I spent the day at the Winter Classic site, and I must say that they've done an amazing job. Back when the introductory press conference was held in September, it was hard to visualize Citizens Bank Park and the surrounding complex turned into a hockey mecca. The transformation has been incredible to behold.

This evening, I'm chasing down several intriguing rumors this evening while watching as much of the Flyers-Penguins showdown as possible. In watching Evgeni Malkin's game take off over the last month, it has become apparent to me that he's embraced the challenge of leading the Penguins now that Sidney Crosby is out again indefinitely.

Malkin has certainly had similar stretches before -- with and without Crosby -- but now that the big Russian forward is fully healthy again and a little more mature as a player, he truly looks like the total package as a potential Hart Trophy candidate. I'm not sure he'd have been played at quite this level if Crosby had not been lost to another concussion.

What's the Buzz? Hass Malkin a better player as Pittsburgh's undisputed top center?

Back late tonight or early tomorrow with a slew of rumor updates.