Panthers Coach Sends Message on Evgeni Malkin Amid Roster Concerns

Added Maurice: “There was no cameras. And how hard he worked in practice, like he was a pure—he drove hard to be a great performer. He wanted to win, he wanted to score goals, he wanted to drive.”

Malkin is in the final year of his four-year, $24.4 million contract and it includes a full no-move clause. His future in Pittsburgh, however, has been uncertain since training camp.

Back then, Malkin acknowledged the possibility of being traded depending on how the season unfolded. The Russian center referenced Brad Marchand’s deadline move to Florida last year as a possible path, calling it a “great story” and admitting he could be open to a similar late-career run at a fourth Stanley Cup.

“Again, we see a story like Brad Marchand,” Malkin said. “Looking good. Team trades you, you win the Cup. It’s a little weird, too. Of course, everybody wants to make the playoffs, maybe make one more run at the Cup. Great story. But I don’t know how I would feel if the team wants to trade me.”

There's speculation the Panthers could trade for a star forward in recent weeks following long-terminjuries to Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.

Barkov is not expected back until late in the postseason at the earliest, and general manager Bill Zito confirmed the team is actively exploring options to fill the void.

Although Maurice’s remarks stop short of a direct admission of interest, they add fuel to the growing speculation around Malkin’s availability.

The comments might also raise questions about the league’s tampering rules, given Malkin is under contract and Maurice didn't hesitate to gush over the forward.

The Panthers are coming off beating the Penguins on Thursday. Florida will host the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, with the reigning champions currently boasting 4–5–0 and sitting third in the Atlantic Division.