Penguins Want More Clarity on Evgeni Malkin’s Future.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for more clarity from Evgeni Malkin about how much longer he plans to continue his NHL career. Malkin, who signed a one-year extension in May to return for his 21st season with Pittsburgh, has not ruled out playing beyond the 2026-27 season. However, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas indicated Monday that he does not want the organization to remain uncertain about Malkin’s future indefinitely. Asked about Malkin potentially remaining part of the Penguins beyond this season, Dubas gave a brief response.
“I’m not doing this day-to-day, year-to-year thing with Geno,” Dubas said.
Malkin has also acknowledged that his decision about continuing his career will depend heavily on how he feels physically throughout the season.
“I still love the game,” Malkin said in September. “It’s why I’m here [after] 21 years. I love the game. I’m excited every shift, practice, battle. Most important [is just] how your body feels.”
The 40-year-old forward earned another season in Pittsburgh after returning to form during the 2025-26 campaign. Malkin recorded 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games, helping the Penguins finish with the NHL’s third-ranked offense. Pittsburgh’s season ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Following the series, Malkin expressed interest in continuing his career, either with the Penguins or another team, before ultimately agreeing to return to Pittsburgh. Malkin has spent his entire NHL career with the Penguins and remains part of the franchise’s veteran core alongside Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. The trio has been central to Pittsburgh’s Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Malkin enters the season with 1,407 career points as a Penguin, ranking third in franchise history behind Mario Lemieux and Crosby. With Pittsburgh also working to transition toward a younger roster, Malkin’s long-term future remains one of the team’s key questions as the 2026-27 season begins.