The Latest Breaking News from Sidney Crosby

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…

Much as some people might want Penguins general manager Ron Hextall to live in two worlds, he can't. Nobody can.

MONTREAL — From Pittsburgh to the third overall pick.

First, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

PITTSBURGH — His season began with COVID-19, which forced him to miss five games in November.

PITTSBURGH — Locker-cleanout day always is a brutal day, one of the worst days of the year for all sports teams. It signifies the end of a season and, unless your team won the championship, of failure to one degree or another. Maybe worst of all, you know the same…

PITTSBURGH — I hate to disagree with Tristan Jarry, who gave his all against the New York Rangers on Sunday night by playing hurt after missing a month with a broken foot and playing well enough to give the Penguins a chance to win Game 7.

The Penguins' first-round playoff loss to the Rangers is the fourth consecutive early exit for the team. It is their third straight first-round loss, and it was a series they all but had won and blew. The Penguins led 3-1 in the series, they had a two-goal lead in Games…