Blurbs From The Burgh: Malkin's A Star
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Feb 12, 01:18 PM | Hype this story!
Malkin Makes 3 Stars List
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has found himself in the shadows for most of his brief two-year career. But, with Sidney Crosby nursing an ankle sprain, Malkin has stepped into the spotlight in a big way, scoring 15 points in his previous five games.
For his unbelievable performances last week, Malkin was named the second star in the NHL. During that span, he had three goals an nine assists for 12 points in four games.
“He’s just amazing,” defenseman Ryan Whitney said to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It’s great to see. It’s really good for us, the way he’s kind of taken charge.”
Taken charge would be putting it lightly.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Malkin was ranked 14th in the NHL with 52 points. Now he is ranked second in the NHL with 63, and is just three points behind fellow countryman Alexander Ovechkin for the league lead.
And, though Malkin is is proving his star power without Crosby he told Molinari through interpreter George Birman that the team still belongs to Crosby.
“It’s very hard to play without him. He’s the leader of the team, and we can’t wait until he comes back on the ice.”
Trades Won’t Be Big, Says Shero
“I think we’re in a good position,” Shero told Molinari. “I think you’re looking to add [to the major-league roster] rather than to subtract, from a position like ours. But it depends. You never know.”
Though the Penguins have been linked to superstar free agents to be, such as Marian Hossa and Mats Sundin, it doesn’t appear Shero is willing to make that kind of splash.
“I want to talk to the coaches over the next week to see what they see from our team, and have [more scouting meetings] as we go forward. Fill our group in as to what could be available and what the cost is, knowing that we’re still going to be a league next year and the year after.”
Stone Demoted, Goligoski Stays
Penguins rookie forward Ryan Stone has been returned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton “Baby” Penguins of the AHL. He had been a healthy scratch in recent games and team officials wanted him to get more ice time.
The same cannot be said for rookie defenseman Alex Goligoski, who has been with the team for a week, but has yet to see game action.
According to general manager Ray Shero, management had a longstanding plan to promote Goligoski after the All Star break to see what he is capable of in practice.
And, while he hasn’t seen any game action yet, Shero didn’t rule it out.
“Maybe he’ll get into a game,” Shero said. “We’ll see how he does.”
Comments
DaBich
Feb 12, 02:07 PM
The more I think about it, the more I DON’T want Shero to make any “big” trades. I think we have enough depth to wait and see how this team pans out in the next season. I think with the guys stepping up their play the way they are, it’s all going to make next season even better. A veteran d-man would be nice, but not if he’s expensive. Keep it simple.
Matt Bodenschatz
Feb 12, 02:52 PM
I agree. The team is on fire. Maybe a tweak here and there would be nice…a scoring winger for Crosby and a shutdown defenseman, to be specific. We’ll see what happens!
Nathan
Feb 12, 04:33 PM
I would love to see a move for a scoring winger that could keep up with Crosby. Then put Armstrong or a Kennedy up on that line, and keep Malkin and Staal’s lines together.
I pray Therrien at least finds a way to keep Malkin’s line together when Crosby gets back.
Matt Bodenschatz
Feb 12, 10:11 PM
I think, at least if the injured players all were to return today, this is what you’d see:
Kennedy – Crosby – Christensen
Malone – Malkin – Sykora
Roberts – Staal – Talbot
Ruutu – Taffe – Laraque
ex: Hall, Armstrong
Armstrong and Beech have played invisible hockey of late, and Taffe has played well enough to supplant Hall. Smith has done his job, but he’s better than Roberts.
Of course, a lot can change between now and the time Roberts, Crosby, Kennedy, Hall, and others return. The trade deadline is drawing near, and I’m certain Shero will make some form of deal, though it likely won’t be earth shattering. More injuries could happen. Players could play themselves into a dog house. You name it.
DaBich
Feb 13, 05:32 AM
If MT breaks up the Malkin line, I’m gonna out a contract out on him LOL
DaBich
Feb 13, 10:21 AM
Err..make that PUT out…
smiffdub
Feb 14, 02:16 AM
>
the top line you suggest (sid, christensen, kennedy) makes no sense. armstrong has to be there (or malone if you wanted to move him from “THE LINE”). but you gotta have someone on Sid’s line who can deliver a hit. You also want someone who can score like Sykora does with Malkin and i think that’ll still be the trade that gets made. And i think pateince must be running thin with Fleury, so I’d say: Fleury for a scorer and maybe a stay-at-home defenseman. What do people think about Satan and Witt for Fleury?
DaBich
Feb 14, 07:09 AM
Smiffdub ~ Why do you say patience “must be running thin” with Fleury. I don’t follow that…please explain. Thanks!
Matt Bodenschatz
Feb 14, 09:41 AM
First off, Smiffdub, Armstrong ahs done nothing lately to deserve a spot on the top line. He’s been invisible. You don’t reward players who aren’t playing well. If you “need” a banger on that line, replace Kennedy with Talbot and see how it works.
Secondly, I’m with Dabich, I have no indication from anyone withint he organization that patience are wearing thin with Fleury. He had a 40 win season last year — not by fluke. He started out rough this season, but so did the entire team, and they found a way to turn it around. The difference with Fleury is, just as he was turning it around, he got hurt.
And, lastly, let’s break down this proposed trade idea. You’re wanting to trade Fleury — who, upon returning, still will be the youngest starting goalie in the NHL — for an impending unrestricted free agent whose production has been on a steady decline for years and a defenseman whose only value is hitting? And let’s not even mention the fact that both players are getting up there in age and are short-term help (if you can call them that) rather than long-term help. Shero has said time and again he won’t mortgage the future to win now — especially if it means giving up a current roster player.
To add, why on earth would the Islanders want Fleury? They already have Dipietro. Any team that would have interest in Fleury would want him as a starter, not a backup. You seem to forget that, and I say it again, he is the youngest starter in the NHL. Goalies don’t magically develop into all stars overnight. There’s a reason most goalies start their career int he NHL at around age 24…and he’s still 23.
DaBich
Feb 15, 02:24 PM
I’d still like to hear from Smiffdub, but I see he/she has lost it’s voice.
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