Malkin on ‘workaholic’ Crosby, Penguins’ chances for three Cups in a row

Evgeni Malkin shared some interesting observations with Sports-Express’ Igor Eronko this weekend, including that he believes that the Pittsburgh Penguins “have all the tools” to win a third Stanley Cup in a row. Quite reasonably, Malkin notes that the team kept its core intact. Of course, Malkin and Sidney Crosby are still the catalysts for the Penguins, so it’s always fun to come across the latest observations from the Russian star.

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  Jonathan Toews ranked No. 12 among centers by NHL Network. Is that too low?

  Second City Hockey
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  Patrice Bergeron’s Rank On NHL Network’s Best Centers List Will Shock You

  New England Sports Network

Beauchemin signs on for third stint with Ducks (Updated)

Francois Beauchemin will once again be playing for the Anaheim Ducks, according to TVA Sports and Renaud Lavoie. The contract reportedly comes with a base salary of $1 million and the potential to earn roughly $500,000 more in performance bonuses. This would be Beauchemin’s third stint with the team. He played with Anaheim for parts of four campaigns from 2005-06 through 2008-09. Along the way he averaged a staggering 30:33 minutes per game in the playoffs during the Ducks’ 2007 championship run. His second stint with the club spanned parts of five seasons from 2010-11 through 2014-15. As was the case during his previous run, Beauchemin was a workhorse and in the 2013 lockout shortened season

Options to replace Girardi & Stepan as alternate captains

Last season the Rangers had a group of four alternate captains including Marc Staal, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Dan Girardi. After moving Stepan and Girardi the Rangers could have two potential openings for players to wear letters on the front of their jerseys. Since Ryan McDonagh became captain in 2014-15, the Rangers alternate captains have been: 14-15: Stepan, Marty St. Louis, Staal and Girardi 15-16: Stepan, Staal and Girardi 16-17: Stepan, Staal, Girardi and Rick Nash Alain Vigneault told Dan Rosen of NHL.com that he and his staff will see who wants to do more on the ice and off the ice, "who wants to expand his role as far as leadership and example and influence?" (NHL.com) Adam Rotter:

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  Who Could the Rangers Extend a Professional Tryout to?

  Blueshirt Banter
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  New York Rangers: Sizing up the Fringe Prospects

  The Hockey Writers