Oilers Should Call the Penguins About Evgeni Malkin

A second line with Nugent-Hopkins, Malkin and Hyman would give Edmonton a way to punish that decision. Hyman could win pucks and get to the net, while Nugent-Hopkins could support Malkin down low and help move the puck through the neutral zone. Jason Dickinson could still take the tougher defensive assignments. Babcock could also shift Podkolzin onto Malkin’s wing if he wanted another forechecker there. The bigger gain is having a credible second scoring line without breaking up his first.

Malkin Still Creates Offence at 40

Malkin had 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games last season. Through 14 games this season, he has six goals and 11 points. He’s also averaging 2.50 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five in that early sample, which matters in Edmonton because he’d have to earn most of his minutes behind an established first power-play unit. He could run the second unit from the half wall and give it a shooting threat when defenders take away the passing lanes.

At 6-foot-5, Malkin can still shield the puck along the boards and hold it long enough for a teammate to get open. That’s particularly valuable in a playoff series when clean rush chances dry up. He also brings 183 points in 183 career playoff games and three Stanley Cups. In a tight road game, Babcock could send him out after the McDavid line and still have a centre who can turn an offensive-zone faceoff into a sustained shift. The question is how well he’d handle centre duties every night. Pittsburgh has used him on the wing, and he recently returned from a lower-body injury. Edmonton would need to be comfortable with his health and ability to handle those minutes before paying for a second-line centre.

The Oilers Would Need Pittsburgh to Retain Salary

Malkin is in the final year of his deal with a $5.5 million cap hit. If Pittsburgh retained 50 percent, Edmonton would take on a $2.75 million annualized hit before accounting for performance bonuses. Even at that number, the Oilers would need to clear salary given their limited cap space. Bowman would have to price that move into the trade, especially if it costs Edmonton a regular.

A 2027 second-round pick for Malkin at half retention is where I’d start. Pittsburgh gets a meaningful pick for a pending unrestricted free agent, and Edmonton keeps its top prospects. With the Oilers’ 2027 first-rounder already committed conditionally, I’d keep the 2028 first and prospects like Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard out of the deal. Dubas could ask for more, especially if several clubs are bidding and he’s being asked to retain half.

Would Malkin Say Yes to Edmonton?

It’s possible, but I’d put the odds on the low side today. Malkin has trade protection, and TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that he must submit a three-team list in January. Dreger also identified the Minnesota Wild as an interested team if the price is right and Malkin wants to move. Wild GM Bill Guerin won a Cup with him in Pittsburgh, giving Minnesota an existing relationship to work with.

Edmonton can offer a legitimate shot at another Cup and a clear role in its top six. There’s also a connection with fellow Russian forward Podkolzin, who could be a linemate. Still, Malkin chose to return for a 21st season in Pittsburgh. “Best city, best fans, I stay one more year,” he said when he re-signed. Bowman should call Dubas now to learn what a deal would cost. The January list could tell him whether Edmonton has a chance to make one.