Penguins A to Z: Evgeni Malkin can still dominate
While the NHL is on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 55 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.
Player: Evgeni Malkin
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Age: 33
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 195 pounds
2019-20 NHL statistics: 55 games, 74 points (25 goals, 49 assists)
Contract: Sixth year of an eight-year contract with a salary cap hit of $9.5 million. Unrestricted free agent in 2022.
Acquired: Draft, first round (No. 2 overall), July 26, 2004
This season: When Evgeni Malkin arrived to training camp in the late summer of 2018, he spoke of trying to keep up with younger stars such as Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon. He also said he was confident he still could dominate in the NHL for another five or six years.
Malkin then proceeded to stagger through an unimpressive 2018-19 season in which he only played 68 games and put up a mundane 72 points (21 goals, 51 assists), one of the lowest totals in his Hockey Hall-of-Fame career.
Last offseason, Malkin made adjustments to his workout regimen and, by most accounts, came back in optimal condition for a star approaching his mid-30s.
Malkin would miss 11 games throughout October and November after being injured in the second game of the season. But once he was able-bodied, Malkin showed he was still capable of being a driving force on the ice.
Beyond the base numbers, Malkin was a much more committed player at five-on-five play and didn’t necessarily rely on the power play to inflate his scoring totals. Additionally, he displayed a greater level of discipline by avoiding the stick-related penalties that have bedeviled him throughout his career. Averaging 1.05 penalty minutes per game, Malkin saw a considerable drop from the 1.31 he averaged in 2018-19.
The Penguins needed Malkin to provide stability throughout November, December and January while No. 1 center Sidney Crosby was sidelined by a core muscle injury. During that span, Malkin produced 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 26 games.
Entering the season, there was speculation over who Malkin would work with after long-time linemate Phil Kessel was traded during the 2019 offseason. He found a suitable replacement in right winger Bryan Rust, who has set career highs with 25 goals and 56 points in 55 games this season.
The future: Assuming the NHL’s season resumes, Malkin again will serve as the best No. 2 center in the NHL.
His left wing is a source of speculation. With the February acquisition of Jason Zucker and the presumed return of a healthy Jake Guentzel, the Penguins have a embarrassment of riches to consider for that role.
While the Penguins’ power play has been largely inconsistent, Malkin remains their most consistent entity in that realm. Blessed with a thunderclap of a one-timer from the right circle, he leads the team with 24 power-play points (seven goals, 17 assists).
Malkin might not be a leading contender for individual awards such as the Hart Memorial Trophy, which he won in 2012, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still dominate a game.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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