Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
We’re a few days into a Pittsburgh Penguins offseason that seems ripe for some roster turnover. The veterans, in particular, know all about change. But a survey of a few key members of the club expressed strong feelings about one particular teammate.
There was a lot of love flowing toward forward Evgeni “Geno” Malkin on Friday when the players did their final interviews of the season with reporters.
Let’s start with winger Bryan Rust, who used that actual four-letter word talking about Malkin, who is facing unrestricted free agency July 1 if he is not re-signed.
“All I want to say about that is, I love Geno,” Rust said. “I love Geno as a friend and as a teammate. I don’t know life in the NHL without him. He’s a guy who’s taught me a lot over the years, just watching how he does everything and how he handles himself and how he handles a lot of the outside pressures.
“I want Geno around here as long as I’m around here.”
Malkin, who turns 40 over the summer, is on an expiring contract that carried a $6.1 million AAV. He has spent his entire NHL career with the Penguins, winning three Stanley Cups and collecting two Art Ross trophies, a Hart Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy and, way back in 2006-07, the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. He has 533 goals, 1,407 points in 1,269 games on his way to the Hall of Fame.
It’s unclear whether he and the Penguins can or will agree on a contract for next season, but it seems if he would be warmly welcomed back.
“He’s an incredible individual, I think personally and professionally as well,” defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “I’m very fortunate to be a part of this group. Had some tough years, and this year we can finally see the good qualities in guys and what makes everyone successful. It’s been a lot of fun. Geno’s a big part of that.
“He’s a quiet guy, but he has a big personality. He’s been a big part of this group for a reason. I’m just happy that so far we’ve had these three years together. We’ve seen the good and the bad. Whatever happens now, we’ll find out soon enough.”
And just in case anyone overlooks Malkin’s value, Rust offered this view:
“I don’t think Geno’s gotten the credit he’s deserved by outside people the entire time he’s been in the league. I think he’s one of the best players ever. He’s won a bunch of individual awards. He’s won Stanley Cups. He’s done a whole lot in this league. … He’s truly passionate, and I think he cares so much. He gets emotionally invested in everything that he does.”
One of the issues the Penguins might be grappling with is Malkin’s age.
“He’s a big part of this culture, this group. He has been for a long time,” said Karlsson, who is 35. “He’s obviously still playing at a very high level. (I’m) a little bit far away from his age, but being up here, you understand how difficult it is. The narrative that this day and age … where it’s a young man’s game, I think he’s done everything in his power to prove to everybody and himself that he’s still a capable player (who can still) be an impactful player in this league.
“Happy for him. No matter what happens to him, I think he’s going to land on his feet, and he’ll be just fine.”
The last part of Karlsson’s comment doesn’t exactly exude confidence that Malkin will be back – with the Penguins, at least. Friday, Malkin for the first time said he would look to sign with a different team if the Penguins aren’t an option, simply because he wants to play one more season in the NHL.
Seeing Malkin in another NHL jersey – and not seeing him in their locker room or on their ice – would be difficult for the two other members of the Penguins’ Big Three.
Malkin, defenseman Kris Letang and center Sidney Crosby have set a North American pro sports team record for a trio of teammates with 20 seasons as together.
Letang noted that he has no sway in what happens with Malkin this offseason, but he made it clear where he stands.
“We’re really close – Me, Geno, Sid – and we just want to keep it going,” Letang said. “We don’t know anything other than that. You get so close to those guys that you want to keep it going.”
Crosby – who after the Penguins were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia on Wednesday called Malkin “family” — was eloquent in expounding on that.
“It’s tough. We’ll see what happens,” Crosby said. “We’ve played together so long. I think it’s clear I’d love to be playing with him for longer, so we’ll see what happens, but it’s pretty obvious at this point that I’d love to keep playing with him. Obviously, sharing as much experience as we’ve had over the course of 20 years, but (also) just his ability to step up, his competitiveness, the energy that he brings to the rink every day.
“He still loves it. He still wants to win. He’s a determined guy with a lot of pride. For as long as he’s played here, he’s been part of setting a standard. Just on top of all the experiences that we’ve shared, I think you build that belief and trust and bond. That’s something that we’ve had over the course of time.”
The question is whether that time has come to an end.
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