PITTSBURGH — Locker-cleanout day always is a brutal day, one of the worst days of the year for all sports teams. It signifies the end of a season and, unless your team won the championship, of failure to one degree or another. Maybe worst of all, you know the same group won't be back to try again next season. Some of your teammates — your best buddies — will move on. The only thing guaranteed is there will be change. That's just the harsh nature of pro sports.
But Tuesday seemed like an especially difficult day at Penguins headquarters because there's a really good chance this was the last time Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang will be in that locker room after 16 seasons.
That hurtful realization added to what's been a tough year for Pittsburgh sports.
