Three Maple Leafs Rivals Reportedly Eyeing Evgeni Malkin
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
According to a new report from James Murphy of RG.org, three of Toronto's biggest rivals are keeping tabs on Evgeni Malkin, as the Maple Leafs also look to keep tabs.
All the discussion this season in Pittsburgh seems to revolve around a few things: Sidney Crosby's future, whether they are going to make several trades to get a rebuild accelerated, and a potential ownership change in the future.
But seemingly lost in the shuffle is the future of another Pittsburgh legend: Evgeni Malkin.
While Crosby gets the brunt of the attention, it's Malkin who has quietly (or not so quietly) been a surefire Hall of Fame inductee when he retires, and was equally as crucial in helping Pittsburgh win three Stanley Cups, and is no doubt one of the greatest players of his generation.
However with Pittsburgh looking to get younger and a rebuild in the near future, Malkin knows his time with the team isn't exactly safe, and admitted at training camp that he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to a contender.
Which Teams Have Been Linked to Malkin's Availability
In addition to that report, James Murphy of RG.org has now revealed that there are three teams interested in acquiring Malkin; and it's bad news for Maple Leafs fans.
According to Murphy, the three teams are the Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning; all whom are fighting for an Atlantic Division title with Toronto:
After practice on Friday, Malkin told reporters that if, as many expect, the 2025-26 season goes in the tank for the Penguins, he would consider waiving his no-movement clause to be traded to a Stanley Cup contender.
On Friday night, an NHL executive source told RG that three teams: the Montreal Canadiens (who have already been linked to Crosby), the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Florida Panthers, have all looked into Malkin's availability at some point since the 2024 offseason.
«I'm sure there's been other teams too in the past, but I'm told those three teams, at some point last season, asked about Malkin, Crosby, and other Penguins players, but as (Penguins general manager) Kyle [Dubas] made it clear to the media so many times, the answer has always been a hard no," the source said.
On Friday night, an NHL executive source told RG that three teams: the Montreal Canadiens (who have already been linked to Crosby), the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Florida Panthers, have all looked into Malkin's availability at some point since the 2024 offseason.
«I'm sure there's been other teams too in the past, but I'm told those three teams, at some point last season, asked about Malkin, Crosby, and other Penguins players, but as (Penguins general manager) Kyle [Dubas] made it clear to the media so many times, the answer has always been a hard no," the source said.
Well as much as it's been a no for so long, it's going to be hard for Pittsburgh to go through a rebuild without getting rid of Malkin eventually; I mean he's not going to be around forever so if there's a chance to get some very valuable assets back; Dubas has to.
How a Potential Malkin Move Could Shake Up the Atlantic Division
If Malkin were to be traded, especially to an Atlantic contender, then it's going to heavily depend on where he goes before we can really see how impactful he will be.
If he ends up going to Montreal he gets a chance to mentor Ivan Demidov and be a part of a young team that isn't necessarily rebuilding, but if he wants to win it might be less of a sure thing.
Going to Tampa would give the Lightning a scary duo of Kucherov and Malkin and on top of an already loaded roster from top to bottom and might be the better alternative if he were to go to the Sunshine State.
That leaves Florida, and if they end up acquiring him? Oh geez, the backlash would be incredible.
Already given a ton of criticism for how they constructed and manage their roster, it seems like Florida will randomly pluck a star out of somewhere and make them even better.
You add Malkin; a player with over 1,300 points and a laundry list of personal and playoff accomplishments to the mix? How can you say that Florida isn't going to have a three-peat at that point.
This all spells awful news for the Maple Leafs, who have yet to make a big splash and might see their most hated rivals end up bringing in one of the greatest players in recent history.
Though, come July 2026 they might have their own ace in the hole that'll change the Atlantic all over again.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 21 | 1604 ANSWERS Three Maple Leafs Rivals Reportedly Eyeing Evgeni Malkin Where do you think Evgeni Malkin is going to end up if he is traded/signed in free agency? | ||
| Toronto | 283 | 17.6 % |
| Tampa Bay | 557 | 34.7 % |
| Montreal | 392 | 24.4 % |
| Florida | 372 | 23.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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