Penguins teammates rip player ranking that leaves off Evgeni Malkin

Everybody loves a good ranking list, mostly because fans love to get angry about where teams or players are ranked on said list.

ESPN gave the hockey world quite a doozy of a list on Tuesday when they published a top-100 player ranking for the 2023-24 season. One of the most controversial decisions on that list was to exclude Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin.

Not only was Malkin not included in the top 100, but he also did not appear on the honorable mentions list — a list that included two rookies (Arizona Coyotes forward Logan Cooley and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli) who have only played a handful of games in the NHL. 

Aside from angering Penguins fans, it also ruffled some feathers within the Penguins' locker room. 

The Athletic's Josh Yohe asked Malkin's teammates about the snub on Tuesday and they did not hold back.

Defenseman Marcus Pettersson called it a "joke," while defenseman Ryan Graves called it "literally crazy" while adding he would not even read the article. 

The most interesting critique, however, came from center Lars Eller who is new to the Penguins roster this season and has had extensive playing time going against Malkin and the Penguins as an opposing player. 

From The Athletic:

“I think maybe some in the media and the outside hockey world just doesn’t understand and they don’t give him the attention he should get, that Sid gets,” Eller said. “But let me tell you, players playing against him understand. When I’ve played against Pittsburgh in the past, I always thought he was as dangerous and as capable of beating you as Sid. It’s not like you’d just prepare for Sid in a playoff series. There were two of them.”

Malkin may not be the force he was at his peak, but there is no way there are 100 (or 110 including the honorable mentions) better than him for this season. He is still one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league and has averaged more than a point per game even as he gets into his late 30s. 

ESPN said its list was compiled by reporters, broadcasters, analysts and editors with the mindset of the most impactful players for the 2023-24 season. There were no other criteria given. Even though Malkin's play and production have declined a bit, there are still not many players capable of taking over a game like him. Part of the explanation for Malkin's omission might simply be the fact the Penguins have not had much playoff success since their Stanley Cup win during the 2016-17 season and have been passed by several other younger, up-and-coming teams.

There is an incredible wave of young talent coming through the NHL, and they are getting most of the headlines and attention and winning most of the awards and championships. It is still hard to imagine Malkin not being good enough to be included with them. Especially when he still has the numbers.