The New York Rangers are looking to get back into the playoffs after last year’s disappointment.
The Rangers went from winning the Presidents’ Trophy as the best regular-season team two seasons ago to missing the playoffs last season. After the disappointment, New York shook up its roster, including making a coaching change.
However, New York could still use another center, and NHL insider Jeremy Tingly of NHLTradeRumors named the Rangers as a potential trade destination for Evgeni Malkin.
“According to multiple reports this summer, this is essentially Evgeni Malkin’s last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Whether he finishes the whole year, is another story,” Tingly wrote. “The Penguins are in transition mode, as President Kyle Dubas is trying to get his roster younger, and faster, while keeping the veteran core intact, at least for now…
“When it comes to potential destinations, expect to see the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and New York Rangers at the top of Malkin’s list. The future hall-of-famer is owed $6.1 million this season against the cap, and owns the cards to his destiny with his no-movement clause,” Tingly added. “It’s going to be a very interesting season in Pittsburgh. If the Penguins don’t get off to a good start this year, the noise is going to increase, and trade winds will be blowing as Dubas is ready to blow everything up.”
Malkin is in the final year of his four-year, $24.4 million deal. He would be a good second or third-line center for the Rangers and add some more veteran leadership. Malkin helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016, and 2017, while he won the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP in 2009.
Penguins Could Move Malkin
Malkin is a franchise icon for Pittsburgh, but all signs point to this being his final year with the team.
Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic revealed that this will be Malkin’s final season in Pittsburgh, and the team could look to trade him at the deadline.
“Evgeni Malkin will return for his 20th campaign with the Penguins next season. It will be his last in Pittsburgh,” Yohe wrote. “While it remains unclear if future Hall of Fame center will retire following the 2025-26 season, the Penguins are not expected to offer him another contract with the franchise, sources within the organization said.”
With this being the final year of Malkin in Pittsburgh, the Penguins could look to trade the Russian. If he is indeed made available, the Rangers, among other teams, will be interested in him.
Malkin recorded 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games last season with the Penguins.
Rangers Coach Expects Team to be Competitive
New York trading for Malkin also makes sense, given the fact that their head coach is Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan was the head coach of the Penguins from 2015 until 2025, helping them win two Cups. He’s familiar with Malkin, and the Russian would make them that much better of a team, although Sullivan already likes what he sees from the Rangers.
“I know what our challenge is and that’s part of the conversation I’ve had with some of the players throughout the course of this offseason,” Sullivan said. “When you look at the roster on paper it’s a very talented group. There is, I think, the makings of being a real competitive team.”
The Rangers are coming off a horrible 39-36-7 season.
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