- Evgeni Malkin broke his morning-skate silence Monday to talk about Alex Ovechkin
- The Penguins star admitted 2026-27 could be his own last season
- Read below for the video of Malkin’s comments and his memories of the 2004 draft
Evgeni Malkin might not be far behind Alex Ovechkin.
The Penguins center was asked Monday about Ovechkin announcing that 2026-27 will be his final NHL season. Malkin, 40, admitted he’s sitting in a pretty similar spot.
“I mean, he’s done everything,” Malkin said. “He’s played like, what, 22 years? Probably he understands, like, the league really good. It’s not easy, same as myself. I don’t know, maybe it’s my last year too. But I still love this game.”
Watch Malkin’s comments on Ovechkin:
Malkin doesn’t talk after morning skates. He’s stuck to that routine since his rookie year, so stepping up to the mics Monday was a big deal. Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo explained the exception:
Ovechkin told his Capitals teammates before practice Monday morning that this season will be his last. Here’s how we broke the news:
Playing every night at this age wears on you, and Malkin said as much. He also had a message for his longtime rival.
“It’s not easy to play every night, but it’s hard because, like, he’s a legend,” Malkin said. “The fans love him, you know? But again, he did everything for a team, a league. I hope he plays good this year, no injury. He just stay healthy, score goals and enjoy the game.”
His own contract runs out after this season. Malkin is playing on a one-year, $5.5 million deal he signed in May. He said at the start of camp he wasn’t sure if this would be his final season, and GM Kyle Dubas made it clear he isn’t doing the “year-by-year thing” again.
Their story goes all the way to the 2004 draft. Washington took Ovechkin first overall and Pittsburgh grabbed Malkin one pick later.
Draft night still sticks with him. Malkin admitted he got nervous the second Ovechkin’s name was called.
“We sit always together, and I think he understand, and I understand he’s number one for sure, but after he’s official number one, I remember I start nervous because I think maybe I’m not second, maybe I’m third, fourth, and I start shaking my hands,” Malkin said.
Pittsburgh and Washington meet four times this season, starting with the Capitals’ home opener Wednesday. Last spring everyone figured they’d seen the last Ovechkin-Malkin matchup. Malkin is glad they get a few more, and maybe “a couple more pictures together.”
April 4 in Washington is the final meeting on the schedule. It could be the final time two of the greatest Russian players ever share the ice.
