Evgeni Malkin, at 38, may have just experienced a pivotal moment in an already busy career.
A disturbing collision with Chandler Stephenson in the match against the Kraken left the Penguins without their pillar in the center, at least for the rest of the evening.
Although the details on the severity of his knee injury have not yet been confirmed by the team, the first images of the sequence suggest that the impact could have heavy consequences.
At this stage of his career, a significant knee injury could seriously complicate his return and even put an end to his adventure in the NHL.
The potential loss of Malkin raises a delicate question for the Penguins: what to do with Sidney Crosby?
The latter, an undeniable franchise player, could find himself alone to wear a burden that is too heavy for a declining team.
Already, Pittsburgh is struggling this season, fighting for a place in series without really convincing.
If Malkin was to be absent for an extended period, the pressure on Crosby would become unbearable, and a complete overhaul would seem inevitable.
For the Penguins, the idea of exchanging Crosby has never been so relevant. With a team that seems to cap and performance in free fall, keeping the captain could be a strategic error.
First, his departure could release the resources necessary for a real renewal. Crosby remains an extremely popular elite player and currency.
A transaction could report choices to the draft and young talented players, giving the Penguins a momentum towards faster reconstruction.
In addition, Crosby could itself benefit from a change of decor. At 36, he still has great years to offer, but not in a context where he would alone bear the weight of the team.
A destination like Colorado, which has just released Mikko Rantanen in a major transaction, could offer Crosby the opportunity to join a competitive group with Stanley Cup ambitions.
Imagine Crosby on a line with Nathan Mackinnon and Makar Cale is dreaming, and this kind of scenario could allow him to end his career on an exhilarating note.
But this position is not without controversy. Sidney Crosby, in almost two decades with the Penguins, has become a real institution.
-He won three Stanley cuts, engraved his name in the annals of hockey, and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in history.
Why would he want to exchange this stability for the uncertainty of a new organization? At this stage of his career, Crosby has little to prove. His glory is already ensured.
The reality is that Crosby is well installed in Pittsburgh. He has built his life, his habits, his player identity there. Leaving this city which saw him grow as an athlete would be a shock, not only for him, but for a whole community of supporters who consider him a member of their family.
Sidney Crosby is loyal, methodical, and attached to the routine which has allowed him to be constant over the years. Why would he seek to upset this balance, to risk a move that could disrupt the quiet end of a legendary career?
In addition, Pittsburgh offered him rare security and respect in the competitive world of NHL. Unlike other elite players who had to adapt to new teams at the end of their careers, Crosby has always had the luxury of playing for a single organization.
This loyalty goes in both directions: the Penguins, despite their recent setbacks, continue to treat it as their cornerstone.
Why exchange this unique dynamic for a risky adventure, even in a team promising a short -term success?
For Crosby, staying could simply be a question of comfort and loyalty to your inheritance.
That said, even with this romantic vision, it is difficult to ignore that the current environment at Pittsburgh is anything but conducive to success.
The franchise seems to be stuck between his glorious past and an uncertain future, unable to reposition himself as a serious pretender.
At one point, even loyalty and comfort may no longer be enough to justify the maintenance of Crosby in an organization which is no longer able to support its competitive ambitions.
In conclusion, the question of Sidney Crosby’s future with Penguins goes beyond simple strategic considerations.
It is a dilemma between the weight of the inheritance and the ruthless realities of a sport where time does not expect anyone. If Crosby chooses to stay, it will be in agreement with its values of loyalty and continuity.
But if the Penguins decide to move on, it will undoubtedly be the difficult decision but necessary to rebuild a team that sorely needs it.
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