This morning the dust is beginning to settle around two powerhouses who were swept in round 1....the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Lightning...
More will be added to this blog today along with our t-shirt winner in the second favorite team contest...
But first this JUST in...
For a few years now there has been a growing knowledge within the Penguins that Evgeni Malkin may very well be ready to take on his own team. I have said this before, but being a #1 center matters a lot more to Russians than people realize. When growing up through the system in Russia there are distinct differences given to first line players, second line players, etc... One former Russian player compared it to being the "ace" on a pitching staff in baseball. The top line matters and the top line center considers himself the team's ace.
Of course this matters in Pittsburgh a ton because Malkin would be the undeniable ace on probably 27 other teams in the NHL...but not this one. The Penguins Ace is undeniably #87. That is not changing any time soon...
And for years Malkin has gone along with that. However, when Crosby has missed time and Malkin was raised to "Ace Status" he has shown another level that he simply doesn't give when he is playing behind Crosby...For whatever reason this is true.
The Penguins are out, and it really shouldn't be a shocker that they are out. Not to pat myself on the back, but I called this. Anyone watching the Penguins play this year could see they would struggle against the Islanders..I didn't pick them to be swept (I said they would win in 6) but the Islanders are a much better team overall and we knew Barry Trotz would be able to game plan a way to keep the Penguins frustrated...
The majority of pundits picked the Penguins based on their past history of being able to throw the switch like they have in the past. The difference here was forward depth and a defense that depends on their forwards keeping the other team too nervous to take chances... The Penguins like to make teams attack then so they can counter with their skill and what has happened in the past is the attacking teams defense starts to get shaky from facing odd man rushes against them.
Trotz didn't bite with the Capitals last year and realized the Islanders could play the same game and the Penguins would look lost and frustrated...If the Islanders face the Capitals it will be an amazing series. The Caps will have to play better than they are playing against Carolina to survive the Islanders.
These Penguins need a really good young top pairing D-man as well as a few experienced D to fill two of the 4-6 spots. A solid defense will allow the Penguins to attack again. Matt Murray will also get a chance to settle back into his dominance.
On Malkin...
All of which brings us to Malkin... Malkin can land the defensive help the Penguins need to keep their window open, and make no mistake here, if they make the right deal the Penguins are right back as a top contender...but it will take guts and to get the right pieces it will take Malkin.
Who will be interested?
One team is very clearly going to be in this conversation, and per my source may already be talking to the Penguins regarding this: The LA Kings. The Kings could offer up their first round pick and some serious prospects...or they could try and swap Drew Doughty PLUS to land Malkin...
But if Malkin is available it won't be only LA talking to Pitt...and it will have to be a place where Malkin is willing to play...where he could be the Ace...
UPDATE>>I was also just told that the if the Penguins are going to move Malkin they have told at least one team that they would like to do so.."ASAP." Obviously, this is a very fluid situation, so stay tuned....and welcome to the Rumors Summer of '19.
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