It’s the conversation no one in Pittsburgh wants to have, but one that’s growing louder by the day: what is the future of Evgeni Malkin with the Pittsburgh Penguins? As an analyst who has watched this league for years, I’m seeing all the classic signs of a “sell high” scenario building towards the March 6 NHL trade deadline.
Let’s be clear: Malkin has been phenomenal. At 39, he’s not just playing, he’s dominating, racking up 18 points and carrying this Penguins team to a start that has frankly surprised everyone, myself included. He’s the engine driving the bus right now. But here’s the cold, hard truth: this pace is almost certainly unsustainable, both for him and for the team. We saw a similar hot start from Malkin last year before his production tailed off. Father Time is undefeated, and for a player nearing 40, a regression isn’t just possible; it’s probable.
The Penguins’ Playoff Pretensions vs. Asset Management
This puts GM Kyle Dubas in a fascinating, if difficult, position. He’s stated he’ll meet with Malkin in February to discuss his future. If the Pittsburgh Penguins are still firmly in a playoff spot, you don’t break up that chemistry. You ride it as far as it can take you.
But what if they’re not? What if this early-season magic fades and the Penguins are on the outside looking in? Suddenly, Evgeni Malkin becomes one of the most valuable rental assets on the market. A contending team would pay a significant price for a future Hall of Famer, even one on his last legs.
Which Contender Would Bite on a Malkin Trade?
Keep a very close eye on the Florida Panthers. With Aleksander Barkov on the shelf for the season, they have a massive, star-shaped hole right down the middle. They are in their championship window and can’t afford to waste a year. Malkin would be a perfect, if temporary, replacement to power another Stanley Cup run. The fit is almost too logical to ignore.
The biggest hurdle, of course, is Malkin himself. He holds a full no-movement clause and has publicly stated his desire to remain a Penguin. But he also seemed uncertain when asked what he’d do if management directly asked him to waive it for the good of the club. If the Penguins are out of the race, a chance to chase one more Cup with a team like Florida might be more appealing than playing out the string in Pittsburgh.
For Dubas, it’s a legacy-defining decision: does he stay loyal to a franchise icon, or does he make the ruthless, business-savvy move to bolster the team’s future? We’ll find out in February.
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