As the NHL season progresses, one thing is known: the Pittsburgh Penguins are certainly better than anyone expected. Where does the magic lie? Is Dan Muse breathing new life into the Penguins, or is it the exceptional goaltending skills of Tristan Jarry or veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson finally rising to the occasion in Pittsburgh? Moreover, the face of the franchise, Sidney Crosby, has become the Penguins’ highest scorer yet, surpassing Mario Lemieux.
It remains to be seen if Pittsburgh can keep up going forward, but the start has been promising. However, despite its triumphant campaign so far, away from the ice, the Penguins’ management has attracted the ire of veteran forward Evgeni Malkin.
Why are Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins Management at Loggerheads?
Seven games into the season, Malkin has already established that he remains the one to watch out for despite his veteran status. With ten points already under his wing this season, the 39-year-old has 1356 points in 1220 regular-season games across his vast NHL career.
However, despite the mind-numbing success, Malkin awaits a contract extension. As he approaches the conclusion of his four-year, $24.4 million contract with Pittsburgh, Kyle Dubas and the party are yet to make an offer to prolong the forward’s stay.
How is Malkin taking the no-contract-extension situation? As per the Athletic’s Josh Yohe’s recent mailbag, not too well. But that is barely an impediment to Malkin’s performance on ice. In fact, if this season turns out to be the 39-year-old’s last, he might as well put on a show. “Evgeni Malkin is upset that he hasn’t been offered another contract, and, if this is his last season, he wants to put on a final show.”
What keeps Dubas from moving to retain one of the Penguins’ cornerstones? For starters, the Penguins have plenty of options for draft picks in the coming days, and they might as well prioritize the youth to energize the franchise. However, despite being spoiled for choice regarding draft picks, Dubas is unlikely to trade away Malkin.
Given Pittsburgh’s performance this season, Yohe adds that the GM will perhaps refrain from trading any core pieces if the team continues to produce at this level. “The future is Dubas’ priority, and it should be. However, I sense that if the Penguins produce a magical season and give themselves a chance to reach the postseason, Dubas wouldn’t do much to harm their cause.”
In September, Malkin expressed his desire to continue playing with the Penguins. The veteran believed he had one more season in him, and if given the opportunity, he would take it.
“It depends on how the season goes. If we play great, I play great, I feel confident with my game, why not one more? Again, preseason is huge for the team and for me, myself. I’m still hungry. I’m glad to be here this year,” the 39-year-old stated, according to independent NHL correspondent, Wes Crosby.
If this is Malkin’s final show, he is already living up to it. Will he lift one final Stanley Cup before bidding farewell to the Penguins?
