The Future of a Penguins Legend: Malkin's Contract Conundrum
In a highly anticipated development, the Pittsburgh Penguins and their iconic forward, Evgeni Malkin, are set to engage in crucial discussions about his future with the team. With the 2025-26 season drawing to a close, NHL.com's Wes Crosby has reported that the Penguins and Malkin will meet to decide his next steps.
Malkin, now 39, is in the final stretch of his four-year, $24.4 million contract, signed back in 2022. And here's where it gets intriguing: Malkin's agent, J.P. Barry, has already had preliminary talks with Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas. Malkin shared, "We talked a little with J.P. a couple of days ago. He just said to wait until the end of the season and see what happens."
But Malkin, ever the professional, is focused on his game. "I'm just playing. It's not my job to talk to Kyle or anyone else. I just play my game and wait." he said after a recent shootout loss to the New York Rangers.
With 13 goals and 46 points in 43 games this season, Malkin's performance speaks for itself. In his 20th season in the NHL, he continues to be a force, ranking second on the team in points behind the legendary Sidney Crosby. Malkin's impact on the Penguins' success is undeniable, with 527 goals and 1,392 points in 1,256 games, placing him third on the Penguins' all-time list in points, goals, and assists, behind Crosby and the iconic Mario Lemieux.
And this is the part most people miss: Malkin's contract situation is complex. Before the season began, he hinted at the possibility of waiving his no-move clause, opening the door to a potential trade out of Pittsburgh. However, Malkin has also expressed his deep desire to remain with the Penguins, especially with his longtime teammates Crosby and Kris Letang.
"I hope I stay here, with Sid, [Letang]," Malkin said in September. "I want to be with the Penguins forever, for sure. I hope I play great, and everything goes perfectly. I want to stay here, definitely."
The Penguins, despite missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, are currently sitting pretty in second place in the Metropolitan Division with an impressive 30-15-13 record and 73 points. However, they will need to maintain this momentum without Crosby, who is facing a four-week absence due to a lower-body injury sustained at Milano Cortina 2026.
So, what's next for Malkin and the Penguins? Will he stay or will he go? And how will the team's performance without Crosby impact these decisions? These are the questions on every Penguins fan's mind. What do you think? Should Malkin stay or explore new horizons? Share your thoughts in the comments!
