Evgeni Malkin anchors the Penguins as a veteran presence whose health and chemistry with Crosby shape lines, PP duties, and fantasy upside. His potential farewell season adds urgency to his ramp-up and could boost late-season value if paired with Crosby.

Malkin anchors the Penguins’ veteran core, providing a consistent scoring option as the team rebuilds around a younger group. His continued presence adds depth and a steady fantasy floor, helping balance the risk of a more youth-heavy lineup while offering upside on PP1 with Crosby and Karlsson.

Malkin is cited in debates over the No. 2 overall pick and era-adjusted value, balancing points, hardware, and two-way play. His 1,346 points in 1,213 games, plus multiple awards, underscores the No. 2 pick’s potential to land a historic, multi-category contributor for fantasy rosters across its peak years.

Malkin anchors the veteran core and provides a historical benchmark for the Penguins’ rebuild, offering high-end scoring and leadership experience that supports McGroarty’s development and the club’s timeline toward sustained contention.

Malkin’s fading pace and recent point totals push him toward a deep-league flyer at best, with the host signaling caution due to age and Pittsburgh’s uncertain depth beyond Crosby. His fantasy ceiling has clearly declined from peak years, making him a risky pick outside very deep rosters.