By Michael Farber, SI.com
His eyes hath seen the gory.
Ryan Malone was there for the 58-point season prior to the NHL lockout, the last-place divisional finishes, the rank embarrassment of the billboards around his hometown that proclaimed the Pittsburgh Penguins' "X Generation" and featured Marc-André Fleury, Brooks Orpik, Ramzi Abid, Rico Fata and Guillaume Lefebvre but not Malone because five years ago he wasn't even good enough to elbow his way into that dodgy company. He was there when the Penguins were almost sold, when it looked like the franchise might be headed to Kansas City or maybe even southern Ontario, when Ed Olczyk was fired as coach, when new coach Michel Therrien publicly ripped the team, when Hall of Fame general manager Craig Patrick was fired and when his father, Greg Malone, a Penguins stalwart in the late 1970s and early 1980s and later its head scout, walked away two years ago to scout for Phoenix. Malone is an encyclopedia of the good, the bad and especially the crazy that has infested the Penguins through the years.
And now he will see the glory of a Stanley Cup final before he likely walks away from the Penguins after the summer.
The left winger will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 and with Evgeni Malkin's personal Brink's truck idling outside the security gate at Mellon Arena, there is almost no chance Pittsburgh will be able to re-sign one of their alternate captains. The so-called Steel City Line - Malone, Malkin, from the Pittsburgh of Russia, Magnitogorsk, and Petr Sykora, who played with Malkin there during the 2004-05 lockout - will drift into the memory bank where all great sports nicknames go.
But there can be no better final go-around than this: a chance at the brass ring and the silver Cup, a cushy berth for a once beleaguered franchise that Malone helped secure with a transcendent Game 5 Sunday.
The Penguins, who have not lost at home since February, dispatched their bitter intra-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-0, with the help of the usual suspects. The backchecking Sidney Crosby, exhibiting leadership qualities to match his all-world talent, stripped nemesis Mike Richards of the puck to negate a Philadelphia scoring chance and seconds later made a sweet backhand pass to Marian Hossa for the third Pittsburgh goal; Fleury made a spectacular toe save on a point-blank Scott Hartnell rebound attempt among his 21 stops when the game was at least mildly competitive; Malkin, awakening from his one-assist and seven-shot slumber of the past three games, found his rightful place on the scoresheet with a wraparound goal; and Hossa, a playoff cipher no more, had a goal and three assists. But on a viscerally confident team that didn't dress a single straggler, Malone was more impressive than any Penguin.
Malone, so effective Therrien occasionally double-shifted him on the fourth line, figured in three of the Pittsburgh goals in a game so lopsided the sold-out Mellon Arena crowd ran out of original taunts to hurl at the Flyers late in the second period. While Malone lucked into the opening power-play goal fewer than three minutes into the match -- Crosby's shot from the right point caromed off his shin past Flyers goalie Martin Biron -- the others were the handiwork of skill and not serendipity.
On Pittsburgh's second goal seven minutes later, Malone wound up entangled with Biron behind the Flyers net, pinning the goalie's stick along the boards. Malone then corralled the puck and banked a blind, backhand pass off the end boards to Malkin, who had an easy time stuffing the puck behind the stickless and nearly defenseless Biron. And in the second period with Philadelphia's Jeff Carter in the penalty box, Malone set up in the high slot and deftly tipped Sergei Gonchar's wrist shot from the point, a one-hopper that scooted through the goalie.
Considering the rollercoaster ride to the final and a journey that is likely nearing an end, Malone, who accepted post-game congratulations in the dressing room from Penguins chairman Mario Lemieux, was delighted but hardly wistful. "To be part of the team now, four years ago, where we were, Craig rebuilding the team Ray coming in and adding the extra pieces ... " mused Malone, who clearly was more comfortable looking forward than back even while conceding he remembers the New York Islanders second-round upset of Pittsburgh in 1993 as much as he does the back-to-back Cups the previous years. "Fans have been patient, and so far so good."
