We have approached the annual PIttsburgh Penguin tradition. When and where will Evgeni Malkin be traded?
"They're not trading Crosby, but I will tell you this. There have been rumors about Malkin's happiness," Friedman said. "About whether or not he wants to stay, and I think (Morehouse's comments were) directed exactly at them."I have no idea if the Penguins are going to trade Malkin. I would suspect no until a sale gets done. But I can tell you this – there are people around the league who have been saying they've been hearing rumors that Malkin is not happy and would welcome a change of scenery."
Elliotte is excellent at his job but I have a lot of reservations about this kind of heresay. If this were to show up in his 30 thoughts column with some more detail and perhaps have some direct quotes it would hold more water.
Agent JP Barry, on Malkin-wants-traded speculation: "I don't know where this is coming from. Not from me or Geno. I'm trying to ignore it."
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) June 5, 2015
I can tell you this...if Evgeni Malkin isn't happy with the Penguins, this is news to the Penguins. He's not communicated that to them.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) June 5, 2015
Evgeni Malkin had Blake Comeau and Nick Spaling on his wing for extended periods of time last year. It is entirely possible and acceptable for him to be upset and also not want out of town.
@GunnerStaal Yeah but what's he ever done in the playoffs except win as many Conn Smythes as Toews and Kane while scoring at a higher rate?
— Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) June 5, 2015
Oh. I missed another Evgeni Malkin thing today. Fun. Has there ever been a player traded more times without ever actually being traded?
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) June 6, 2015
@GunnerStaal I don't think any other team in the league forces their star players to prop up grinders the way that PIT does
— VBstone (@vinnybatts) June 5, 2015
The reason this happens is because the organization throws money away on below average players year after year. The organization has shown some signs of moving away from that mindset, but it will take more than one offseason to fix the blunders of yesteryear.
Crosby and Malkin both have the right to be upset and should be. Their prime has been wasted to this point because of the desire to acquire as much character, grit, and experience as possible.
Here is to hoping that potential new ownership sees the value in endorsing a progressive and modern General Manager willing to use a process and not hunches. Hunches are sporadic and unreliable. A process isn't right 100% of the time but you'll never steer completely off the road. If the Penguins were a car they would be one of AAA's best customers.
Have these rumors upset Malkin?
Any fin is possible, if you reely try. pic.twitter.com/hvRCyyTO6d
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 5, 2015
It appears The Summer of Malkin sequel is well on its way, 412 hat and all.
Thanks for reading!
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