Penguins legend Evgeni Malkin must submit a three-team trade list, according to Dreger

TSN's Darren Dreger just reported that Evgeni Malkin will submit a three-team trade list to the Penguins.

Pittsburgh is in a ditch. The Penguins are 5-9-2, 29th in the NHL, and they've lost four straight after Thursday night's 6-2 loss to the Bruins.

The trade chatter was already loud before this. Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have been tagged as Rakell and Rust being up for grabs, and Rust is listed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, expected out until at least Dec. 5.

Malkin is playing on a one-year contract, and the list is part of that deal. According to Dreger, he has to submit it in January.

That makes the next two months a referendum on this team.

Malkin is 40 and still producing, with six goals and 11 points in 14 games.

Dreger pointed out that a younger roster is part of the plan for GM Kyle Dubas. But he asked what happens if the Penguins are still struggling in January, since Malkin remains an impact player who sits on the top power play.

Why Bill Guerin and the Wild fit

Dreger also floated one possible destination. He said he knows Wild GM Bill Guerin is interested, but only if the price is right and Malkin is ready to move at that point.

The history is real. Guerin joined the Penguins at the 2008-09 trade deadline as a 39-year-old, when Malkin was 22 and about to win the Art Ross Trophy with 113 points.

Minnesota is a contender on paper and on the ice. The Wild are 11-3-3, first in the Central Division and third in the NHL, and they host the Sharks tonight.

A Malkin pairing with his old teammate would hand Guerin a top-six center who can still finish. It would also take away the one thing Pittsburgh has left that fans pay to see.

Keeping him on a team this far down the standings looks like a bad use of a 40-year-old's final contract year. The same logic is already hanging over Erik Karlsson, whose Karlsson's expected exit from Pittsburgh has been reported as well.

The Penguins visit the Kings on Saturday. The list isn't due until January, and Malkin's name will come up in every conversation until then.

Quick hits

CAPITALS: Tarik El-Bashir revealed the lines and pairs from Friday's practice, one day before Florida visits. Worth a look if you're setting your fantasy lineup.

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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Mark Masters of TSN reports John Tavares is back on the top power-play unit, with Gavin McKenna bumped down ahead of the Habs. That's a notable demotion for the rookie.

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FLORIDA PANTHERS: Beat writer Jameson Olive reports Niko Mikkola is fine after practice, and Barkov and Marchand are traveling. Good news for the Panthers.

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BUFFALO SABRES: Ryan McLeod will be a healthy scratch tonight when the Sabres host the Blue Jackets, according to NHL Rosters.

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DETROIT RED WINGS: Helene St. James reports John Gibson was back at practice today, days after leaving Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay with a lower-body injury. A welcome sight in the crease.

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Also read on Markerzone.com:
Gavin McKenna responds to Leafs' power-play demotion, and his answer speaks volumes