Entering the season the mainline train of thought surrounding Evgeni Malkin is that this will be his last year in the NHL. Some people are even talking about it as a certainty. Should we? Personally, I think we are getting ahead of ourselves here with the veteran Penguins star.
I certainly think this could be his last season in the NHL. If he loses another step and looks closer to mediocre than good (he was good last year), it might be that time. It would be understandable for the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer to self-reflect.
Conversely, what if he plays well again? What does Geno even think about all this? He spoke to the rumors of his career ending at training camp
“I’m not happy with how I played the last couple of years,” said Malkin, who is entering his 20th season, all with the Penguins. “If it’s my last year here, I want to show everything.”
“It depends on how the season is going,” he said. “If we play great, and I play great, and I feel confident and show my game — why not one more year? The season is huge for me, my team, myself. I’m still hungry.”
Penguins shouldn’t rush to end the Malkin era
The veteran Russian center is one of Pittsburgh’s Mount Rushmore players. He says, flat out, he wants to play another season if his play dictates it. Patience is a virtue here. See how it goes first.
If Malkin comes out and can play at a respectable level, fans have every right to be upset if the Pens strong-arm him into retirement.
Pittsburgh won’t mess up the rebuild if they re-sign a functional Evgeni Malkin. Additionally, he won’t hurt cap management on a one-year, incentive loaded over-25 contract. If Pittsburgh needs to make a move to wing part. It’s easy: move him to wing.
Take an honest player at his word
I hope Dubas has an open mind when this time comes. If Geno shows through his play he’s still good for it, he should be able to play at least one more year. And as I said the other day, I doubt Sidney Crosby would leave Geno behind so a potential contract extension might be what keeps Crosby in the Steel City.
