The Penguins are approaching a new era as players such as Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby prepare for the final seasons of their NHL careers. Crosby has already re-upped with the Penguins for another two seasons, but Malkin has one more year on his contract and will likely retire at the end of the season (as per Josh Yohe of The Athletic). However, Yohe also stated in a recent mailbag that Malkin could stick around with the Penguins if he has a good year, which could be a wise move for Pittsburgh should Malkin be productive in his age-39 season.
It’s not often that rookie NHLers get to play with one franchise icon, let alone two, which is what Pittsburgh could offer their youngsters if Malkin continues to play a few more years. The key would be ensuring that Malkin is productive and that the Penguins don’t simply become a nostalgia act that blocks opportunities for their younger players.
From Malkin’s perspective, he may want to walk away after next season. He doesn’t have much to play for. He’s already a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame and certainly has no financial reason to play, given that he’s made nearly $150MM in his NHL playing career (as per PuckPedia). It likely comes down to whether he has the itch to stay in Pittsburgh with the Penguins and if he feels he can contribute.
The Penguins have had a growing need for a youth movement for years now, and thanks to the work of general manager Kyle Dubas, it feels that time has come. Pittsburgh’s prospect pool has improved considerably in less than two years, and an injection of younger players is coming to the Penguins’ lineup very soon. Perhaps the excitement of a youth movement could create a desire for Malkin to stay and be a mentor, much like Malkin had with Sergei Gonchar when he first made his way to the NHL.
If Geno stayed in Pittsburgh beyond next season, the question would become in what capacity. Malkin can still produce like a second-line center, but would greatly benefit from a move to the wing and perhaps a lighter schedule. He and Crosby showed some chemistry in a small sample size this year, during which Malkin moved to the wing, and Crosby centered the first line. Malkin doesn’t have the wheels or the strength that made him a Hart Trophy winner a decade ago, but his skill, vision, and playmaking ability are still elite and would be helpful on a line where he isn’t the focal point. He could remain a solid weapon on the power play as he still possesses a heavy one-timer and strong passing ability.
Off the ice, Malkin’s presence in the Penguins’ dressing room and his connection to the fanbase are intangibles that a younger, cheaper player can’t easily replace. He remains a fan favorite in Pittsburgh and one who could help Crosby mentor the next wave of Penguins forwards. Dubas has expressed an interest in maintaining a winning culture within the Penguins organization, and few players have won more in their careers than Malkin.
If the Penguins opt to keep Malkin beyond next season, it would mean he will be playing into his 40s. At that point, a year-to-year contract would make the most sense for both the team and the player. If Malkin is willing to return on a reasonable one-year deal and still produce, there’s no reason for the Penguins to turn the page. He could play a reduced schedule of 60-70 games at 15 minutes a night and likely still produce around 50 points per season.
That is a best-case scenario in which Malkin doesn’t suffer a severe decline over the next year. The issue is that Malkin’s play has declined over the last few seasons, and if there is another dip in his play, he may walk away at the end of next season. Some will point to Crosby and Alex Ovechkin and how well they are playing, but they have had the benefit of better health and better linemates. People can look at Crosby’s concussions, and that has undoubtedly cost him time and points. However, Malkin has had two complete ACL surgeries in his career, and his legs are nowhere near what they were ten years ago.
In contrast, Crosby maintains his speed and strength on the puck. Crosby has also played with Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell this season, while Ovechkin has played on one of the top teams in the NHL. Malkin has spent much of the season on a line with Cody Glass, Philip Tomasino and Danton Heinen.
Whether Malkin retires after next season or plays a few more after that, he will likely go down as the fourth member in the Mount Rushmore of Pittsburgh Penguins, next to Crosby, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, and his legacy among Penguins fans will live on. He may top the 1400 point plateau next season, and while he’s not one of the top 100 players of all time, he probably should be.
Photo by Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
They will be like last years St Louis Cardinals! Have fun with that.
“Sarge” as a mentor? Yes. GinoMachino as a mentor? Hmmm, not seeing that. Too many lazy changes, especially in OT, and lazy stick work penalties.
Geno will either play us or Magnitogorsk. The problem with Geno is how doesn’t win draws or play great D so he’s not an ideal 3 or even 4C. If he still has value, it might be as a winger to a young center.
I know they want to talk about doing a Caps style quick retool, but I’m not seeing a clear path to it. The Caps had Backstrom and Oshie on LTIR.
The cost to get rid of Jarry, Graves AND Karlsson…AND THEN find replacements who elevate the team…would be astronomical. They’d have to thread several needles and still get lucky.
OTOH…they would seem to have a pretty clear path to Gavin McKenna.
Depending on what BOS does, most of the teams picking in front of them in this year’s draft figure to be better next year while the Pens could easily be worse. And they have NYR’s pick, too.
Geno could play on McKenna’s wing in 2027.
The move should be a repeat of last year’s offseason. Bring in OK players on 1 year deals who give you a chance while looking for Kevin Hayes type salary dumps to add more assets. Keep Jarry and Graves as essentially in house salary dumps. Eat their salaries to save the assets.
Get rid of Karlsson though. Someone will give you a second or something halfway decent for him if you eat half his salary. ($5 M AAV at that point). Can’t stand watching this dude not care at all.
If he stays beyond this year, though, Geno will have to play for those $1 to 2 M a year Joe Thornton type deals.
I can see them letting Malkin go next year and he suddenly becomes another Fleury. Still going.
Do not bring him back unless it is to play wing. We need to be able to find someone else at second line center we cannot continue with two players nearing 40 playing center, even if one of them is one of the best players ever and continues to play incredibly well (Sid).