Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have been the backbone of the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise for about a decade now.
However, both of those players are coming up on the end of their careers. If there is one thing for certain right now, it is that these guys want to go out there and win another Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, the Penguins aren't a very good team right now. They have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. Moreover, some fans out there believe the team will not be able to turn it around this season.
Recently, Malkin spoke with The Athletic about his time in Pittsburgh and the struggles of the last two years. As you will read, there is nothing that Malkin wants more than to make the playoffs at least one more time before he retires.
I love the playoffs so much,' Malkin said. 'I need to feel it again. I couldn't leave if I never play in the playoffs again. Not until then.''I was so mad the last two years,' Malkin said. 'Missing the playoffs by one or two points. Terrible.'
When you consider just how awful the Penguins have been as of late, the only conclusion that you can come to is that a trade might just be imminent for Malkin. It is sad but true. While we're sure he would rather prove he can win again in Pittsburgh, that might not be possible given the team's current roster.
Source: The Athletic
Penguins' Evgeni Malkin is aging, changing and not done yet
