Evgeni Malkin isn’t ready to call it a career just yet - and he’s made it clear he doesn’t plan on wearing any jersey other than the one he’s worn for nearly two decades.
The longtime Penguins star, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most decorated players in franchise history, is reportedly open to signing a one-year extension to stay in Pittsburgh. According to a recent report, Malkin is even willing to take a pay cut from his current $6.1 million salary to make it happen. Retirement is on the horizon, but not quite yet - and definitely not anywhere else.
Malkin’s loyalty to the Penguins isn’t surprising. He’s been a pillar of the team’s golden era alongside Sidney Crosby, and his commitment to seeing it through with the only NHL club he’s ever known speaks volumes about his connection to the city, the fans, and the franchise.
Injuries have limited Malkin’s availability this season, but when he’s been on the ice, he’s made an impact. Through 33 games, the veteran center has tallied 35 points, including 25 assists - a reminder that even in the twilight of his career, he’s still got plenty left in the tank. His production has been key for a Penguins team that’s fighting to stay in the playoff mix.
At 23-14-11 with 57 points, Pittsburgh is right in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. It’s a team still built around its core of championship-tested veterans - Malkin, Crosby, and Kris Letang - who know what it takes to win when the games matter most.
But they also know the window is closing. Every game now carries more weight, every point matters just a little bit more.
That urgency isn’t lost on Crosby, who recently spoke about the stakes of the stretch run.
“It’s just how important the games are and, you know, how important every point is,” Crosby said. “Where we are in the standings, and things like that, I think that’s really what it’s all about. It’s a fun time of year and it’s fun to be in a race like that.”
The Penguins haven’t made the postseason since the 2021-22 campaign, and there’s a clear desire in the locker room to change that this year. With the Olympic break approaching, Malkin and his representatives are expected to meet with team president Kyle Dubas - a conversation that could shape the final chapter of Malkin’s storied career.
For now, the focus remains on the ice. Pittsburgh takes on the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night, and with every game, the stakes only grow higher. The Penguins are chasing more than just a playoff spot - they’re chasing one last run with the core that brought a dynasty to life.