To Geno or not to Geno?
For the Penguins this off-season, that is certainly the most emotional question.
Evgeni Malkin will be a free agent July 1. He wants to keep playing, and for the Penguins. He will be 40 when next season begins.
Malkin smoothly switched from center to wing, which curbed him as a defensive/neutral-zone liability.
He had 19 goals and 42 assists in 56 games, sidelined frequently because of injury and suspension. That’s a good point total but low goals for a top-six forward who’s on the No. 1 power play.
Malkin used to be the linchpin of that power play, but no more. He’s lost faith in his one-timer and was a turnover machine on that unit, the biggest reason the Penguins allowed 12 short-handed goals, second-most in the NHL.
Malkin is an unquestioned Penguins legend. A top-three player in franchise history with three Stanley Cups, 533 career goals, two scoring titles, an MVP and a playoff MVP.
But at 40, Malkin won’t get better, nor even likely maintain.
His return won’t enable the Penguins to move forward. You can’t build on old.
Malkin made $4.8 million last season. The Penguins likely won’t replace his production at the same price.
But there’s no guarantee Malkin produces as the same rate. He could. Or the aging process might make him go splat.
By moving to wing, Malkin doesn’t block 19-year-old Ben Kindel from being the No. 2 center.
But Malkin blocks Kindel and/or Egor Chinakhov from the top power play. Both must be on that unit. Kindel has the most power-play acumen on the team. Chinakhov is the best pure shooter.
Malkin can’t be put in a bottom-six role, like aging future Hall-of-Famer Bryan Trottier was on the Penguins’ 1991 and ‘92 Stanley Cup teams. Malkin doesn’t have the skill set or mentality. Trottier did. Malkin wouldn’t accept it, nor would the dressing room’s culture.
If Malkin plays, he will be in the top six and on the top power play. Whether he should be or not.
The presence of Malkin and his older, accomplished ilk mandates that the Penguins play a fast, attacking style. Whether they’re equipped to do it or not.
Culture is a big part of this decision.
At the beginning of this past season, the Penguins had several young players. The dressing room became more vibrant and energetic. The culture was shifting, in a good way. Like in 2016 and ‘17 when players like Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary were arriving.
But the Penguins started 8-2-2. Development at the NHL level got scrapped. Except for Kindel, the kids got phased down and out.
It became an old men’s dressing room. You can’t build on old.
President of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas knows that. It’s doubtful that he’s ever planned on retaining Malkin.
But a lot of factors go into this decision.
Sidney Crosby wants Malkin back. Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang have been teammates for 20 seasons. Crosby referred to Malkin and Letang as “family” following the Penguins’ playoff elimination.
The Penguins are getting new owners, the Hoffman family. Not keeping Malkin makes them the carpetbagging bad guys. They might not want that. (That was a big part of Fenway Sports Group re-upping Malkin and Letang in 2022.)
The fans undoubtedly want Malkin back.
Malkin might go to another NHL team if the Penguins don’t retain him. My guess would be Philadelphia, which could use a veteran winner to help guide an up-and-coming young group. Coach Rick Tocchet is certainly familiar with Malkin, having been an assistant with the Penguins from 2014-17. Malkin to the Flyers would be bad optics.
The decision depends on priorities.
The object is to build a championship-caliber team. Not scratch and claw into the playoffs, then lose in the first round.
How much does nostalgia matter? Allegiance to those who have helped make the franchise great?
What about ticket and merchandise sales? The Penguins ranked sixth from bottom in NHL attendance this season, with an average of 7.1% of the seats empty.
I wouldn’t bring Malkin back.
I won’t be outraged if the Penguins do.
It’s a complex decision.
The absolute deal-breaker would be if Malkin wants a two-year contract, as is whispered. Malkin can’t get term longer than Crosby.
If you give Malkin one more season, he’ll want another after that. It gets unpleasant at the end, no matter when the end comes.