Mark Madden: Penguins should see how Evgeni Malkin recovers before considering contract extension

Evgeni Malkin participated in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff series vs. the New York Islanders despite a severe injury to his right knee. It required major surgery. Malkin’s availability for the start of training camp (and perhaps the start of the season) is in doubt.

Malkin deserves credit for gutting it out. He gave 100% and played reasonably well.

But the Penguins have paid Malkin $118 million to this point, so he should be expected to persevere on their behalf. The decision to play was his. No undue pressure was applied.

Moving forward, what the Penguins do with Malkin should be based 100% on what he can still do not what he’s already done.

Malkin’s contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Some think owner Mario Lemieux is dead-set against any of the Penguins’ stars leaving. That’s probably true — as long as they’re still stars. It definitely applies to Sidney Crosby.

Some think Malkin is committed to finishing his career in Pittsburgh. That commitment might be tested when Malkin reaches free agency. Would Malkin take a hometown discount to remain a Penguin, or would he sign elsewhere for a higher offer?

The Penguins could extend Malkin sooner out of loyalty, as some suggest, but that would be pure folly: They need to see how Malkin recovers from surgery, and how he can still perform. Having your knee cut at 34 isn’t the same as having it cut at, say, 24.

Malkin is no monument to conditioning. He came to training camp out of shape, and it was reflected in his poor start. Lack of access to workout facilities because of covid was blamed. But $118 million can certainly pay for installment of a home gym.

Malkin lacks the same dedication to training as Kris Letang, also 34 but a better bet to sustain excellence as he nears 40.

The Penguins can do OK without Malkin: They went 16-5-2 this past season in games he missed. Jeff Carter can be an adequate No. 2 center in his absence.

This screed isn’t designed to “run Malkin out of town,” the favored accusation of Geno Nation whenever their hero is questioned in any way.

But the Penguins need to tread carefully unless their intent is to keep their core three intact ’til each retires regardless of their cost and quality. That’s the path chosen by previous mini-dynasties Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles.

If you want to know how that’s worked out, look where the Red Wings, Blackhawks and Kings finished in this past season’s standings. (Perhaps the Penguins already are inexorably on that path.)

Malkin’s status as one of the Penguins’ top four players ever and a three-time Stanley Cup winner should be considered but not to the exclusion of what’s best for the team.

The alleged “three amigos” dynamic between Crosby, Letang and Malkin shouldn’t be considered one iota. How often do they socialize away from the rink? Each wants the others to stay because they’re good players. That’s the biggest part of that narrative.

The Penguins have always tried to present Crosby and Malkin as equals, and that has trickled down to some fans as legit belief.

But Crosby and Malkin are not equals. Crosby is one of the top five players in NHL history. Malkin is, maybe, top 50 — and maybe not. Crosby has meant immeasurably more to the franchise.

Are we 100% sure of what Malkin wants? His wife and child prefer Florida, often living at Malkin’s residence there while he plays in Pittsburgh.

First things first: How will Malkin recover from knee surgery? Let’s see him play. All other decisions should be a result of that.

Here’s how it ends: Malkin gets to free agency in 2022 and goes to the highest bidder.