Who could the Penguins explore as their second-line center?

If Evgeni Malkin winds up leaving the Pittsburgh Penguins, it won’t be easy to replace him. In fact, it probably will be impossible.

But someone has to be the second-line center.

There will be options on the free-agent market, which opens at noon Wednesday. But they aren’t plentiful.

Here are the leading candidates the Penguins could kick the tires on, in alphabetical order:

• Andrew Copp — Capable of playing center or right wing, Copp, who turned 28 on Friday, came through with a career season in a contract year as he put up 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 72 games between the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers in 2021-22. A strong presence in the faceoff circle (53.2 %), Copp was a force in the postseason with the Rangers, collecting 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 20 games.

• Nazem Kadri — A valuable component to the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup championship last season, he was third on that stacked squad in scoring with 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 games while playing a combative two-way style. But considering he will turn 32 in November, age is a legitimate concern when it comes to potentially extending a multiyear contract offer.

• Dylan Strome — A former star with the Erie Otters, Strome was the third overall selection of the 2015 draft by the Arizona Coyotes but largely has failed to live up to expectations. He broke through last season with the Chicago Blackhawks at age 25 with a career-high 22 goals as well as 48 points in 69 games but did not receive a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent because of the Blackhawks’ intentions to completely rebuild that franchise.

• Ryan Strome — The more accomplished of the Strome brothers, Ryan was a fully capable No. 2 center for the New York Rangers who lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final last season. More of a playmaker than a goal-scorer, especially on the power play, Strome appeared in 74 games in 2021-22 and set a career high with 21 goals while posting 54 points. The fifth overall pick in the 2011 draft, Strome celebrated his 29th birthday Monday.

• Vince Trocheck — A native of Upper St. Clair, Trocheck maintains a full-time home in the region. Beyond provincial interests, Trocheck plays a pretty complete two-way game. Trocheck, who also turned 29 on Monday, appeared in 81 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and scored 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) while being stout in the faceoff circle (54.6%).