Blockbuster Trade Rumour Emerges Sending Evgeni Malkin to Western Contender, per Elite Prospects

With Tyler Seguin sidelined for the next four to six months rehabbing his hip surgery, the Dallas Stars may look to add upfront, more particularly up the middle.

One intriguing but ambitious possibility: trading for Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin. But adding Malkin would help make the Stars a playoff contender, and it wouldn't be an easy or inexpensive transaction.

Cam Robinson from Elite Prospects said he has started to hear rumblings of this possible trade becoming more and more likely.

At 38, Malkin is still among the best at getting it done, ranking among the elite in the league at making a difference with elite playmaking ability and a knack for scoring when it matters most. He also has many milestones with the Penguins team.

Add him to the roster, and the Stars are set up for a very robust one-two punch alongside Jamie Benn that could give Dallas the depth they need to contend in the Central Division. Adding Malkin, though, would not come inexpensive.

The Penguins simply aren't going to move their franchise cornerstone for anything less than substantial compensation, and it would likely take a deal involving top prospects, a high draft pick, and perhaps a key roster player.

For the Stars, that means giving up future assets and some of the current depth, a risk well worth taking.

Even if Dallas and Pittsburgh do decide on a deal, Malkin has a full no-trade in his contract, giving him the ability to veto any deal sent his way, meaning he would have to agree not just with the deal but also to leave Pittsburgh, a place he has spent his whole NHL career.

The loyalty of Malkin to the Penguins and their fan base might be an obstacle in any deal, no matter how good the opportunity in Dallas may appear.

While Malkin's addition could get the Stars over the hump, the logistics and price tag of such a trade, along with the potential complication of Malkin not wanting to accept the trade, make this tough for Dallas to pull off.