‘Why Not?’ Evgeni Malkin Speaks on Penguins Future, If Dubas Asks to Trade
CRANBERRY — Evgeni Malkin promised to speak to the media, “tomorrow!”
That promise was made back in April after the final Pittsburgh Penguins game. Of course, Malkin did not speak the following day as players cleaned out their dressing stalls and departed for home.
Friday, Malkin, 39, was in good spirits. In fact, all of the Penguins’ veterans have been upbeat. It was a long tomorrow, but Malkin finally addressed the potential end of his career as he has just this season remaining on his contract.
“(If) we play great, I play great, I mean, (if) I feel confidence from my game, why not one more?” Malkin asked. “This season is huge for the team and for me. And again, I’m still hungry. I’m glad to be here this year. And we have a new coach, a couple of new guys, and our teammates. And again, (it’s) exciting to see what’s going on this year.”
Last season, Malkin had only 50 points in 68 games as questions began to arise about his longevity. However, the upbeat Malkin not only shrugged off questions about his future with optimism, but he also opened the door to a myriad of trade rumors.
No, Malkin does not want to leave the Penguins. And no, Malkin is not anxious for a trade to win a Stanley Cup in what could be his final season.
However, the reality of the Penguins’ situation and watching longtime Boston Bruins stalwart Brad Marchand not only get traded, but win the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers was a call back to reality.
Anything can happen, and Malkin doesn’t know what he would do if Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas wants to trade him. Malkin does have a no-movement clause, but being asked is something to which Malkin doesn’t yet know how he would react.
“It’s hard. You know, we see a story like with Brad Marchand–it’s looking good. If you trade you and (he) wins the Cup, it’s a bit weird,” said Malkin. “But again, we see what’s going on with the future. Of course, everybody wants to play in the playoffs and maybe one more run to the Cup. It’s a great story when you see it on TV, but I don’t know how I would feel if the team wants to trade me.”
It should be noted, Malkin’s frame of reference for a possible trade was if the Penguins did not want him any longer, not predicated upon his desire to remain.
In the first few days of camp, Malkin has been paired with winger Anthony Mantha. The pair participated in the contact drills, and Malkin has been aggressively defending, even delivering a few shin whacks to defenseman Sebastian Aho.
The new camp has invigorated many, including Malkin.
If it’s not with the Penguins, perhaps Malkin will play one last season in Russia. So much seems to hinge on how this season goes.
“I was back in Russia, and people started talking about maybe going back to play one more year in my hometown, you know. It’s a lot of annoying, lots of guys out,” said Malkin. “I’ve come here this year, I’ve been here, like… I want to show my best. The last three or four years, I’ve not shown my best year because I am not happy with how I played, the last couple of years for sure.
“If it’s my last year here, I want to show everything. I want show my best game.”
In June, Pittsburgh Hockey Now reported that Malkin’s future remained undecided, that his representation and Dubas were to speak throughout the season to gauge the future.
At the NHL Scouting Combine, Dubas confirmed that he and Malkin’s reps would speak early in the season and again at the Olympic break. Malkin confirmed that more talks have not yet taken place, but his optimism clearly transcended the situation.
“You don’t know what (will happen) during the season, you know, like if something happens, like, I hope not. I hope I stay here like Sidney (Crosby), and Tanger (Kris Letang),” Malkin said. “I’m being like Penguins forever, for sure. And again, I hope we play great and I hope everything goes perfect and perfect for me too, you know, I want to stay here for sure.”
Perhaps this isn’t the last ride?
Categorized:Pittsburgh Penguins
Geno with Mantha sounds interesting and I keep forgetting Sullivan is gone. Graves planted Hayes in practice so maybe that’s a sign we’ll see a different style of play.