Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) takes the ice against the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9b68120b-d7ba-4495-8724-358a8a51abc4.jpeg] Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) takes the ice against the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images For the past two decades, the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] have been lucky enough to ice a living NHL legend in Sidney Crosby, who already has a one-way ticket to the Hall of Fame. But - as has been the case for those two decades - another living NHL legend has been thriving in Crosby's shadow, and his GM made quite the statement on Tuesday. On Tuesday's episode of the Cam & Strick Podcast [https://x.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1955295495108071904], Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas - who was brought onboard with the Penguins during the summer of 2023 - used some of his airwaves to throw praise at veteran forward Evgeni Malkin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/where-does-evgeni-malkin-sit-in-all-time-russian-born-nhl-ranks], who is entering the final season of his current four-year contract at age 39. And Dubas made quite the statement. "He's probably the most underrated player, maybe, to ever play," Dubas said. "I think [it's] just because of the fact that he has always kind of been a little bit in the shadow of Sid, but - at his best - one of, if not the best, player in the league. He's won everything you can win, and he's way more competitive even at his age than I think most people would ever give him credit for, especially in those games when he gets a little heated... you see that kind of vintage form." Malkin has helped Pittsburgh to three Stanley Cup Championships (2009, 2016, 2017) and has registered 514 goals and 1,346 points in 1,213 career games played. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2006-07, is a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner for the league scoring title (2009, 2012), and took home both the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy for the 2011-12 season, when he put up 50 goals and 109 points. He was infamously omitted from the NHL's Top-100 players list in 2017, and he generally has not received the league-wide recognition that he has deserved [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/eight-times-evgeni-malkin-reminded-everyone-hes-still-here] throughout his career. And even though he all-time great Russian forward may not be what he once was, but Dubas believes there's still a lot left in the tank. "He just turned 39 a week ago, but he's still capable of some very special moments and still a very good player. He gets talked about the least - and he probably prefers it that way - but it's been special to be around him." Dubas said prior to free agency that the Penguins plan to revisit Malkin's contract situation - and plans for the 2026-26 season - around the Olympic break in February. Eight Times Evgeni Malkin Reminded Everyone He's Still Here [https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/MjA4MjQ3MDI5ODU0MzgxNzEy/usatsi_22893319.jpg] Eight Times Evgeni Malkin Reminded Everyone He's Still Here The Russian centerman has reminded the NHL on several occasions why he's a force to be reckoned with [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/eight-times-evgeni-malkin-reminded-everyone-hes-still-here] Where Does Evgeni Malkin Sit In All-Time Russian-Born NHL Ranks? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a7d51ca8-0fe4-42dd-bffb-0c365950478a.webp] Where Does Evgeni Malkin Sit In All-Time Russian-Born NHL Ranks? On Jul. 31, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' veteran forward Evgeni Malkin turned the ripe age of 39. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/where-does-evgeni-malkin-sit-in-all-time-russian-born-nhl-ranks] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
