Are the Pittsburgh Penguins truly rebuilding?
Or are they splitting the difference between rebuilding and reaping nostalgia created by the core three of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin indulging the unbreakable bond of eternal brotherhood? (It’s a truly compelling story. It’s also one reason the Penguins are in this mess.)
Now provides a chance to find out.
Aleksander Barkov, the top center for two-time defending champ Florida, is very likely out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Malkin has one year left on his contract and owns a home in South Florida.
Malkin recently mused upon the idea of winning a Stanley Cup somewhere else. Like Brad Marchand did last season. In Florida.
Not sure if the Panthers would be interested in Malkin, 39 and fading.
But if the Penguins are truly rebuilding, president of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas should find out.
If Malkin would be likely to again raise his game, even for a short time, it would almost certainly be in a situation like Florida. The adrenaline of legit contention in a place he’s already comfortable. Malkin has a no-movement clause, but Florida might be the one destination that would make him waive it.
Malkin makes an affordable $6.1 million.
Florida gets salary cap relief on Barkov’s $10 million hit. (But if Barkov returns for the postseason, there’s a playoff cap now.)
Juggernaut winger Matthew Tkachuk is out long-term, too. The Panthers have to make moves.
If the numbers crunch, acquiring Malkin seems a risk Florida might take. A stop-gap gamble as the Panthers try to three-peat. The return wouldn’t have to be much.
But the Penguins won’t trade Malkin.
Because the Penguins aren’t really rebuilding.
There are certainly elements of rebuilding. Dubas is restocking the Penguins’ system.
But when you have Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, you’re not fully committed to rebuilding. (These Penguins won’t be good enough to make the playoffs, but they might not be bad enough to get a top-five draft pick.)
So, just hand out bobbleheads.
