Evgeni Malkin seems to be at the center of an endless amount of trade rumors, and one NHL insider has seen enough and has chimed in with his opinion.
The Penguins are having a pretty bad year, ranking seventh in the Metropolitan Division. Not surprisingly, their mediocre play has led to trade rumors, but one got the attention of team insider Rob Rossi of 'The Athletic'.
Rob Rossi strongly denied the rumor and canceled claims that Evgeni Malkin would go to the Dallas Stars, though independent reports had suggested otherwise since recently.
«Last few years it seems like 25 percent of my job is shooting down nonsense about Sidney Crosby leaving Pittsburgh,» the Penguin beat reporter posted. «Annoying. Whatever. Anyway, take what I said about Crosby - it's never happening - and apply it to Evgeni Malkin. Good grief, make it stop.»
With Tyler Seguin out for the remainder of the regular season, Dallas picked up substantial cap space for potential moves at the trade deadline and Evgeni Malkin's name came out as a target.
Since signing a four-year, $24.4 million contract in July 2022 set to expire after the 2025-26 season, Malkin has expressed his desire to retire in Pittsburgh.
He's emphasized the importance of staying with close friends and teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Though general manager Kyle Dubas has already made roster adjustments amid the Penguins' rough start, Malkin has not changed course.
Both Malkin and Sidney Crosby have stated their commitment to staying with the Penguins, and Rossi has called for an end to trade rumors involving the team's star players.