Crosby, Malkin and Letang Want to Stay Together

For a few years now, there have been plenty of conversations surrounding the future of Pittsburgh's core leadership group, and how much longer the longest-tenured trio in the history of the NHL will remain together. Those have taken on a different feel with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang's contract situations, as they are set to become unrestricted free agents.

As much as that group - and all of us, for that matter - haven't wanted to think about this past season potentially being their last ride, they understand this is a business. While it's impossible to imagine this team without those three together, that's a real possibility. But ultimately, they don't want to go anywhere. They want to stay in Pittsburgh and finish their careers together as Penguins.
"I think we all feel the same way," Sidney Crosby said. "We've been fortunate enough to play together for a long time, we've been through a lot. I think when you look at all those experiences, there's a lot of belief, a lot of trust in one another - and with that, we've had success too.
"That's very rare, and I think we all appreciate that. That being said, we understand that it's not something that can happen forever. But hopefully, a little bit longer. Hopefully, we continue to play together. It's unique, it's special. And I think we've done a pretty good job as a group and as a team. So hopefully, that plays into it, too."

That's quite the understatement, as they've made the playoffs in each of their 16 seasons together, which is the longest-active streak in the major North American professional sports leagues. Those have come with four trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, '16 and '17.
Along the way, Crosby, Malkin and Letang have each built remarkable legacies that have become intertwined, and in the process, even more special. For as gratifying as it is to each make such an incredible individual mark on this sport at its highest level, to simultaneously accomplish such incredible team success for a world-class organization like this one is truly something exceptional.
As Mike Sullivan said, it truly is hard to articulate what they mean to the organization they have become synonymous with.
"I can't say enough about these guys and how driven they are and their desire to win, their care for the Pittsburgh Penguins and their teammates," Sullivan said. "When you look at the legacy that has been built here over the last 16 years, those three guys are the cornerstone of that excellence."

And it is hard for them to articulate what they mean to each other. Outside of all of the championships and trophies and awards and accomplishments, what has made this superstar trio so special is how close they are.
"There's a bond between them I think is unbreakable," goaltender Tristan Jarry said.
That comes from essentially entering the league together as kids, and then growing up alongside each other through the highest of highs, lowest of lows and everything in-between for such a long period of time.
"Oh, it's amazing. It's two brothers," Malkin said. "One Canadian, one French Canadian. I love them both. It's not just hockey, it's life. We spend so much time together. We know each other so well."

After leading the Penguins to that 2009 championship as young guys, a few years later, Crosby signed a 12-year deal in 2012. The following summer, both Malkin and Letang signed eight-year contracts before reaching free agency.
All three of those extensions were incredibly team-friendly, with the players making sacrifices so that they could stay together and have more success in Pittsburgh… which they did, in droves. Now, Malkin and Letang are in unfamiliar territory when it comes to their current situations.
"I've always signed extensions in the past, so it's not something where I know what to expect," Letang said. "It's always been the main goal, to stay here and play in Pittsburgh. … I certainly tried to help build something good here, and obviously want to keep it going."
"Pittsburgh, it's my second hometown," Malkin said. "I'm here 16 years, it's amazing. It's hard to understand what's going on right now because we just lost a couple days ago. It's still painful. But I hope we find a way to all be happy. If you play like 20 years for one club, it's amazing. It's a business, but I'm ready both ways. If I stay, I will be so much happier."
Their ages are a factor, as Malkin will turn 36 on July 31, and Letang turned 35 on April 24. But they've proven those are just numbers, with both continuing to maintain their elite levels of play.

"I know I'm older, but I believe in myself," Malkin said.
Despite missing the first three months of the season following major knee surgery, Malkin returned and reached the 20-goal mark for the 13th time in his career in just 41 games. He's looking forward to a summer of actually training instead of rehabbing, saying when he's healthy, he's capable of so much.
"No injury, and I feel amazing," he said. "It's a new challenge for me, for sure. I want to be back at my level and show I'm still a good player and show my best, because I want to play all 82 games, make the playoffs. I want to play in a Final or a semifinal and believe we still have a chance if I stay here. We have a great organization; great coach and we still have a chance to win."
In addition to age, money, of course, is another factor. Malkin joked earlier in the season that he wasn't thinking about that, because "I'm a pretty rich guy." And while it's truly not a big deal to him, Malkin does have a family - a wife, son and his parents - to take care of, and wants to ensure that they all have the best future possible.
"I believe I am still a good player and I believe good players sign good contracts," Malkin said. "If I say once I'm a rich guy, it does not mean I deserve like a $1 million contract. … Again, it's business, but we will see what's going on. I hope we sign a good deal. I only can say right now at my point I want to play like three or four years."
Letang believes that he could go a bit longer, which is absolutely no surprise after the year he just had. With Malkin and Crosby both sidelined to start the season, Letang was Pittsburgh's rock from beginning to end.
His 16th season was the best of his career, with Letang establishing personal bests in assists (58), points (68) and time on ice (25:47). That number jumped mightily in the playoffs, with Letang averaging 29:51 minutes in the First Round and making it look easy.
"I feel really good," Letang said. "My body, it's been great for the last few years and I see myself playing probably four or five years." He then paused before adding, "Easily."

Those estimations put a smile on the captain's face when he heard them.
"Glad to hear that Geno said three and Tanger said five-plus, probably. Not surprised either at either of those answers," Crosby laughed. "Those are pretty much par for the course right there. But glad that they're looking to keep playing. They can, and they're playing at a high level."
Crosby is proud of how his friends handled themselves through all of the question marks surrounding their contract status this season, saying it's amazing that they were able to put that aside and continue to play the way they did.
Now, the news and rumors going around will only be amplified in the coming days and weeks. But hopefully, when it's all said and done, Malkin and Letang return to play those remaining years alongside their captain.
"They're generational players, and Pittsburgh's lucky enough to have three of them for the last 15 years," Jarry said. "The bond that they've created is irreplacable. … It's a business, but I think that if they're able to come back, they definitely will."