Mark Madden: Penguins caught between nostalgia and rebuilding as Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby decisions loom

Evgeni Malkin becomes a free agent July 1. President of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas says the Penguins “would love to have him back.”

Malkin says he wants to play.

So, what’s the holdup?

Dubas has already re-upped lesser lights like winger Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Dubas’ press conference Tuesday could have been a vehicle to announce Malkin’s return.

Does Malkin want a raise? His last contract had an average annual value of $6.1 million. Will the Penguins low-ball Malkin?

Does Malkin want two years? That might be a deal-breaker. Malkin will be 40 in July. Going year by year makes sense.

Given the verbiage by both parties, things seem simple.

They probably aren’t.

Reading between the lines — which might be unfair, but it’s all we got — Malkin seems more out than in.

Dubas teased that potential when he said, “At some point, it’s me that’s going to make somebody or the fans unhappy with certain decisions. We always have to do what’s best for the Penguins, whether it’s unpopular or makes people unhappy. That’s how we have to operate, regardless of who they are or how long they’ve been here.”

That spoke louder than saying the Penguins would “love” to have Malkin back. Dubas has to say he wants that.

But it could already be done, and isn’t.

Dubas also referred to the Penguins’ core three of Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang as a “special situation because of the nostalgia of it.”

GMs don’t like nostalgia.

Malkin’s status isn’t the offseason’s biggest potential drama.

Crosby is headed into the last year of his contract. He’s eligible to extend July 1.

What if he doesn’t?

Crosby’s intent has always been to be a Penguins lifer.

But if Crosby doesn’t extend, it ignites talk about crazy possibilities like him leaving via free agency. Or getting traded at the deadline.

As Dubas said, “We always have to do what’s best for the Penguins.” That doesn’t include letting Crosby walk.

All this can be easily quieted: Extend Crosby on July 1. Otherwise, the discussion heats up that day. Not least via the Canadian media, who have fantasized about Crosby’s escape for decades.

Dubas was pragmatic about the state of the Penguins: “I don’t kid myself. We have a long way to return to being a contender.”

That return will not be on the core three’s timetable.

You can’t build on old.

The solution isn’t via free agency, despite the Penguins having $46 million in cap space. Look at the list of unrestricted free agents: Fossils and bums. As Dubas said, “What we were lacking was players in their late 20s, mid-20s, that were real difference makers.”

Dubas likely never planned to re-up Malkin.

Nor does he want to just squeak into the playoffs and get eliminated immediately. Dubas aims to build a legit contender.

Dubas called Crosby “unique” several times on Tuesday.

“Unique” is a group of one, not three.

But no young players are ready to step in as top-six forwards.

The Penguins find themselves, perhaps more than ever, embedded in the mushy middle.

They needed to finish bottom five this past season. What would you rather have, a chance to draft phenom Gavin McKenna or a first-round loss to your bitter rival? A team on the ascension.