Evgeni Malkin spoke to the media for the first time today. He’s been recovering from knee surgery for months. He is also skating full contact for the first time and his return is imminent. He won’t be playing in the next game, but should be hitting the road with the team and will make his debut then, per him.
Evgeni Malkin says he won’t play Sunday. Thinks he’ll play on the western road trip.
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) December 29, 2021
Great news. Aside from helping the team win the entire purpose of why we watch the games, read/write articles, and discuss them is for entertainment reasons. There are few players who have been more entertaining to watch as a Penguin than Malkin, especially so nowadays. The games will be way more interesting, at least to me.
Here is Malkin talking about the last six months
Geno speaks pic.twitter.com/vsNh18OKzr
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) December 29, 2021
Malkin also discussed his long-term future and if you take his answers verbatim I think it bodes well for the team. First, he doesn’t sound too concerned about money
Geno Malkin on not worrying about his next contract: “I’m a pretty rich guy.…
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) December 29, 2021
I’ve always gotten the vibe that Malkin does authentically want to stay in Pittsburgh. He knows he won’t be making the same money as his previous contract. I think if he did the Sidney Crosby supersticious thing 7.1M would be a fair number for both sides.
For how long? Geno has an answer for that, too.
Malkin says he wants to play for three or four more years.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) December 29, 2021
I would sign him to a four-year deal at 7.1M per season in March/April after we see how he responds to the surgery. No need to rush it in the moment. Personally, I think he will still be strong player. I think this will be the general framework of a potential contract if he signs in Pittsburgh.
As for the present the Penguins have a number of players in COVID protocol including Kasperi Kapanen who was added today. The others include: Evan Rodrigues, Teddy Blueger, Tristan Jarry, John Marino, Mike Matheson, Dominik Simon, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
Here are what the lines looked like today
Geno looks to be back in his usual spot during rushes at Penguins practice...👀
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) December 29, 2021
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Heinen-Malkin-Carter
Aston-Reese—O'Connor-McGinn
Boyle-Bjorkqvist
Letang-Dumoulin
Pettersson-Ruhwedel
Riikola-Friedman
It looks like Sid will be keeping his normal linemates, can’t say I’m surprised there. It is great to see both Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust out there after their respective injuries.
I am happy to see Heinen getting a look on the Malkin line. It will be nice to see how that goes with plenty of time left in the regular season in case it doesn’t pan out. If it does... great news for how you can allocate the depth of the roster. As for Carter on the wing I’ll believe it when I see it when everybody is back out of quarantine status.
Rumor has it the Penguins play in two days. It has felt like an offseason lately so it will be nice to have a game back.
Thanks for reading!