HIGHLIGHTS
- Evgeni Malkin will play his 20th season with the Penguins in 2025-26
- However, it will be his final campaign in Pittsburgh
- Continue reading for the full scoop
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have franchise legend Evgeni Malkin in their lineup for a 20th season in 2025-26. However, it appears that will be his final campaign in the Steel City.
According to The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, the Penguins will not extend the Russian superstar:
It does remain uncertain if Malkin will even play another season in 2026-27, but if he does, he’ll be wearing a different jersey. Malkin turns 39 next month and has voiced a desire to play only for the Penguins before he does call it quits, but the organization is heading in a different direction.
Malkin was once one of the best players in the NHL, playing a crucial part in the Penguins winning three Stanley Cups. The veteran has surpassed 100 points on three separate occasions and will be in the Hall of Fame without question. He’s also a three-time All-Star and Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
While Malkin is still doing his part offensively, the numbers have declined. He scored only 16 times last season while supplying 34 helpers in 50 appearances. Injuries have likely played a part in his decline in production, having surgery on the same knee twice.
As Yohe noted, the Penguins are hoping to find Malkin some more help on the second line for the 25-26 campaign. The Russian had to play various positions last season as a result of the team’s lack of depth.
Pittsburgh is clearly leaning into youth, which is why re-signing Malkin when he’s 40 isn’t in the cards.
As for Crosby, he signed a two-year extension last September that will keep him with the organization through ’26-27. Next season will be the final time we’ll see the Malkin-Crosby duo, although they rarely play on the same line nowadays, anyway.
