Evgeni Malkin is a Pittsburgh Penguins legend.
For one more season, that is.
Malkin is entering the final season of his contract with the Penguins. And according to The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, the 2025-26 season will be Malkin’s last in Pittsburgh as his only NHL franchise declines to offer him a contract extension.
Yohe clarifies that there is no decision yet from Malkin as to whether he’ll retire. But it sounds as if Malkin will have to play outside of Pittsburgh if he wants to stay on the ice in 2026-27.
Malkin, 38, was the No. 2 overall pick all the way back in 2004.
He has played 19 years as a Penguins superstar, winning three Stanley Cups in the process.
In his career, Malkin has 514 goals and 832 assists.
This past season, Malkin put up 16 goals and 34 assists in 68 games. His 50 points were by far his lowest for any season in which he played at least 40 games.
The Penguins struggled in 2024-25, missing the playoffs as Malkin and Sidney Crosby continue to advance in age.
The man they call Geno has brought incredible memories to fans of Pittsburgh sports. At least those same fans know now that if they want to appreciate Malkin some more, it’ll have to be in this Penguins season to come before Malkin skates off into an uncertain future.
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