Mark Madden: If a group of old-timers can make another Stanley Cup run, it's the Penguins' Crosby, Malkin, Letang

After the Pittsburgh Penguins lost to Washington in the second round of the 2018 playoffs, I’d have traded Evgeni Malkin.

Malkin had a no-movement clause but would have waived it to go to Florida, a rumored destination. His family has a home there. A big package of young talent and draft picks beckoned. Rebuild with youth and energy around Sidney Crosby.

But such a deal wasn’t considered.

Instead, Florida has a legit Stanley Cup contender. But the Panthers finished ninth from the bottom in NHL attendance last season, drawing 86.9% of capacity. Perhaps Malkin’s star power would sell more tickets.

The Penguins, meanwhile, face the “lion in winter” stage.

That was inevitable when Malkin stayed and the potential trade return for him diminished each year.

The Penguins had little choice but to re-sign Malkin and Kris Letang this past offseason, keeping the core three intact for (at least) the final three years of Crosby’s contract.

In the NHL, you can’t rebuild via free agency. Not many young free agents are available. You can merely tweak and augment.

So Crosby, Letang and Malkin remain together.

That’s by no means a complaint.

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Superstar athletes embellish their legacy by playing their whole career with one team, especially in the era of free agency.

Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman are examples. Ray Bourque rented himself out to get a Stanley Cup he really didn’t deserve. Wayne Gretzky became a journeyman.

The Penguins and their fan base are honored by having Crosby, Letang and Malkin for a 17th season together. They are the longest-running trio act in NHL history.

Crosby, Letang and Malkin have won three Stanley Cups together and proved themselves to be among the very best at their profession during their tenure. Crosby and Malkin are locks to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Letang is very probable.

Crosby, Letang and Malkin never embarrassed themselves, their team or the city. They are an indelible part of Pittsburgh sports lore. We should be glad it worked out like it has.

Whether it wins playoff series or sells tickets remains to be seen. (The Penguins played to 97.2% capacity last season.)

Old teams don’t win championships. The Penguins haven’t won a playoff series since 2018. The Penguins will almost certainly make the postseason for a 17th straight year, which parallels the core’s time together. But then what?

That said, the Penguins’ core aged much better than, say, Chicago’s. The Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010, ’13 and ’15.

Jonathan Toews’ cap hit last season was $10.5 million. He scored 12 goals. The Blackhawks missed the playoffs for a second straight season and fourth in five.

Trading Malkin in ’18 or ’19, even for monster return, would have offered no guarantees.

This way is better.

If any group of old-timers can cobble together one more run, it’s Crosby, Letang and Malkin. (But the Penguins’ best chance requires Tristan Jarry to morph from a solid goaltender with good stats to a goalie who can steal big games. Jarry has the skills.)

Here’s hoping. Crosby, Letang and Malkin deserve it.

Enjoy Crosby, Letang and Malkin while you can. Because it won’t be long before the Penguins hit a wall. (Don’t forget, that’s traditionally the franchise’s first step toward further success.)