Penguins Update: Just Supposin’

So let’s say for the sake of argument the rumors about the Penguins being willing to part with some of their superstars are true. What type of potential deal are we looking at?

Since he seems to be the subject of the hottest rumors, let’s start with Evgeni Malkin. Where would he go and what type of return would we get?

The prevailing winds swirling around No. 71 say he might be bound for a destination with warmer climes. Sunrise, Florida in particular. The Panthers reportedly intend to open the vault for Artemi Panarin, presently a Blue Jacket but soon to be a free agent.

Although they’re already blessed with an outstanding young center in Aleksander Barkov (96 points this season), word on the street is Florida GM Dale Tallon may be interested in importing Malkin to pair with Panarin.

The “Bread Man” and “Geno” would, indeed, be a potentially dazzling combination. However, is a Malkin-to-Florida deal feasible?

Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to increase the salary cap to $83 million…$3.5 million above the current level. The Panthers presently have $3.2 million in existing cap space. If they allow their four existing UFAs to walk, it frees up $7.6 million in cap space, for a total of $14.3 million.

Assuming Panarin could command as much as $10 million per season, it would leave roughly $4.3 million to devote to adding Malkin and others.

The name most bandied about as a possible return for Geno is Vincent Trocheck, who happens to be a Pittsburgh native. Both players are under contract through 2021-22…Malkin at an AAV of $9.5 million and Trocheck at $4.75 million. The difference…$4.75 million…would eat up Florida’s remaining cap space and then some. So the Pens would likely need to take another player off the Panthers’ hands.

Glancing at Florida’s roster, no one really jumps out as a throw-in. The Pens are fairly well set on defense, so my guess is the second player would in all likelihood be a forward. Henrik Borgstrom, a lanky 21-year-old center who’s built somewhat along the lines of Geno (6’3” 185), earns $925,000. A skilled former first-round pick, he’s regarded as a diamond in the rough.

If such a deal were made, Trocheck would make an intriguing addition to the Pens. He’s no Malkin, that’s for sure. But he’s a skilled, versatile player who can also play wing. Although small in stature (5’10” 186) he isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty (over 100 hits in each of the past four seasons). He’s good on draws (51.1 percent for his career) and has decent possession numbers (51.9 percent Corsi). Soon to be 26, he’s just entering his prime.

Nor is he a slouch when it comes to scoring. Following consecutive seasons of 20-plus goals, Trocheck lit the lamp 31 times in 2017-18 and tallied 75 points…second only to Barkov on the Panthers. I need to point out that 13 of those goals (and 27 points) came on the power play.

Last season was a bit of a disappointment as the kid slipped to 10 goals and 34 points in 55 games. But he does possess some pedigree. And he does fit the mold of a classic number-two center.

I’d guess Pens GM Jim Rutherford would try to wrangle a draft pick or two from Tallon to sweeten the pot.

Bottom line. Malkin-for-Trocheck is hardly an apples-to-apples swap. But in all likelihood, JR will have difficulty securing equal value in return for his two-time scoring champ. At this stage of Geno’s career, nobody is going to give you a Barkov for him. And the aforementioned trade looks doable.

But does it make sense for the Pens?

Boy, that’s a tough one. Without Malkin, we don’t win three Cups. As recently as 2017-18, he still was among the game’s elite players (fourth in the NHL scoring race with 98 points). He began last season with guns a blazin’ before falling into a prolonged funk. It isn’t hard to imagine a motivated Geno enjoying a bounce-back season or two, especially if he feels he’s got something to prove.

Then again, his subpar campaign (a career-worst minus-25) could spell the beginning of the end.

You just don’t know.

Glad I’m not the one making these decisions.