The Latest Breaking News from Evgeni Malkin

Perhaps it's the start of something bigger, a season-long tour de force where the Penguins prove to the rest of the NHL that rumors of their demise were premature, that the old guys can keep up and the younger core can play a little, too.

PITTSBURGH — No, that was not another preseason game for the Penguins. It just felt like it.

PITTSBURGH — As reporters gathered around Evgeni Malkin's dressing room stall at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for the first time since pandemic restrictions were lifted, the Penguins center was clearly ready. Once he finished untying his skates following a morning workout and scrimmage, Malkin quickly started cracking off jokes.

PITTSBURGH — I'm pretty lucky to be working in an amazing sports town. I have covered some incredible coaches and managers, including six Hall of Famers. Chuck Tanner might be the nicest man I ever met in sports. Herb Brooks was a fascinating character, as are Eddie Johnston, Michel Therrien…

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins on Tuesday signed Mike Sullivan to a three-year contract extension, locking down the franchise's most accomplished coach and one of the league's most respected bench bosses for years to come.

It’s a question that has been on the minds of Penguins fans since Jim Rutherford abruptly resigned seven games into the 2020-21 season. It’s also one the team’s former general manager has been considering himself more and more lately.

PITTSBURGH — It could have turned out poorly. In some ways, it did. Ben Roethlisberger was a shell of himself for significant portions of last season.

PITTSBURGH — The Penguins are giving Kasperi Kapanen one more chance — actually, two.

Mike Sullivan is thrilled the Penguins re-signed Evgeni Malkin to a new four-year, $24.4 million contract late Tuesday, keeping Malkin from hitting free agency at noon Wednesday. All along, Sullivan has pushed for the team to keep Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Malkin together. That is understandable. The three "generational…