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Pittsburgh Penguins Evgeni Malkin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPittsburgh Penguins Evgeni Malkin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
CRANBERRY \u2014 Evgeni Malkin<\/a> promised to speak to the media, \u201ctomorrow!\u201d <\/p>\n That promise was made back in April after the final Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> game. Of course, Malkin did not speak the following day as players cleaned out their dressing stalls and departed for home. <\/p>\n Friday, Malkin, 39, was in good spirits. In fact, all of the Penguins\u2019 veterans have been upbeat. It was a long tomorrow, but Malkin finally addressed the potential end of his career as he has just this season remaining on his contract. <\/p>\n \u201c(If) we play great, I play great, I mean, (if) I feel confidence from my game, why not one more?\u201d Malkin asked. \u201cThis season is huge for the team and for me. And again, I\u2019m still hungry. I\u2019m glad to be here this year. And we have a new coach, a couple of new guys, and our teammates. And again, (it\u2019s) exciting to see what\u2019s going on this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Last season, Malkin had only 50 points in 68 games as questions began to arise about his longevity. However, the upbeat Malkin not only shrugged off questions about his future with optimism, but he also opened the door to a myriad of trade rumors. <\/p>\n No, Malkin does not want to leave the Penguins. And no, Malkin is not anxious for a trade to win a Stanley Cup<\/a> in what could be his final season. <\/p>\n However, the reality of the Penguins\u2019 situation and watching longtime Boston Bruins <\/a>stalwart Brad Marchand<\/a> not only get traded, but win the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers was a call back to reality. <\/p>\n Anything can happen, and Malkin doesn\u2019t know what he would do if Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas<\/a> wants to trade him. Malkin does have a no-movement clause, but being asked is something to which Malkin doesn\u2019t yet know how he would react. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard. You know, we see a story like with Brad Marchand\u2013it\u2019s looking good. If you trade you and (he) wins the Cup, it\u2019s a bit weird,\u201d said Malkin. \u201cBut again, we see what\u2019s going on with the future. Of course, everybody wants to play in the playoffs and maybe one more run to the Cup. It\u2019s a great story when you see it on TV, but I don\u2019t know how I would feel if the team wants to trade me.\u201d<\/p>\n It should be noted, Malkin\u2019s frame of reference for a possible trade was if the Penguins did not want him any longer, not predicated upon his desire to remain. <\/p>\n In the first few days of camp, Malkin has been paired with winger Anthony Mantha. The pair participated in the contact drills, and Malkin has been aggressively defending, even delivering a few shin whacks to defenseman Sebastian Aho. <\/p>\n The new camp has invigorated many, including Malkin. <\/p>\n If it\u2019s not with the Penguins, perhaps Malkin will play one last season in Russia. So much seems to hinge on how this season goes. <\/p>\n \u201cI was back in Russia, and people started talking about maybe going back to play one more year in my hometown, you know. It\u2019s a lot of annoying, lots of guys out,\u201d said Malkin. \u201cI\u2019ve come here this year, I\u2019ve been here, like\u2026 I want to show my best. The last three or four years, I\u2019ve not shown my best year because I am not happy with how I played, the last couple of years for sure. <\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s my last year here, I want to show everything. I want show my best game.\u201d<\/p>\n In June, Pittsburgh Hockey Now reported that Malkin\u2019s future remained undecided, that his representation and Dubas were to speak throughout the season to gauge the future. <\/p>\n At the NHL Scouting Combine, Dubas confirmed that he and Malkin\u2019s reps would speak early in the season and again at the Olympic break. Malkin confirmed that more talks have not yet taken place, but his optimism clearly transcended the situation. <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know what (will happen) during the season, you know, like if something happens, like, I hope not. I hope I stay here like Sidney (Crosby), and Tanger (Kris Letang),\u201d Malkin said. \u201cI\u2019m being like Penguins forever, for sure. And again, I hope we play great and I hope everything goes perfect and perfect for me too, you know, I want to stay here for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Perhaps this isn\u2019t the last ride?<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: Evgeni Malkin<\/a> Penguins Locker Room<\/a> Penguins news<\/a> Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> <\/p>\n