled off a string of positive numbers from the teams last game against San Jose State. But theres a little hesitation and all of sudden there it is.By there it is, Davie means another big play as New Mexico has given up nine touchdown plays of 40 yards or more already this season.HOLD THAT LINE: The Broncos strength defensively is up front, snuffing out opposing rushing games. Boise State is grudgingly allowing 72 yards a game on the ground.I think the O-line and D-line, theyve improved, Harsin said. Those are areas that are really improved. The guys up front have done a good job.New Mexico, however, counters with one of the top rushing schemes in the country, piling up 347 yards a game on the ground. Teriyon Gipson is the Lobos top rusher with 399 yards and a 12.9 yards per carry average.Were going to try to keep that ball and keep their offense on the sideline, Davie said. Time of possession, especially when you give up big plays on defense, is not a huge factor, but theres no secret that is what we are. Thats what this program is. Run the ball. Control the ball and try to grow the defense.AIRING IT OUT: Brett Rypien is averaging 256 yards a game and has hit receiver Thomas Sperbeck for 431 yards. Spreading the field and the passing options have allowed Jeremy McNichols to rumble for 504 yards and seven TDs.Trying to snuff all of the Broncos options is a concern, Davie said, particularly since no one else has come close to doing so.I dont think were going to shut Boise out, he said with a chuckle. I think Boise will make a few plays. So lets keep this in perspective as we fight to try and win a game. ' ' '