When Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was asked on Sunday before the Penguins and Capitals game whether he had any updates on the status of Evgeni Malkin, he didn't really have one ... but he does expect Malkin to be out for the rest of the season. That diagnosis was expected after it was reported that Malkin tore his ACL and MCL on Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
Penguins Coach Expects Evgeni Malkin To Be Out For Season
“It’s a serious injury at this point,” Bylsma told reporters before the game against Washington. “Surgery would be in that category. Even rehab, I’m not sure what the prognosis would be with that. I don’t know if he’s talked to the doctors about what the options are at this point.
The Penguins have called up Tim Wallace from the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins to replace Malkin. Wallace has 15 goals and 28 points for the baby Penguins this season and led the team last season with 27 goals.
The Penguins will have the chance to replace Malkin at the trade deadline as well. The Penguins will have Malkin’s cap space to work with and a handful of weeks to find a rental center or forward to plug into the lineup. One of the lone bright spots for the Penguins is that they have been able to win without Malkin in the lineup; the team has nine wins in the 10 games that Malkin has missed this season.
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