Evgeni Malkin gets real about the possibility of being traded this season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reached what feels like a pivotal fork in the road when it comes to the future of their franchise, a fork in the road that leaves a great many questions about where some of their most well-established players will end up in the long run.

Of course there has been plenty of talk surrounding the future of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in recent weeks, but one topic that has flown under the radar as those conversations have happened is the future of Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin. Malkin, who like Crosby has cemented his status as a Penguin in the minds of hockey fans in that city, is coming into the season on an expiring contract and is being forced to face the reality that this could be the end of the road for him with the only National Hockey League team he has ever known.

On Friday, Malkin spoke to reporters during Penguins training camp and many of the questions he faced were on this very topic. When he was asked point blank if he would welcome a trade to a contender if he was playing well but the Penguins once again found themselves outside of the playoff picture, Malkin gave fans a true insight into where exactly his mind is on this topic.

"It's hard you know," admitted Malkin. "We see a story like with Brad Marchand and it's looking good but again if team trade you and you not win Cup it's a little bit weird."

Malkin clearly sees the upside of being traded to a contending team, much like Marchand was last season, but also correctly points out that most of the players in these situations don't go on to win a Stanley Cup. While Malkin admits he would love another chance at a championship, it is clear a big part of him wants to remain where he has been for his entire NHL career so far.

"Of course everybody wants to try to playoffs and maybe one more run for Cup," admitted Malkin. "It's great story when you see on TV but I don't know how I feel if team wants to trade me."

It remains to be seen how things will play out for Malkin and the Penguins this season but, much like the Penguins fan base itself, Malkin seems to be torn about the seemingly inevitable fork in the road that awaits beyond this season.

You can hear his full comments in the video below: