Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Separate, Who are Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Nov 24, 2023
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Separate
In a surprising move during a Thanksgiving Day practice, the Pittsburgh Penguins implemented significant changes to their power play units, notably separating the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. This strategic shakeup comes in the wake of lackluster power play performances, pushing the coaching staff to hit the shuffle button. While injuries to key players like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell may have influenced the composition of the units, the separation of Crosby and Malkin is a departure from the norm. These two stalwarts have been synonymous with the Penguins' power play, sharing the ice on the same unit for a considerable duration.
The repercussions of this change were evident in the Penguins' recent game against the New York Rangers, where they struggled, going 0-5 on the power play in a shutout loss. In a contest where even a single power play goal could have made a substantial difference, the decision to split Crosby and Malkin raises eyebrows. With only seven power play goals on 51 attempts, the Penguins currently sit at a 13.73% success rate, ranking 25th in the NHL. As the team navigates this adjustment, the effectiveness of the revamped power play units will undoubtedly be under scrutiny, and the impact on the overall performance of Crosby and Malkin will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
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Who is Sidney Crosby?
Sidney Crosby is a renowned Canadian professional ice hockey center and currently serves as the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Earning the nicknames "Sid the Kid" and "The Next One," Crosby made a significant mark on the sport after being selected as the first overall pick by the Penguins in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Hailing from Halifax, Crosby's journey to hockey stardom was characterized by his exceptional skills and talent, making him one of the most celebrated prospects in the history of ice hockey.
Raised in Halifax, Crosby's reputation precedes him as he is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time. His on-ice prowess, leadership qualities, and numerous accolades have solidified his status as a hockey icon. As the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby's impact extends beyond individual achievements, influencing the team's success and contributing to his legacy as a pivotal figure in the NHL's rich history.
Name
Sidney Crosby
Born
August 7, 1987
Born Place
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Age
36
Height
5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight
200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position
Centre
Shoots
Left
NHL Team
Pittsburgh Penguins
National Team
Canada
NHL Draft
1st overall, 2005, Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing Career
2005–present
Sidney Crosby Career
Sidney Crosby has etched his name into the annals of ice hockey history with a stellar career. Selected as the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Crosby quickly lived up to the hype, earning nicknames like "Sid the Kid" and "The Next One." His journey began in the major junior league with the Rimouski Océanic, where he garnered numerous awards and led the team to the 2005 Memorial Cup final.
Debuting in the NHL during the 2005–06 season, Crosby showcased his extraordinary talent by recording 102 points, finishing as the runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Notably, at the age of 18 years and 253 days, he became the youngest player to reach 100 points in an NHL season. In his second season, he led the NHL with 120 points, securing the Art Ross Trophy and becoming the youngest player to win a scoring title in any major North American sports league.
Crosby's leadership and skill continued to shine, with achievements such as winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award in the 2006-07 season. In the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, he captained the Penguins to a runner-up finish, only to lead them to victory the following year, becoming the youngest NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup.
Throughout his career, Crosby faced challenges, including a concussion in 2011 that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. However, he rebounded, securing accolades like the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2009-10 and winning the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer with 51 goals.
Internationally, Crosby has been a stalwart for Team Canada, achieving success at the World Junior Championships in 2005 and clinching gold in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He further solidified his place in hockey history by leading Canada to victory in the World Championship, becoming the only player in the Triple Gold Club to have captained all three winning teams.
Crosby's career is marked not just by individual brilliance but by his leadership, resilience, and a string of team accomplishments, including Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. His impact extends beyond the NHL, as evidenced by his role in leading Team Canada to gold in the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. With numerous awards, records, and a consistent presence on the international stage, Sidney Crosby stands as one of the greatest and most influential players in the history of ice hockey.
Sidney Crosby Family and Personal Life
Sidney Crosby, born on August 7, 1987, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is deeply connected to his family and upbringing. Born to Troy and Trina Crosby, he entered the world at the Grace Maternity Hospital. The significance of his birthdate is mirrored in his jersey number, 87, and his 2007 contract signing for $8.7 million per year. Crosby's roots trace back to nearby Cole Harbour, where he spent his formative years alongside his younger sister, Taylor.
Troy Crosby, Sidney's father, contributed to the family's hockey legacy as a goaltender for the Verdun Junior Canadiens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Although drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984, Troy never played in the NHL. Young Crosby, inspired by his father and hockey great Steve Yzerman, began honing his skills early, starting to play hockey at the age of two. Even as a youngster, he admired the sport and practiced in his basement, sparking a well-known anecdote of him shooting pucks into a net with the family dryer as a makeshift goalie.
Despite Crosby's fame and success, he maintains a private life, staying out of the spotlight and eschewing social media. However, one aspect that has garnered attention is his longstanding relationship with Kathy Leutner. The two met through mutual friends in 2008 and have sustained their connection since. Leutner, a model, shares Crosby's preference for privacy, and details about her personal life remain largely undisclosed. As of the latest information, Crosby and Leutner do not have any reported children, and his future plans regarding family expansion are not publicly known. This commitment to privacy, both in his personal life and relationships, adds a layer of intrigue to the story of Sidney Crosby, one of hockey's most accomplished and enigmatic figures.