The last time Pittsburgh won a Cup, in 1992, a 12-year-old Malone, clad in a Penguins jersey, sat in the stands with his father at the Igloo for all the home playoff games.
Now he gets to wear that sweater on the road for the Stanley Cup.
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Comments (32) Add A Comment
i wouldn't be so quick to write Bugsy's exit from town. Pes have some hard choices coming up, but will have some money to spend.
BBnG
Raleigh , NC
Total Comments (24)
I'd expect Malone to sign with the Pens for less than his market value. Who doesn't dream of playing for their hometown team? I think a lot of people would forfeit an extra million if it meant playing in front of friends and family every night.
SeanAverysDad
Total Comments (1)
Enh...I hate to say it but I don't think the Pens will be able to sign Malone...especially w/ a good overall playoff showing this year. Malkin has made it clear that he won't be talking any home town discounts, and lets face it...you don't have to be an all world hokcey player to produce well on Malkin's line. Malone is a character guy, tough, good defensively, locker room leader type and losing him will hurt more just his goals and assists. The exact same thing can be said about Hossa, but ultimately the Pens will keep Malkin whatever the cost. Replacing two forwards who play great defense and can finish up the chances given to them by sid and geno will be a tough challenge and anyone the Pens can bring in will be a downgrade. I wouldn't be suprised if the Pens took a small step back next year, even with the continued development of the young guys.
Tough break for the Flyers with the two injuries...it might have been a different series otherwise. Look for the East to be perceieved as just as strong a conference as the West next year. Look for Pit and Phili in a two team race for the Atlantic as NJ and NYR may have had their window closed shut, and the NYI won't be there yet.
Nice for Staal to have another good game. Thanks to Recci, a true classy guy who won't be forgotten in Pittsburgh anytime soon.
EnoughJOEPATERNO
Marcy , NY
Total Comments (52)
When did Malkin make that clear, EnoughJOPA?
fleckpsu06
Total Comments (168)
If Malone wants to goto the bank then don't let the door hit him in the butt on the way out. Malone is NOT AS GOOD as everyone makes him out to be around here. Look at the line he plays on. Can anyone say Rob Brown, Warren Young, etc.? Truth of the matter is that there are 200 other players in the NHL or the minors who can do what he does for a lot less. Malone only gets the press and praise around here that he does because he's from here.
scootermojo
Total Comments (5)
I dunno man, he's so good in front of the net, not many people want to plant themselves there. He's a true power forward and he's getting better.
fleckpsu06
Total Comments (168)
Malone has matured into a well rounded hockey player. He kills penalties, makes underrated passes, and creates so much traffic in front of the net. I think he is a high priority signing for the Pens, and I think that they'll keep him.
And here's a silly thought: what could the Pens get in return for Malkin in a high profile trade? Just speculating, but Patrick Sharp (36 goals/ 7 SH) and D man Brent Seabrook of Chicago would equal his upcoming salary, or perhaps C Mikko Koivu and D Brett Burns of Minn? Throw in a #1 pick and maybe a grinder and now you're talking...
Of course strictly from a performance perspective, trading Malkin is stupid. But with the maturation of Staal, and Pens upcoming salary cap issues, it might make more financial sense to trade this budding superstar at the height of his value.
AceWhiplash
Total Comments (1)
scootermojo was'nt Kevin Stevens one of them too? Malone is alright but i've been watching "alright" breeze thru Pittsburgh like a cool river for years, however the hometown publicity is good for a team especially with the amount of talent they have on the team right now. I can't say either way just yet, so I guess we'll have to wait and see. For now I just want to watch Crosby and the Pens tear it up in the Stanley Cup finals.
kingeraaa
Total Comments (41)
P-Dog, whenever you get to this thread..... I thought it was funny my predict on Dupuis came through this afternoon. I didnt guarantee a game winner, but at least he did get credit for a goal.
