Penguins' GM comes clean about trading Evgeni Malkin

Pens GM, Jim Rutherford loves to make bold moves and go for the Stanley Cup every single year. A true leader who always has the best interest of his team in mind, the Hall-of-Fame executive lives in luxury in Pittsburgh with both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the fold. And if you ask Rutherford, while he's managing the team, neither of them are going anywhere.

Rutherford spoke to Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on their podcast '31 Thoughts', and was asked about the Evgeni Malkin rumors surfacing out of Russia, in what seems like, every single summer.

It appears the only way Malkin moves is if he demands a trade, and that doesn't seem likely unless you get your reports from Russia. Rutherford wasn't shy when asked and clapped back beautifully:

Rutherford on 31 Thoughts asked if there will be any Evgeni Malkin trade rumours this offseason: "Only if someone makes them up, it won't come from Pittsburgh *laughs all around*"
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 16, 2020

Here's the full episode if you want more from Rutherford:

🏒 31 Thoughts Podcast 🏒@JeffMarek and @FriedgeHNIC discuss a busy few weeks around the @NHL and the importance of the playoffs. They’re also joined by @Penguins GM Jim Rutherford and new @NJDevils coach Lindy Ruff.

🎧 LISTEN: https://t.co/pVrV3EyTa9

Presented by @GMCcanada pic.twitter.com/QGBxX9n1W3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 16, 2020