Who is Evgeni Malkin?
Evgeni Malkin is a prominent Russian professional ice hockey center and the alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Affectionately nicknamed "Geno," Malkin's illustrious career traces back to his roots with the hometown club Metallurg Magnitogorsk, where he honed his skills by playing for both their junior and senior teams. His remarkable journey took a pivotal turn in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft when Malkin was selected second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking the beginning of his impactful career on the North American hockey stage.
Known for his dynamic style of play, Malkin has become a key figure in the NHL, showcasing exceptional skill, versatility, and leadership. As an alternate captain for the Penguins, he has been an integral part of the team's successes, contributing to multiple Stanley Cup championships. Off the ice, Malkin's presence is characterized by his dedication to the game and his hometown roots, making him a celebrated and influential figure in the world of professional ice hockey.
Name
Evgeni Malkin
Born
31 July 1986
Born Place
Magnitogorsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Age
37
Height
6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight
195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position
Centre
Shoots
Left
NHL Team
Pittsburgh Penguins
Former Teams
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
National Team
Russia
NHL Draft
2nd overall, 2004, Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing Career
2003–present
Evgeni Malkin Career
Evgeni Vladimirovich Malkin, born on July 31, 1986, in Magnitogorsk, Russia, has crafted an illustrious career as a professional ice hockey center, notably serving as the alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Familiarly known as "Geno," Malkin's journey began with his hometown club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, where he showcased his talents at both the junior and senior levels.
Despite being selected second overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, an international transfer dispute temporarily delayed Malkin's NHL debut until 2006. In his rookie season, Malkin's stellar performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. The following season proved to be equally impressive, with Malkin contributing significantly to Pittsburgh's advancement to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. His outstanding play led him to be a runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player during the regular season.
Malkin's excellence continued, as he secured the Art Ross Trophy in the subsequent season, recognizing him as the points leader in the NHL. In tandem with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he claimed the Stanley Cup championship, with Malkin receiving the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. The pinnacle of Malkin's individual accolades came in 2012 when he was honored with the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, the latter given to the best player as voted on by the players. Malkin's remarkable 12-point lead in points was the most substantial margin of victory since 1999, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the NHL.
Internationally, Malkin has been a stalwart for Russia, contributing to multiple IIHF World U18 Championships and World Junior Championships. His junior career boasts one gold, two silvers, and one bronze medal, with Malkin earning the tournament MVP title in 2006. As a senior player, he has competed in four IIHF World Championships, winning gold twice and being named the tournament MVP in 2012. Additionally, Malkin has represented Russia in three Winter Olympic Games: Turin, Vancouver, and Sochi, showcasing his prowess on the global stage.
In recognition of his enduring impact on Russian hockey, Malkin was named to the IIHF All-Time Russia Team in 2020. With an impressive blend of individual awards, team successes, and international contributions, Evgeni Malkin's career stands as a testament to his skill, leadership, and lasting influence on the sport of ice hockey.
Evgeni Malkin Family and Personal Life
Evgeni Malkin, born on July 31, 1986, in Magnitogorsk, comes from a family deeply rooted in the industrial city's dominant industry. His parents, Vladimir and Natalia Malkin, were part of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, the largest iron and steel works in Russia. Vladimir, in addition to his work, also played a role in the Metallurg Magnitogorsk youth and club hockey system, laying the early foundations for Malkin's exposure to the sport. Growing up with an older brother, Denis, who is a year his senior, Malkin's familial ties were an integral part of his upbringing.
Malkin's journey into the world of hockey began at the tender age of three, and by the age of five, he had already joined his first organized hockey league. Despite both of his parents being of shorter stature, Malkin defied expectations and showcased exceptional talent in ice hockey from an early age, eventually evolving into a world-class athlete. His upbringing, influenced by his family's connection to the sport and the industrial backdrop of Magnitogorsk, laid the groundwork for Malkin's future success in professional hockey.
In his personal life, Malkin's story extends to his engagement to Russian television personality Anna Kasterova in November 2015. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, on May 31, 2016, marking a significant milestone in Malkin's personal life. Beyond the rink, Malkin's family and personal experiences add depth to the narrative of this accomplished athlete's life.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Separate - FAQs
The decision to separate Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the power play may be strategic, aiming to diversify offensive options and maximize scoring opportunities.
Crosby's performance post-separation is subject to on-ice dynamics. Evaluating individual and team outcomes will provide insights into the impact of this strategic change.
As of the recent changes, Crosby's power play unit includes players like Jake Guentzel, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Radim Zohorna.
The separation might be temporary and influenced by factors like injuries. Coaches often adjust lineups for optimal performance, so the configuration could evolve.
Assessing the power play unit's performance post-separation is crucial. It allows fans and analysts to gauge the effectiveness of the new combinations and strategies.