Saturday, February 9th, 2008 by Adam Wagner
Just how good is Evgeni Malkin?
Evgeni Malkin is a superstar and the media is beginning to realize it. After Malkin led the Penguins to a 4-2 victory over the Kings on Saturday, a game in which Malkin came about nine inches to the right of missing a hat trick, there were articles on almost all of the national websites (CBS Sportsline, ESPN and Fox) about how he may be presenting a sudden challenge to Sidney Crosby’s status as number one center of the Pittsburgh Penguins. That may be a complete fallacy, but Malkin certainly is improving as he develops into one of the top players in the NHL.
Take into account the fact that the Penguins are 5-3-2 without Sidney Crosby in the lineup, a much better record than anyone expected them to have. It is unfair to put all credit for the relative success of the team at the feet of Malkin as other players such as Jordan Staal and Eric Christiansen have stepped up, but he certainly deserves a sizable portion of it. Malkin has racked up 17 points over that period of time and played the best hockey of his North American career.
In helping alleviate the loss of Crosby, Malkin has revealed himself revealed that, amazingly enough, the Penguins actually do have two number one center, something that he couldn’t be with Crosby in the lineup because Michel Therrien insisted that the two stars play on the same line. Now it should be more clear than ever to Ray Shero, Therrien, and the fans of Pittsburgh that Malkin and Crosby are wasted playing on the same line, particularly if both players have skilled and motivated linemates.
This became an issue with Malkin earlier in the year as the other players on his line, meaning basically all of the wingers, failed to perform, resulting in his being placed on Crosby’s line in an effort to maximize both players’ production. Malkin, however, has shown that if given decent players around him he can be one of the two or three best players in hockey. At this instant, for example, he is four points behind Alexander Ovechkin for the NHL’s scoring lead. If he had been playing in position all season, Malkin may be running away with the title right now.
Shero should be working the phone more than ever to acquire an elite winger to go along with the Pens’ core of decent but, before Crosby was injured, underperforming players. If this can be done, the Penguins will have the confidence and the skill level to go as far as everyone thought they would before the season.
Remember, they’re first in the Atlantic Division right now. Imagine how could they could be if things start going right.
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