One of the irresistible things people outside of the Penguins fanbase have taken part in over the years is trying to plot Evgeni Malkin’s exit from Pittsburgh. It seemed for a while there were always Kings rumors, then we had the infamous David Backes and TJ Oshie for Malkin nonsense that aged like milk, and of course, the is he going to go back to Russia to end his career rumors which have been around seemingly forever. None have materialized and it sounds like none ever will. Don’t take it from me, hear it from Evgeni himself.

“I not retire,” Malkin said to The Athletic on Wednesday. “I know what some people say — like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team. But I never say it, you know?

“I retire with Pittsburgh. The Penguins are my team. I love this team. When I retire it’s here.”

“I retire here — with Penguins — when it happens,” Malkin said. “This is my only team.”

“I not play in Russia after Pittsburgh,” Malkin said Wednesday. “Maybe one game for home team in Russia. Just one to say goodbye.”

I don’t think this is all that surprising. Malkin has been a Penguin through and through from the second he escaped Russia via Finland to get to Los Angeles to begin his first season, to the three Stanley Cups, Calder Trophy, Hart Trophy, two Art Ross trophies, the Conn Smythe, and the Ted Lindsay. This is where he wants to be much like his friends, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.

He is still a very functional player even if he has started to show his age this season. His 1.82 points per 60 at 5v5 is reasonable and is 4th best on the team behind Crosby, Rust, and Rakell. He is not holding the team back and his contract is still good value. The idea he is blocking or hampering the team is a ludicrous accusation.

Given how much Malkin, Crosby, and Letang have done for the franchise I feel strongly it is their call on how things play out. If they all want to finish in Pittsburgh they should be granted their request. It is very likely next year is Malkin’s last and it will be in Pittsburgh exactly where it should be.

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Last night I joined Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo to talk about the Penguins upcoming trade deadline



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