A blockbuster trade proposal has the Pittsburgh Penguins beginning their inevitable rebuild by dealing franchise icon and star center Evgeni Malkin to an Eastern Conference heavyweight.
Evgeni Malkin is in the third season of a four-year, $24.4 million extension he signed with the Penguins in the 2022 offseason. Pittsburgh has missed the postseason in consecutive years for the first time in the Sidney Crosby era, and they certainly don’t look anything like a contender this season (6-8-2 through 16 games).
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas hasn’t at all indicated that he wants to rebuild. It’s understandable that the Pens would like Malkin, Crosby and Kris Letang to finish their careers right where it started.
But the Penguins’ biggest mistake would be holding onto these veterans until there’s little to no trade value. Just look at what the Chicago Blackhawks did with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Corey Crawford and Brent Seabrook following their dynastic run.
A user at PuckPedia proposed a blockbuster trade idea that has Pittsburgh trading Evgeni Malkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Nicholas Robertson, blueline prospect Topi Niemelä and three draft picks (2025 second and third-rounders and a 2026 third-rounder).
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The Leafs have made the playoffs in eight straight years, but they have just a single postseason series to show for it (2023). Adding a three-time Stanley Cup champion and future Hall of Famer like Malkin would go a long way in bolstering their championship odds.
Maple Leafs Are The Ideal Landing Spot For Evgeni Malkin
Surely, Malkin will want to play for a Stanley Cup contender if he agrees to a trade. Joining a star-studded Toronto team led by Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares would give Malkin the golden opportunity to win a fourth ring before he calls it quits.
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