Trade Geno?

With the Penguins on an 11 game winning streak and Sid playing out of his mind it seems like a good time to stir the pot. The Penguins are the best team in hockey, right now. Great defense and good offensive production and where is the supposed top 5 player in the world Evgeni Malkin? He is out of the lineup and his numbers are below average.

The Penguins success is remarkable considering all the injuries and an invisible Geno. Malkin still has this recognition for being one the best players in the league but is not showing it. The truth is nobody knows how good Geno is. When he wants to be a great player no one can touch him, but when he doesn't care he doesn't show up. Your typical Russian player. In his four NHL seasons he has two great seasons and two average seasons, this year looks like another average season. I know 80 points is not your typical average season but when you're making $8.7 million a year its a below average season. It is interesting that in Malkin's two great seasons the Penguins went to the cup but in his two average seasons they bowed out early. The truth is they cannot afford to have a superstar that is not always a superstar.

Remember Malkin is not a necessity for the Pens. They are the deepest team in the league as far as centers go. When healthy they have Crosby, Staal, Talbot, Letestu, Adams, Rupp, and Comrie. So it's not like trading Geno would create a void in the lineup. They already have more centers than they can use. When Staal comes back he plays second line center, like he should be. The problem with Geno is he is not a team player. He doesn't want to play wing, he doesn't want to play the right point on the powerplay, and he is a puck hog. Yes he is a super talent, but not the kind that is worth the headache.

I am not saying trade him now, but sometime within the next two seasons he will be traded. They just can't afford to keep him. More importantly they are still a winger short of building a dynasty. Kunitz is playing well right now and Dupuis is playing better than expected but those hot streaks will end before Christmas. Sid still needs a legitimate scoring threat on his right or left. Malkin can bring back an all-star caliber winger and draft picks. Once you have those pieces the masterpiece will be complete. Until then they will just be a great team that loses its scoring touch at key moments.