Maturing Malkin could hold key to Penguins’ season

by Matt Gajtka

Multiple scientific studies claim the male brain reaches its mature state around age 25. Insurance companies know this, as 25 has long been the benchmark for reduction in car insurance premiums for young men.

With that idea in mind, perhaps it’s unrealistic to expect athletes less than a quarter century old to “find their games” while playing major professional sports. However, in the NHL, elite prospects are expected to perform at the highest level of the sport with minimal (or zero) minor-league seasoning beforehand.

It’s difficult to blame talent evaluators, coaches, fans, etc. for their high expectations, especially when players like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin from this generation and Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky from previous eras dominate as teenagers.

Beyond those legends and legends-in-progress, there are guys like Carolina’s Jeff Skinner who have been exemplary under 20, even if they don’t project to be Hall of Famers. Perhaps this is unique to hockey, as speed and skill can often overcome an underdeveloped physique, especially in the reduced-obstruction post-lockout NHL.

Physical strength hasn’t been an issue for the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin during his first five seasons in the NHL. His explosiveness and surprising power considering his wiry frame have largely propelled him to many moments of transcendence, culminating in his Art Ross Trophy-winning 2008-09 season and subsequent Conn Symthe-worthy postseason as the Penguins claimed the Stanley Cup.

In truth, though, Malkin’s spectacular highs have been somewhat counterbalanced by spates of inconsistency. He was on pace for career-worst levels of production last season when a major knee injury ended his campaign in February.

All of which brings us back to the number 25. “Geno” turned 25 last month while continuing what looks to be a complete recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee. With Sidney Crosby’s status still uncertain due to lingering effects of a concussion, Malkin may be asked to carry much more of the weight than he is accustomed to shouldering.

Of course, Malkin has excelled in the No. 1 center role before, most memorably late in the 2007-08 season when Crosby was out for 20-plus games with a high ankle sprain. Malkin, in just his second year, played at an MVP level to keep the Penguins in contention for an Atlantic Division crown they eventually clinched during the last week of the season.

Maybe at age 25 and with six months of rest and rehab behind him, Malkin will be better able to handle the responsibility of being the lone superstar on the CONSOL Energy Center marquee. As sad as it may be, Crosby could still be looking at several additional months of recovery, and it will be up to No. 71 to keep the Penguins clicking offensively.

Crosby could also be back for the first preseason game in late September, but that doesn’t mean the Penguins couldn’t benefit greatly from having a more mature Malkin to ride shotgun with No. 87.

At 25, Malkin can now rent a car in the United States (or save a bundle on his car insurance), but what we will all find out is whether he can drive the Penguins – with or without his co-pilot.

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