I entered the Pittsburgh Penguins' locker room after practice with a theory to test: That center Evgeni Malkin, who, as of Friday, sits two points (89) and two goals (40) away from the league lead in both categories, is the most under-appreciated dominant player in the NHL today, and potentially of all time.
What say you, Carl Hagelin?
"In this locker room he's appreciated," said the winger, "but I don't know if you ask around the league if he is."
Well, let's look at the evidence, shall we?
Malkin is second among active players (to Sidney Crosby) and 13th all-time in points per game average (1.