Although much has been made of Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins over the last few weeks, Evgeni Malkin remains the most pressing issue. The 19-year veteran is entering the final year of his four-year, $24.4MM contract with the Penguins, and has made few indications regarding the next chapter of his playing career.
Speaking with reporters this morning, Malkin appeared to hedge his bets when it comes to his staying in Pittsburgh. He originally stated a desire to play an additional year with the Penguins beyond the 2025-26 season. Still, he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh regardless (via Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
However, when pressed about his no-movement clause, Malkin pointed to Brad Marchand’s example from last year, when he used his modified no-trade clause to join the Florida Panthers and win the second Stanley Cup of his career. Per NHL correspondent Wes Crosby, Malkin said, “It’s hard, you know? But again, we see a story, like, with Brad Marchand. Looking good, you know? But again, if the team trades you and you (don’t) win the Cup, it’s like a little bit weird, too, you know?”
By acknowledging his desire to stay with Pittsburgh beyond the 2025-26 campaign, Malkin has put the ball back in Kyle Dubas’s court. In June, two reports from Josh Yohe of The Athletic and the Penguins’ own Josh Getzoff indicated that the team has little desire to offer Malkin a new contract, regardless of his play in the upcoming season.
Those reports led many to believe that Malkin and his representation would begin looking at different options (likely around the Olympic break) or retire next summer. Unlike Marchand, Malkin’s no-movement clause means he’ll have full control over whether Pittsburgh trades him by this year’s trade deadline.
Regardless, Malkin would immediately become one of the best center options available at the deadline, with plenty of competitive teams having a glaring hole on the second line. Despite the team missing the postseason the past three years, Malkin has remained productive, recording 70 goals and 200 points in 232 games, averaging 18:21 of ice time.
Furthermore, Malkin has been a quality scorer in the playoffs, even though the Penguins haven’t reached beyond the second round since their most recent Stanley Cup championship in 2017. From 2018 to 2022, Malkin scored nine goals and 23 points in 28 playoff games.
The expectation is that the situation will play out over the regular season. Given the state of the roster, there’s little reason to keep Malkin this season or next. Still, much like Crosby, Pittsburgh’s top brass has typically honored the wishes of its franchise icons.
Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
Malkin has defied the aging process, I can’t think of another forward in NHL history that has been as statistically impressive as Malkin, After his 35th birthday.
Sidney Crosby?
True. My bad!
Alex Ovechkin. Wayne Gretzky. Not that difficult to find this stuff.
(Depending on how this season goes…and how serious we are about contention next year) I see no reason why Geno can’t go on Joe Thornton $1 million per year, 1 year deal status.
Needs to move to wing soon, though.
Adjust for inflation…$2M!
BTW, the league should waive the normal policy for HOF, And allow Malkin in the hall, The same year he retires.
When Malkin is motivated to play he can take over a game. Unfortunately that motivation is getting fewer and further between. Maybe a playoff run would get him there again
Very true, But, Nobody can get around the aging process.
Are you sure it is motivation? Or could it be a string of multiple injuries and normal aging?
Yeah, it’s hardly weird that a guy in his late thirties who’s missed a colossal amount of time over his career to injuries is in decline. He’s not what he was, but what he can still bring to the table fits him for the second line on most teams in the league.
I wonder if he gets trade twice. One to a team like Chicago who flips him to Washington. I can’t imagine the Pens willingly wanting to put Ovie and Malkin together but if they are both riding off into the sunset, this could be a nice swan song (assuming Caps are repeating last year’s success)
I doubt they care that much about WAS/Ovie at this point. If the Caps make the best offer and the Pens are interested in moving him, I’d bet they’d do it.
Not a lot left to screw up in Pittsburgh.
New York Rangers
Let’s see who’s in the conversation by the New Year, then the speculations will ramp up
Maybe Crosby will stay his full term, but I can definitely see Malkin and Karlsson moving by the trade deadline this year. Letang is pretty much done.