Malkin's four-word claim set Penguins pregame order with Crosby
Sidney Crosby recalled on Spittin' Chiclets how Evgeni Malkin claimed the right to take the ice before him after returning from a shoulder injury as a rookie. Malkin pointed to his three seasons in Russia's Super League, and Crosby accepted the arrangement. The two Penguins stars kept that pregame order for the rest of their time as teammates.
Pittsburgh’s pregame sequence became a small ritual with a clear hierarchy. Malkin’s shoulder issue kept him out of the Penguins’ early 2006-07 games, so he was absent when the club first arranged its lineup for taking the ice.
Once healthy, he addressed Crosby directly and invoked his three campaigns with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russia’s Super League. Crosby, then in his second NHL season, initially reacted with confusion and laughter, but chose not to contest the claim. Malkin went on to earn Calder Trophy honors that season.
This anecdote may resonate with hockey fans who enjoy behind-the-scenes dressing-room lore, and it could reinforce how informal seniority rituals shape team dynamics. Young players might see how confidence and negotiation can establish roles, while teammates may appreciate Crosby’s willingness to defer. The story may remain lighthearted, affecting mainly Penguins followers and those interested in athlete relationships rather than broader society.