As the Olympic break winds down, NHL teams are gearing up to hit the ice again. The Pittsburgh Penguins, like many others, are eagerly preparing for the remainder of the season, though they'll be without some key players for a bit longer. One star ready to make his return is Evgeni Malkin, who has been sidelined with an injury but is now eyeing the rest of the 2025-26 campaign with determination.
Malkin, at 39 years old, finds himself at a crossroads. With free agency looming at season's end, both he and the Penguins are contemplating the future. Talks of a short-term contract extension are on the horizon, aiming to keep this long-time Penguin in Pittsburgh.
The plan was for Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas and Malkin's agent, J.P. Barry, to discuss potential contract terms during the Olympic break. While those talks haven't happened yet, they're expected to take place soon, setting the stage for Malkin's future with the team.
Drafted second overall by the Penguins in 2004, Malkin burst onto the NHL scene in the 2006-07 season, racking up an impressive 85 points. Over his illustrious career, he's played 1,254 regular-season games, scored 527 goals, and assisted on 863 others, all while helping the Penguins hoist the Stanley Cup three times.
Malkin has made it clear: he's not ready to hang up his skates. He's open to a one-year extension, and the Penguins seem receptive, given his performance this season. As the team gears up to return to action, clarity on Malkin’s future is expected soon.
Currently, the Penguins boast a 29-15-12 record, sitting comfortably in second place in the Metropolitan Division. Malkin and the Penguins are focused on making a strong playoff push, with their first game back from the break set against the New Jersey Devils on February 26th.