Penguins hit with major Evgeni Malkin problem hours before trade deadline

On Thursday night, in a crucial game in the playoff race and with captain Sidney Crosby already sidelined due to injury, the Penguins were forced to finish the game without Evgeni Malkin after the veteran forward completely lost his composure.

Malkin was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct after delivering a wild two-handed chop to the head of Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres.

The play immediately raised the expectation that supplemental discipline would follow from the NHL Department of Player Safety, and confirmation came Friday morning, right as the league’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches.

While the exact length of the suspension has not yet been finalized, early indications suggest Malkin could face a multi-game ban. The veteran forward is considered a repeat offender, having been suspended twice earlier in his career. His hearing is at 6 p.m. tonight over the phone, meaning his suspension can't be longer than five games.

That uncertainty could leave Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas navigating the most complicated decision of the season.

Insider Josh Yohe didn’t mince words after the game.

“Geno Malkin lost his mind at the worst possible time for the Penguins. Now, Kyle Dubas has a real problem on his hands.”

Yohe pointed out that the timing of the NHL’s disciplinary process could further complicate matters.

“It typically takes the NHL a day or two to determine length of suspensions, so Dubas probably won’t know how long he’s without Malkin when the deadline hits at 3 tomorrow. Maybe that doesn’t impact what he’s going to do. Maybe it does.”

The Penguins entered the week in a strong position in the playoff race, but suddenly their outlook looks far less stable.

With Crosby already dealing with injury concerns and Malkin potentially unavailable, Pittsburgh could be forced to navigate several crucial games without its two franchise pillars.

Yohe believes that reality could dramatically influence how Dubas approaches the trade deadline.

“So, what does Dubas do? Does he change course and bring in a big name? If Crosby and Malkin both miss, say, the next five games, the Penguins will be underdogs in at least four of them. And if they go into a bit of a tailspin, reaching the playoffs will be a chore.”

The situation becomes even more urgent considering the tightening race in the National Hockey League standings, with the Columbus Blue Jackets beginning to apply pressure behind Pittsburgh.

According to Yohe, the next few hours could become one of the most fascinating trade deadlines in franchise history.

“This will be one of the most interesting deadlines in Penguins history. Suddenly, the Blue Jackets are breathing down the Penguins’ necks. The schedule is frightening. Crosby and Malkin could both be out for a while.”

Dubas, however, faces a delicate balance. The Penguins GM has accumulated significant cap space and trade assets, giving him the flexibility to make a major move if he chooses. At the same time, he has repeatedly emphasized that he does not want to sacrifice the long-term future he has spent the last two years rebuilding.

Now, with the clock ticking toward the deadline and uncertainty surrounding one of the franchise’s greatest players, Dubas must decide whether to double down on the present or stay committed to the long game.

There were some good news however at the same time as the Malkin hearing announcement: Crosby was on the ice with some teammates. It's his first time skating with the group since sustaining his injury in Canada's quarterfinal matchup with Czechia at the Olympics on Feb. 12.