Just got back from the game, and boy, it reminded me of the 8 that the Pens ran up on Minnesota back in the early 90's. What fun. Pens made adjustments on the 1-2-2, and Flyers were back to not being able to move. Fleury looked like the next coming. ... don't count out Malone for next year either. The author crazily wrote like it was a foregone conclusion.
Otto Partz
Total Comments (36)
Everyone, stop trying to reason anything that Farber writes. This guy just wrote a column about Malkin hitting a wall? Come on. We have balanced scoring so not everyone is going to get huge points every game. The business of hockey means we're always going to lose players and we're always going to get free agants. Last time I checked, the guys at W-B are doing quite well for us. Forget the future, let's get the cup now and enjoy. Oh, and be prepared for the fact we may not be back for 15 years!
mikeinpittsburgh
Oakdale , PA
Total Comments (37)
Why is there any conjecture here about Malone? This is the same moron (Farber) that said Gino and the Pens were gassed before Game 5. Looks like he is as big of an idiot as Don Cherry. Don't pay any attention to the naysayers my fellow PENS fans. No matter who we play in the finals, I love our chances. Leave the rest up to the front office for the futrure...........
GO PENS...And Grandma---Get in the fast lane......The Bingo Game is getting ready to start!!!!!!
Larry The Yankee
Total Comments (9)
You are right Mike, and I hammered Farber on that one as well. I think he is employed for the sole purpose of getting a reaction from the board.
Otto Partz
Total Comments (36)
Mike and Otto---you are both right!!!!!!!!!
Larry The Yankee
Total Comments (9)
I agree you guys, anyone with a dissenting opinion about a team I like is a moron!!! As someone who dislikes Farber and how he always brings up '67 when discussing the Leafs it pains me to come to his defense.
As for W-B's success, the success of AHL teams has little correlation with future NHL success. AHL success is often more predicated on journeymen than prospects. The Marlies are doing well this season but the Leafs cupboard is still pretty bare.
Czechvarmander
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (30)
Good comment Czech...I did almost forget that we are down to The Final Four in the AHL .I wish we would have a little of bit of TV coverage on this.
Larry The Yankee
Total Comments (9)
I agree about Farber. I often wonder how he ended up as the hockey writer for SI...
davidej
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (98)
He has written for the Montreal Gazette since forever, I also think he's been with SI since the early '90s.
In a fit of blind fandom I may accuse him of having a Hab bias, but honestly most of his stuff is fair comment, pretty good, and not objectionable at all.
In hindsight was he right about the Pens hitting a wall?
Obviously not, but that doesn't mean we should all get on our high horses and announce "Farber ez tarrible!!!1"
Czechvarmander
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (30)
I get ya Czechy, but I'm talking about the guys the Pens called up and gave us quality games through all the injuries - the Connor James, Nathan Smith, Ryan Stone type guys who donned the sweaters if only for a few games. We've got top guys and you can plug any no name in with them, that's what the minors are designed for - a feeder system. Heck, didn't Goglgoski even see a game or two? Now that's a great hockey name!
mikeinpittsburgh
Oakdale , PA
Total Comments (37)
By the way, did anyone see, I think it was Hatcher, shooting the puck down to Fleury when the final seconds ticked down? I'm a Pens fan, but I think that was such a classy thing to do, so Fleury could save the shutout-puck. I've seen plenty of players just ignoring it or even blasting it up to the stands. It kind of sends a message that this is just a hockey game, and that the Pens deserved their first final in 15 years.
Dashiva
Total Comments (220)
By the way, did anyone see, I think it was Hatcher, shooting the puck down to Fleury when the final seconds ticked down? I'm a Pens fan, but I think that was such a classy thing to do, so Fleury could save the shutout-puck.
I didn't see that - if he did, he's got more class than I've given him credit for.
BBnG
Raleigh , NC
Total Comments (24)
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