Malkin Trade Rumors

John Grigg of the Hockey News suggested today that the Pittsburgh Penguins may, or at least should, trade away center Evgeni Malkin. He argues that the Penguins need a good winger to play with Crosby on the first line, andthat Jordan Staal needs more ice time, and that trading away Malkin will give them cap space for a new winger, and will give Staal the second line center spot. I personally think the idea is fascinating, and I think that there's a legitimate chance of it happening. It will be interesting to see if they trade for Crosby's winger, or trade away Malkin and then sign one. This year's free agency group is not particularly impressive so I would guess the former, however, Patrick Marleau played wing this season and had 40 goals, he could be an interesting possibility for them.

Although the chances of this happening are slimmer than the people I've kidnapped and subsequently starved in my cellar, I'd love to see him go to the Rangers. Malkin feeding Gaborik would actually be the greatest thing to watch ever, and not just because of that statement's sexual undertones. He's fairly large, and though he doesn't check or play too much defense, if you put him in the middle of Gaborik and Dubinsky, Dubinsky can provide the grit and physicality. Either way I doubt he'd go there. A trade would most likely involve the Rangers giving up either Callahan or Del Zotto or one of the other good youngsters, and the idea of giving up a member of the team's nucleus might sit too well with all Ranger fans. I think it's a very interesting idea though, we'll see if he ends up going anywhere once July swings around.