Evgeni Malkin will reportedly play his last season as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins next year.
According to The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, the Penguins are not expected to offer him another contract after his deal expires following the 2025-26 campaign. Malkin is headed into his 20th season with the club after they made him the second-overall selection in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Yohe adds that it is unknown if Malkin plans to announce his NHL retirement after the season, but the 38-year-old center has previously stated that he does not want to play for another team in the league. Malkin recorded 50 points (16g, 34a) and was a minus-24 in 68 games for a 2024-25 Penguins team that missed the playoffs for a third straight season.
Malkin is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins and has taken home a hoard of individual silverware as a superstar member of the club. The seven-time NHL All-Star owns a Calder Trophy (2007), two Art Ross Trophies (2009, 2012), a Conn Smythe Trophy (2009), a Hart Trophy (2012), and a Ted Lindsay Award (2012).
The Penguins are a team in major transition, having fired longtime head coach Mike Sullivan after another postseason qualification failure and hiring first-time NHL bench boss Dan Muse. Pittsburgh is expected to be one of the only selling NHL teams this offseason, with franchise legends Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Kris Letang listed as their only untouchables via trade.
Malkin turns 39 years old on July 31 and struggled with both upper-body and lower-body injuries last season. The Magnitogorsk, Russia native is best friends with Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, who also has an unconfirmed NHL future past next year.
While Malkin may retire from the NHL, he, like Ovechkin, is likely to finish his playing days in Russia’s KHL. Malkin’s former KHL club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, still owns his contract rights.
