- Malkin says he wants to play in 2026-27, in Pittsburgh or somewhere else
- The 39-year-old becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1
- Read below for the full Malkin and Crosby exit-interview video
Evgeni Malkin’s first choice is still Pittsburgh. His second choice, this time, isn’t retirement.
Speaking with reporters Friday at the Penguins’ exit interviews, the 39-year-old made it clear he plans to play another NHL season. He’s also willing to do it in another sweater if general manager Kyle Dubas doesn’t come back with an offer.
Malkin spelled it out:
“I want to play in the NHL, for sure, but again, I know it’s not easy for Kyle, you know, maybe he wants like new blood here. I understand it’s business, and I understand he wants maybe new team, see new faces here. But for me, I want play one more year in NHL. I’m not looking back to KHL, play in Russia, but if not Pittsburgh, I hope some team.”
Watch the full video of his answer:
The follow-up was direct. Asked if he would sign with another NHL team if the Penguins didn’t bring him back, Malkin gave a one-word answer. “Yes.”
That’s a real shift for a guy who has only ever worn one NHL sweater. Malkin turns 40 in late July and just wrapped a four-year, $24.4 million deal that paid him $6.1 million per season.
He still finished the regular season with 61 points in 56 games, his best per-game pace since 2022-23. That’s not a guy looking to coast into retirement.
Sidney Crosby didn’t dance around the topic, either. The captain wants Geno back for another run:
Malkin echoed it. He’s not done chasing more playoff hockey alongside Crosby and Kris Letang:
Talks between Malkin and Dubas are expected to continue before free agency opens July 1. If those discussions stall, former Pittsburgh teammate Tyler Kennedy has floated the Capitals as a possible fit, given how close Malkin and Alex Ovechkin are.
The bigger question is whether the Penguins really want to be the team that lets a franchise legend walk out the door.
Geno sounds ready for either ending. Whether Pittsburgh is, well, that’s the part still being written.
