What It’s Like to Cover the Penguins Locker Room

Last week, as I waited for  Evgeni Malkin’s toddler son to finish his stickhandling clinic in Malkin’s locker stall, it was an effort to talk with Alex Galchenyuk whose locker borders Malkin’s locker. Galchenyuk had not yet scored a goal and I wanted to ask about his progress and state. When I finally got there, I was met with a good chirp for waiting so long. I probably had it coming. The Pittsburgh Penguins locker room is no longer a star-laden place or a room full of characters but there are still a few players who consistently keep it interesting.

This room is more straight-laced or at least appears to be on the surface than past iterations. The Penguins youth movement of players in their mid-20s has also created a plethora of weddings, births and competitive soccer games in the hallway before games.

But the one question I’m often asked by fans or friends doesn’t center on the Penguins chances in June, or why the PK has been struggling. The most common question is: What is (insert player) like in the locker room?