Evgeni Malkin just got dragged into a conversation nobody expected

That viral post nails the vibe: Malkin looks like a Masterton guy, and then the wink comes in, "most of them, anyway."

The Masterton is supposed to be perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey, three words that don’t always fit the same player.

Malkin fits the dedication part without blinking. His game is still built on touch, timing, and those sneaky seams on the man advantage.

Even in 2025-26, he is not coasting. He is sitting on 13-29-42 with a +15, and he still tilts shifts when his legs get going.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 28-14-11 right now, and they have been stacking wins with depth scoring, not just leaning on the old stars.

That’s why the "perseverance" angle lands too. When the room needs a jolt, Malkin still plays like a guy trying to prove something.

But the "most of them" joke is also fair. His game has always had a little chaos in it, the occasional needless penalty, the extra-long shift, the stubborn play at the blue line.

Penguins fans love him, but we also hold our breath when the puck dies on his stick at the wrong moment.

Still, the Masterton conversation is not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, pushing through, and staying committed when it would be easier to fade out.

Malkin’s production matters, but so does how he gets it. Three power-play goals and twelve power-play assists means he is still a driver, not a passenger.

Monday night against Ottawa is a good snapshot game. The Senators already blanked Pittsburgh 4-0 in the first meeting, so the stakes are real.

If the Penguins keep rolling, voters will notice the story behind the points. A veteran refusing to disappear is basically the whole award.

And if Malkin ever cleans up the "anyway" part, the argument gets a lot louder.

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