GENO VS. CUTCH

Evgeni Malkin wants to play another season. The Penguins haven't yet said yes or no. Here's an excerpt from my latest column for TribLive.com.

Tampa Bay faced a similar situation with Steven Stamkos in 2024.

Stamkos had just scored 40 goals. He’s a nailed-on Lightning legend, having helped them win two Stanley Cups and netting 555 career goals for the Bolts.

But Stamkos was 33. Tampa Bay let him go, instead signing Jake Guentzel, who was 29 when he joined the Lightning. Guentzel scored 41 goals in his first season with the team, 26 so far this campaign, and Tampa Bay sits atop the Atlantic Division.

If the Penguins let Malkin go, somebody will replace him. Tampa Bay moved on from Stamkos and didn’t miss a beat. Got younger, maybe better.

To read more, click HERE.

Some are comparing Malkin's situation to Andrew McCutchen's, apparently ex- of the Pirates.

But it's not very similar.

Malkin is currently averaging over a point per game. McCutchen hit just.239 last season.

Malkin won three Stanley Cups, two scoring titles, an MVP, a playoff MVP and best rookie. McCutchen won an MVP.

Malkin is a career Penguin. McCutchen left the Pirates from 2018-22 to get better opportunity financially and competitively. (He still never won a playoff series.)

Malkin is going to be a Hall-of-Famer. McCutchen won't.

But Malkin and McCutchen do have something in common: Neither has ever been treated badly by their Pittsburgh employers.

McCutchen has no legit complaint about his end with the Pirates. Nor would Malkin with the Penguins, if that's what happens.