Pittsburgh Penguins need more from Evgeni Malkin

The Pittsburgh Penguins are really fortunate to have two of the best players in the league at the same position, on the same team. Sidney Crosby is the best player in the NHL and Evgeni Malkin is probably one of the five most talented players in the league. That's why those two have been dubbed the "two-headed monster."


When the Penguins landed Crosby it rejuvenated the franchise. Sid is a once-in-a-lifetime player, who gives 110 percent on almost every shift. Crosby also says and does the right things off the ice. Then in the 2004 draft, the Pens landed Malkin with the second overall pick. Malkin lived up to his billing early, getting 85 points in his first season, winning the Calder trophy for Rookie of the year. He followed that season by having 106 points and helping the Pens get the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Pens rewarded Geno with a new contract, five years, 8.7 million a year, which was very similar to Crosby's deal.

In 2008-2009, Crosby went down with an injury but Malkin stepped his game up and kept the Penguins afloat in the playoff picture. He also went on to win the Art Ross trophy, which is given to the leading scorer in the National Hockey League. Malkin finished first in points with 113 and was also the runner-up Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin for the Hart Trophy (League MVP).

Malkin continued his dominance in the playoffs that year, helping the Pens win their third Stanley Cup in the history of the franchise. Malkin finished as the top scorer in the playoffs and took home the Conn Smythe trophy, which is given to the playoff MVP.

After that season, a lot of people began to think that Malkin was the best player on his team, better then Crosby, and some suggested that he was the most complete player in the league. His popularity was at an all-time high, and his parents even became popular cult figures at the games. Despite his lack of English, Malkin was considered hilarious by most and was the toast of the town.
Then came last season. Malkin suffered his first real injury and missed 13 games. He had very disappointing year by his standards, finishing with 28 goals and 77 points. Crosby on the other hand, tied Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lighting for the league lead in goals with 51, earning him a share of the Maurice Rocket Richard trophy. Malkin continued his struggling ways in the playoffs, as he and the Pens were upset by the Montreal Canadians in the second round of the playoffs.
Like most, I thought that Malkin would bounce back in a big way this year. So far he has yet to do that. Right now, Malkin is on pace for a 69-point season, which is well below his standards. It's also below standards for a guy making 8.7 million a year. His teammate, Crosby, who makes the same amount of money as he does, leads the league in points, and continues to grow as a player.
Unlike Malkin, Crosby doesn't seem to go in as drastic droughts as he does. Malkin often disappears in games, and glides too much on the ice. Crosby on the other hand,works for his points and the puck.

When Malkin turns it on he's often the best player on the ice, but most nights he takes way too long on shifts, and often plays lethargic hockey. Unlike Malkin, Crosby works on his weaknesses, like faceoffs for example.

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