There's a non-zero chance that Saturday's Game against the Flyers could be Evgeni Malkin's last game in a Penguins uniform.
Though Kyle Dubas has vowed to wait until the offseason to discuss a potential contract with Malkin, and Malkin himself doesn't exactly seem worried about his future beyond this year, the fact remains that he's without a contract.
Malkin seemed optimistic about his chances of getting more time in a Penguins uniform on Friday.
"I mean, I hope it's not over," Malkin said of the series. "I hope we're still fighting. And my future? Again, I say the same thing. I want to be here. I want to be part of this team next year too, and I want to be retired in Pittsburgh. But it's not my choice. You know, it's (Kyle Dubas') decision, the new owners, probably too. I just play my game tomorrow, and I hope it's not over and we're back to Pittsburgh, because we want to play to our fans too. They deserve that we play at home."
Just my view of it: Malkin has always come off as optimistic about staying in Pittsburgh ever since the trade deadline. But he's frequently made those little comments about it being on Dubas -- and now he adds onto that with the comment about ownership -- which to me, comes off as him putting a bit of light pressure on those people in terms of public opinion. Last time he spoke before today he was asked about playing wing vs. center, and he quipped that the media should "ask Kyle what he loves" as far as Malkin's position.
If Malkin was seriously doubting his chances of returning, though, I don't think he'd be cracking the jokes about his future the way he is. After his media availability today he mocked the question about his future and asked Dan Potash about his own "future," and was laughing at his own jokes as he walked out of the room saying he hopes it's at least Potash's last year here.
Malkin's making a good case to return as he leads the Penguins in goals and points this postseason, albeit a low bar to clear with just two goals and an assist in three games. He's also well aware, though, that his production is all meaningless if the Penguins have an early exit this spring.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "If we lose 3-0 in series and I scored 10 goals, it's not help. I'm trying to do my best, but I can do better. Every player here in the locker room can play better. It's not about goals. It's blocking shots. Philly's blocking like 25 shots every game, and we only, like, 10 or 12. I have a couple penalties too. I need to stay on the ice, be focused, you know? We need to play better. It's not all about goals."
THE ASYLUM
Malkin: 'I hope it's not over'
There's a non-zero chance that Saturday's Game against the Flyers could be Evgeni Malkin's last game in a Penguins uniform.
Though Kyle Dubas has vowed to wait until the offseason to discuss a potential contract with Malkin, and Malkin himself doesn't exactly seem worried about his future beyond this year, the fact remains that he's without a contract.
Malkin seemed optimistic about his chances of getting more time in a Penguins uniform on Friday.
"I mean, I hope it's not over," Malkin said of the series. "I hope we're still fighting. And my future? Again, I say the same thing. I want to be here. I want to be part of this team next year too, and I want to be retired in Pittsburgh. But it's not my choice. You know, it's (Kyle Dubas') decision, the new owners, probably too. I just play my game tomorrow, and I hope it's not over and we're back to Pittsburgh, because we want to play to our fans too. They deserve that we play at home."
Just my view of it: Malkin has always come off as optimistic about staying in Pittsburgh ever since the trade deadline. But he's frequently made those little comments about it being on Dubas -- and now he adds onto that with the comment about ownership -- which to me, comes off as him putting a bit of light pressure on those people in terms of public opinion. Last time he spoke before today he was asked about playing wing vs. center, and he quipped that the media should "ask Kyle what he loves" as far as Malkin's position.
If Malkin was seriously doubting his chances of returning, though, I don't think he'd be cracking the jokes about his future the way he is. After his media availability today he mocked the question about his future and asked Dan Potash about his own "future," and was laughing at his own jokes as he walked out of the room saying he hopes it's at least Potash's last year here.
Malkin's making a good case to return as he leads the Penguins in goals and points this postseason, albeit a low bar to clear with just two goals and an assist in three games. He's also well aware, though, that his production is all meaningless if the Penguins have an early exit this spring.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "If we lose 3-0 in series and I scored 10 goals, it's not help. I'm trying to do my best, but I can do better. Every player here in the locker room can play better. It's not about goals. It's blocking shots. Philly's blocking like 25 shots every game, and we only, like, 10 or 12. I have a couple penalties too. I need to stay on the ice, be focused, you know? We need to play better. It's not all about goals."
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