Unexpected Player Will Be on Second Line With Evgeni Malkin in Next Season After Latest Report
Evgeni Malkin is set to be the Penguins 2C once again in 2024/25, but surprisingly, he's called upon an intriguing name to be on his wing for the season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely seeing Evgeni Malkin's final season with the team in 2025/26, and while hopes aren't high for team success, it's safe to say that the expectations for him remain very high.
As the team's 2C moving forward, he continues to have a huge role for this organization after over two decades in their lineup, but ahead of what is likely his final year, he's made a shocking request of the team.
After having many different wingers alongside him last season, Malkin has reportedly zeroed in on the player that he wants alongside him next season, and according to The Athletic, it's Tommy Novak.
Following the season, Malkin told Penguins brass that he is a big fan of recently acquired forward Tommy Novak, whom the Penguins acquired from Nashville on the night before the NHL trade deadline. Novak, however, played in parts of only two games with the Penguins before his season ended prematurely with an injury.
Malkin wants to play with Novak this coming season, and there is a strong probability that they will start the season together on the second line. Novak is capable of playing center and wing, and, although Malkin is a natural center, there is a chance that he will play on the wing to start the season, with Novak filling the role as his center. Malkin likes that Novak is a gifted puck carrier and believes that Novak's skating and skill nicely complement him.
Malkin wants to play with Novak this coming season, and there is a strong probability that they will start the season together on the second line. Novak is capable of playing center and wing, and, although Malkin is a natural center, there is a chance that he will play on the wing to start the season, with Novak filling the role as his center. Malkin likes that Novak is a gifted puck carrier and believes that Novak's skating and skill nicely complement him.
As noted by Josh Yohe, Novak played in just two games with the team after the trade deadline that saw him acquired in a deal that sent Michael Bunting to the Predators, but in practice, Malkin clearly saw enough to want him on his wing.
On the other side, there's going to be questions too, with Rickard Rakell likely to be traded this summer on the back of a career year, but at least for now, Malkin has his eyes set on someone he believes can help him in his final season with the team.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 16 | 138 ANSWERS Unexpected Player Will Be on Second Line With Evgeni Malkin in Next Season After Latest Report Should Tommy Novak be on the Penguins second line next season? | ||
| Yes | 88 | 63.8 % |
| No | 50 | 36.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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