Okay, realistically, how many playoff teams are not a top-5 Cup contender trading their 1C for Malkin? Just going by last year... Listen, I'm not sure who you'd have as a top-5 Cup contender last year, but to me, the closest centers to Malkin who made the playoffs were uhh, idk, Bergeron, Backstrom, Matthews, Stamkos, Couturier, Kopitar, MacKinnon? I am certainly higher than average on Bergeron, Backstrom, Matthews, Couturier, and Kopitar, probably about average on Kopitar, but the only scenarios on this list that I don't think trading them for Malkin makes them a top-5 team are MacKinnon and *MAYBE* Kopitar, and I'm very uncertain on Kopitar, and I think MacKinnon should've won the MVP if we're deciding McDavid can't win because he didn't make the playoffs (love Hall, it was hilarious that he won, MacKinnon is better), and I'm very low on last year's Avs roster beyond their best like, 4-5 players. Malkin is insanely good.
RyJo to Malkin... Eklund's wet dream (why does he love Nashville so much??) - Nashville probably stomps everyone on their way to a Cup. I took to Arvidsson before his breakout year and he was one of those guys I'm proud of noticing despite not being on my team. Imagine Malkin centering Arvidsson/Forsberg, and knowing they'd almost always be on the ice with two of Josi, Ekholm, Subban, and Ellis. Insane. Nashville is great to begin with.