The conversation then turned to cars, and the story of Malkin driving his on the tarmac at the airport years ago.
âIt's not me, it's me and Gonch, we're together,â Malkin said. âI bought a new Porsche 911, small one, and itâs fast. We did not drive close to plane. We drive from parking lot, but it's still dangerous, people think. I drive like two seconds, but just one guy see... I donât know where he's sitting on top. Heâs like, you can't do it that close to plane. We just do it one time. Itâs okay. Because you know, itâs exciting, you buy a new car, you can drive here so fast. But you need to drive somewhere where you have room.â
Crosby had brought that up as one of his favorite Malkin stories, so I asked Geno if he wanted to share one about Sid.
âMy story about Sid, he uses same car forever!â Malkin said. âBecause he talks about my cars, but every year he drives same car, Range Rover. Like, it's unbelievable. He's made millions in his bank account. Heâs never given me anything.â
After talking about how Sid always wears the same black sneakers with white soles â âheâs so consistent! We laugh, but it works for himâ â the topic of the NHL eliminating team-mandated dress codes came up. While Malkin does like wearing suits and ties to games â âitâs looking nice, professionalâ â he doesnât mind the opportunity to show off his own sense of style more often. Malkinâs practice and off-day fits are usually head-turning.
âIf you see NBA, people talk about what they wear,â Malkin said. âWhen you wear only suits, people donât talk much. But we see Toronto, people start talking about Matthews, Marner, what kind of shoes they wear. I think we need to do a little bit more. Get people to talk a little bit more about style.â
The competitive fire still burns bright in Malkin, Crosby and Letang, a big reason that theyâve had so much success together. This will mark the first time in the history of the four major professional sports (NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB) that a trio of teammates has reached 20 years together as teammates.
âItâs so rare,â Malkin said. âI think we're all in history already, you know? Itâs like, Iâm lucky to play with Tanger and Sid together. I always say, itâs dream to play with same guys together, forever, you know? I like how Sid and Tanger, they love hockey so much. I'm trying to do my best. They try to do their best. And we're lucky to just play with the same team.â
âYou ask me how cool is it you all play together. For me, itâs natural. I play with Sid forever, and Iâm like oh, I see you tomorrow. Iâm not thinking (any) other way. People ask oh, 20 years... for me, itâs like, 20 years, itâs quick, first of all. Time just flies. But for me, weâre always together.â
Crosby has described the dynamic between them as âfamily.â Letang said theyâre all different, that he is quiet and intense, Malkin is loud and funny, and Crosby is the one who drives the ship. So, how would Malkin put it?
âFirst of all, they like me so much,â Malkin said. âIâm like middle guy. Iâm always between them. Because you know Sid mad, Tanger mad, I come and talk to them [laughs]. No, we are like family. We know we're good friends. But you canât be nice every time. Sometimes youâre feeling you angry, youâre not happy, you show emotion, but it's fine, it's good. But next day we're like, sitting and talk, âokay, we do this, this. We do it wrong. Okay, let's go back and play it better.â Show emotion, I think it's good. I like to show emotion.â
âShows you care,â I said.
Malkin likes having something on the line, like lunch or dinner. If itâs up to him, theyâre probably going to McDonaldâs. Which tracks, as Crosby recently brought up how Malkin ate only hamburgers during his first month or so in the league.
âThatâs what heâd order all the time. I was just like, do you eat anything else? Youâre unbelievable,â Crosby told Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas with a grin. âLike, youâre flying out here. But all youâre eating is hamburgers. So, I started ordering hamburgers too. I donât think it worked as good as him.â
Malkinâs absolute favorite is a Big Mac. He is usually aware of when the Big Mac Attack is announced on the videoboard during home games, and we joked how scoring during that time could be some extra motivation for him.
âEverybody like In Nâ Out, Five Guys... Iâm like, no! McDonaldâs. Itâs only Big Mac. Double cheeseburger, I never eat. I only like Big Mac. I try everything,â Malkin said. âHere, McDonaldâs is not like a restaurant. Itâs fast food. In Russia and in Europe, itâs a restaurant, people are sitting.â
Geno then pointed out that Sid has his favorites as well.
âSame foods... chicken parmesan, Caesar salad, and SHRIMP COCKTAIL,â joked Malkin, who shook his head thinking about all of the details that Crosby remembers. âHis memory is unbelievable. Mine, itâs worst ever. He tell me stories from 2010, 2011, Iâm like how do you remember? I donât remember whatâs last year! He talk about Sweden, and said remember when we were flying, and landing, and you did this... Iâm like, how do you remember 2008 IN SWEDEN?! Iâm like, wow.â
As we neared the rink, I had to bring up Marc-Andre Fleury, who will be putting on the black and gold one last time.
âHe's back, I think it's right. Playing his last game in Pittsburgh, because everybody knows he won three Cups here. Heâs always a Pittsburgh Penguins guy,â Malkin said. âYou see his smile all the time, he joke around.â
awww me and sid weâre always together
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