Evgeni Malkin is one of the best players of his generation, a future Hall of Famer, three-time Stanley Cup winner, seven-time All-Star, Con Smythe trophy winner, Hart Memorial trophy winner, and Ted Lindsay Award winner.

Evgeni Malkin declined to speak to reporters following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ final regular-season game. And his immediate hockey future has remained a mystery. “Tomorrow!” he shouted as he declined to address the few of us still chasing the flightless birds from arena to arena across the North American continent.