For nearly 20 years, the Pittsburgh Penguins have had the luxury of rolling out Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as their one-two center punch. Despite being two decades into their careers they are still leading the way and anchoring down the strongest part of the Penguins roster.
Pittsburgh Penguins (T2) – While Sidney Crosby still looks like one of the NHL’s best centres at the age of 38, Evgeni Malkin has shown real signs of slowing down. Malkin is in the final year of his contract and with Pittsburgh staring down the barrel of a considerable organizational rebuild, you have to wonder if he’s yet another potential trade deadline candidate, a la Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, or Erik Karlsson. One reason to hold out hope for a bounce-back season? New running mates. Malkin and most common linemate Michael Bunting – now with the Nashville Predators – were outscored at a staggering rate 30-to-11 (-19) in 2024-25.
Tier two is the highest ranking this current Penguins team has been able to earn and that is with Sidney Crosby still playing at a high level. So, even though it is an acceptable ranking, it still isn’t very good considering Sid’s current contributions. This used to be an area where you could have created an additional tier at the top with only the Penguins on the strength of 87 and 71 alone. Crosby is the one anchoring this where it is.
Sidney Crosby is coming off his record setting 20th consecutive season with over a point per game average, besting another center you may have heard of, Wayne Gretzky. Sid finished 2024-25 with 33 goals and 91 points in 80 games played. His consistency is second to none.
While Sid rightfully gets the spotlight, Evgeni Malkin is still here doing his thing. The aging curve has finally caught up to Geno, but that doesn’t mean it has conquered him like it does with most 39 year old players. Malkin is still a decent player. He registered 50 points in 68 games. The numbers don’t pop like they used to and neither does his quality of teammate. His most common linemate last year was Michael Bunting (386 minutes). His second most common linemate was Rickard Rakell (312 minutes) until he was moved onto Crosby’s wing. The next most common linemates were Philip Tomasino (250 minutes) and Anthony Beauvillier (162 minutes). Outside of Rakell not exactly the help a top six center is looking for.
As it stands now, Malkin is due to get some linemates with a potential higher ceiling, at least until Rust and Rakell are traded. If Crosby keeps the two veteran wingers it should leave Malkin with upstart Ville Koivunen and Anthony Mantha who will be looking to rebound from knee surgery after missing most of 2024-25.
Fresh face on the Penguins
Looking to take over the third line center role will be Tommy Novak who was acquired from the Nashville Predators last season. Novak unfortunately was injured almost immediately after joining the Penguins and only played in two games for Pittsburgh before missing the remainder of the season. Novak gives the Penguins some potential depth offense as he carries a solid offensive profile
I liked the acquisition of Novak and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with an extended look at being the Penguins third line center.
The center depth rounds out with numerous options like Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte, and Connor Dewar. Some of these players will find themselves on the wing with one of them taking over the fourth line center duties.
Dark horse candidate
A dark horse to land an NHL job at the center position is a former Penguins prospect who has rejoined the organization, Filip Hallander. Hallander has rejoined the Penguins in North American after spending two seasons in the SHL in Sweden. Last year he had an impressive campaign putting up 53 points in 51 games. Using the NHLe calculator that translates into 51 points in 82 NHL games. So there might be something here and it might be more than a fourth line center.
So there is still some strength up the middle being led by Sidney Crosby. If players like Tommy Novak and Filip Hallander can step up the center depth will look even better.
Feels like Hayes will be our 4th line center and if we have to, a great depth trade at the deadline for some playoff team. Hoping we don’t have to and realistic that he’s not going to fetch a bounty.
If Sullivan were still the coach, I would guarantee Hayes would get a jersey every night. However, they brought in a coach who reportedly is a developmental guy. Some of these old guys will be watching….as they should. Hayes was better than I thought last year, there might be a market for him as a rental.