CBC NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman: Where's Malkin?
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - CBC Hockey Night In Canada reporter Elliotte Friedman takes Vinnie & Cook for a spin around the ice on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.
While Friedman likes what he sees from the Pittsburgh Penguins, he still has one question about the team.
"I still wonder why it is that Malkin never appears to be at his best when Sidney Crosby is healthy," Friedman said. "I don't know if it's because Crosby comes back and he doesn't feel the same urgency or pull. I don't worry about the guy because he's a great player and you assume he'll snap out of it eventually. But, I'd love to get the answer to that question because he never seems to be as good whenever [Crosby] is at full strength."
Friedman also will be looking at Pittsburgh's defense, especially when the postseason comes.
"I remember talking to [Penguins GM] Ray Shero after the first-round loss last season, and he said, 'We just didn't have the mentality to defend.' He talked a lot about that being the problem and the number one thing they wanted to correct this year. To me, the biggest question they'll have to answer when they start the playoffs is whether they're committed to defend. They were not last year," Friedman said.
Friedman marvels at the Penguins' 8-2 road record, but he's also scratching his head over some of their struggles at home. He also explains why he thinks Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk overreacted to the Matt Cooke situation, and looks ahead to Wednesday night's Penguins-Flyers matchup.
