Malkin “thinking about” potential trade to one of two Eastern Conference rivals

It’s been over two weeks since the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season came to an end, but the team seems to be in the headlines now more than ever. Much of the ink spilled over the Penguins and their disappointing season has to do with potential trades for franchise players like Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Phil Kessel. 

But… there’s no way Penguins GM Jim Rutherford would trade any of these superstar players, is there? Is there?

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes that a trade, especially a trade centred around Malkin, is not out of the realm of possibility. In fact, in his latest 31 Thoughts podcast Friedman reports that Malkin is at least “thinking about” whether or not he’d accept a trade. Malkin, of course, has a full no-trade and no-movement clause in his contract, so any potential deal would be up to him to approve or deny.

Check out this quote from Friedman on his latest podcast:

“Malkin has a no-move clause and the word is he’s at least thinking would he agree. And so, we’re probably days to weeks away from learning about what Malkin thinks.”

Furthermore, Friedman drops two Eastern Conference rivals as potential suitors should Malkin decide to move on.

Again, check it out:

“You know the smartest thing is he goes to Florida after the season, he’s going to Russia for the World Championships, it’s smart to get away and think. But there are teams out there, I think the (New York )Rangers are one… wouldn’t be surprised if Florida (Panthers) is kind of waiting to find out… but he’s gonna have to want to go there.”

So… the Rangers are now linked to how many players this offseason? Malkin? Artemi Panarin? Erik Karlsson? Something’s got to give…

Then again Kevin Shattenkirk was rumored to be signing with the Rangers for months before it actually happened. Oh… and the Rangers were rumored to be after top prospect Adam Fox before he was eventually acquired by the team. Ditto for Jimmy Vesey, too. Where there’s smoke there’s fire?