Report: Pens' Malkin may consider the Rangers or the Panthers

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to be busy this offseason after an embarrassing exit from the playoffs. Changes are a brewing, and Jim Rutherford has made it loud and clear he's open for business.

When Rutherford made his list of untouchables public it sparked a lot of calls. Turns out teams didn't care about the list, as it appears most have been calling about Evgeni Malkin. Gino is well aware of the trade winds as he has been answering questions at the Worlds about them and according to Elliotte Friedman, he believes there's potential Malkin would accept a deal to the Panthers or the Rangers.

Rutherford and Dale Tallon have a history together, but you have to wonder how many Ex-Panthers the Pens GM wants on his team. While Florida has a new bench boss who would love to see a 1-2 punch up front which he's used to having, as Barkov and Malkin would be a deadly combo. It makes sense for Florida to want to overpay a little bit here. As for the Pens it's no secret Phil Kessel is likely heading out of town, so if Rutherford can deal Kessel and save some money in the process, dealing Malkin to the Panthers gets a little more interesting.

Vincent Trocheck and Mike Matheson would be nice combo of valued contracts and contributing pieces. Throw in a top prospect like sniper Owen Tippett and Rutherford is able to fill his second line center, solidify his back end, and Tippett is one of the best snipers outside the NHL. Jim Rutherford will have to get creative as Malkin's holding all the cards.

One thing we do know is you will hear about it here first. Evgeni, you were saying...

Malkin to @galkevich32: I'm used to the talks I'm get traded so it doesn't get me nervous. Now I'm in the team Russia and I'll try to prove I'm good.I had a bad season and I'm going to get me out of the pit.Sometimes criticism is justified. This time it's probably justified #Pens

— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) May 1, 2019