Evgeni Malkin did not necessarily have the most direct relationship with Mike Lange, at least not like other franchise pillars such as Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr or Sidney Crosby. But he is certainly aware of Lange’s seismic importance to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pittsburghers are mourning former Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange, who died late Wednesday at age 76. The big picture: Lange was the Pens' play-by-play announcer for 46 years and once held a streak of never missing a broadcast for 30 years.