Mark Madden: With Evgeni Malkin injured, Penguins taking test drive for future

McDonald’s is doing a promotion with Evgeni Malkin: The “Geno Meal” consists of a Big Mac, french fries, milkshake and an orange soda. (Do elite athletes ever eat like that?)

The “Geno Meal” is available for a limited time.

Perhaps that’s an omen.

When GM Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in early February, time began ticking down on the team’s core three. Burke said Sidney Crosby won’t be leaving unless he wants to, which is an interesting disclaimer.

Despite Malkin’s full no-movement clause and Kris Letang’s limited version thereof, it would be shocking if both were with the Penguins next season.

Hextall and Burke weren’t hired to stand pat. The Penguins could keep the core three until they retire. That’s what the fans want (or think they want).

But despite doing better than anticipated, especially given a nonstop torrent of injuries, the Penguins aren’t what they were in their Stanley Cup years of 2016 and ’17. Unless rebuilding begins, they will continue to organically disintegrate — just like multiple-championship teams before them in Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles. All kept their big names.

To take a shot at avoiding that, the Penguins must adjust their roster and how they play.

Malkin hasn’t played since March 16 because of what’s presumed to be a knee injury. A date for his return is uncertain. He is skating lightly.

Malkin’s absence has given the Penguins a chance to test-drive playing without him.

Covid protocol reportedly limited Malkin’s access to training facilities in the offseason, resulting in poor conditioning and a slow start. But then Malkin started playing well. He had an eight-game points streak before being hurt, and five goals and 12 assists in 15 games. Malkin was responsible defensively and cut down ill-advised risk and penalties.

But in Malkin’s absence, the Penguins are 8-3. They are as systemically sound as they’ve ever been. Letang has bought in. He is taking slightly less risk but hasn’t sacrificed his identity. Letang has two goals and 10 assists in the 11 games since Malkin got hurt.

The Penguins haven’t sacrificed their identity, either, scoring 41 goals in those 11 games. That’s 3.7 goals per game. Their average on the season is 3.4.

Jared McCann came back from injury just after Malkin got hurt. McCann has been the No. 2 center. He had five goals and three assists in nine games since returning. Four of his goals are on the power play because McCann has adopted the revolutionary stance of shooting a lot.

Malkin is 34, Letang 33. Both are signed through next season. Malkin’s cap hit is $9.5 million, Letang’s $7.25 million. Neither figure is onerous, but both are due extensions.

Malkin owns a home in Florida. His wife reportedly prefers living there to Pittsburgh. Would Malkin waive his no-movement clause to go to Miami or Tampa Bay? (Both the Panthers and Lightning are very good. Neither has a gaping need at center.)

The Penguins wouldn’t get a ton back in a trade for Malkin. In 2018, yes. Not anymore. (Nobody prominent is leaving Pittsburgh by Monday’s trade deadline, BTW.)

Maybe the best option is not to trade Malkin or Letang. Whoever doesn’t get an extension plays out his deal and leaves. The main gain by losing either was always going to be cap space.

This situation is far from concluded. But the test drive sans Malkin continues. What will Hextall and Burke conclude? Will Malkin play more systemically when (if) he returns?

Enjoy that “Geno Meal” while you can. McDonald’s should add a third drink so it comes with three cups.