The Penguins are playing better lately, but aren't off to an especially impressive start. In fact, they have quietly faded during their past 70 games, dating back to last season, leading many to wonder if coach Dan Bylsma has lost his touch.
One player can give Bylsma the long-term stability that no Penguins coach has ever experienced.
If Evgeni Malkin starts producing at a higher rate, Bylsma is here to stay. If the enigmatic superstar continues his inconsistent ways, Bylsma ultimately will be looking for work elsewhere. It's pretty much that simple.
When Malkin is on top of his game, he is hockey's best player. That's right, when his game is in full motion, he is harder to defend than Alex Ovechkin and more versatile than Sidney Crosby.
Problem is, Malkin hasn't played at the height of his power much recently.
Bylsma is an intelligent man and had better figure out the source of Malkin's inconsistent play soon.
The Penguins have plenty of reliable players. Crosby has been the NHL's best player this season. He's complemented by a number of valuable role players, and when Jordan Staal returns from injury, he will provide Bylsma with another tremendously solid player.
The blue line is as deep and good as any team in the league and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, following a troubling slump to start the season, has found his way.
And then there's Malkin.
At times, he has been brilliant. He recently recorded a hat trick in a victory against Atlanta and still showcases his special ability to take over a game.
Yet Malkin currently ranks 22nd in the NHL in scoring. This isn't a very becoming statistic. Good players are supposed to rank 22nd in the league in scoring, but the great ones should be considerably higher.
True, Malkin doesn't have a plethora of great linemates.
Arron Ashom and Matt Cooke are terrific third-line players but have no right playing on Malkin's line.
Still, the argument that Malkin's linemates aren't worthy of his considerable talents grows thin. Don't forget, Crosby is playing alongside with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. With all due respect, neither belongs on a top line.
Yet Crosby leads the league in scoring and is playing better than ever. His two biggest threats for the scoring title are flanked by brilliant players. Steven Stamkos, the young Tampa Bay star, plays on a line with Martin St. Louis.
Ovechkin skates on a line with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Semin.
Crosby is doing incredible things given his linemates. And consider this: Crosby and Malkin both make $8.7 million per season.
By dishing out those contracts to Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins were essentially saying that they expected comparable contributions.
Crosby, at 23, looks like a superstar entering his prime, an accomplished player about to take his game to a special place.
Malkin, at 24, often looks fatigued and frustrated, and hasn't reached his level of play from the 2009 postseason.
What gives?
Bylsma had better figure out the answer. His job depends on it.
Speaking of the 2009 postseason, what Malkin did that spring has never received the attention it warrants. In a postseason that saw Crosby score 14 goals, including eight in an epic seven-game confrontation with Ovechkin, it was Malkin who emerged with the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
And you know what⢠No one disagreed with the decision.
Malkin did amazing things that spring at both ends of the rink. He was hockey's greatest player and appeared poised to join Crosby as driving forces as the Penguins raced into the history books as the game's latest dynasty.
And then something happened to Malkin, something that hasn't been explained. He's still a great player, but no longer mentioned in a class with Crosby and Ovechkin.
Much has been made of the Penguins' struggles this season. There are plenty of issues, from goaltending to the power play.
Bylsma probably stays up at night pondering his team's issues.
He would sleep better if Malkin started playing like Malkin again.
