The last dance is coming to an end for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Josh Yohe, a reporter for The Athletic, shared a heartbreaking announcement regarding star forward Evgeni Malkin.
“Evgeni Malkin will return for his 20th campaign with the Penguins next season. It will be his last in Pittsburgh.
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.”
Yohe went on to emphasize that this was mostly due to age. “Malkin showed flashes last season, but the Penguins, who are very much pushing a youth movement, do not believe that bringing him back after he turns 40 is feasible.”
Malkin is entering the last season of his contract at $6.1M per season. The 39 year old is just 54 points away from hitting the 1,400-point threshold, joining legends like Stan Mitkia and Teemu Selanne. Malkin, who is widely considered one of the greatest Russian players of all time, enters his 20th and potentially final season in the NHL in 2025-26.
Malkin’s Legacy with the Penguins
Malkin is one of the most successful players in the NHL. He won a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009, a Hart Trophy in 2012, the Art Ross trophy in 2009 and 2012 and three Stanley Cups. Malkin is third in franchise history scoring with 1,346 points, 514 assists and 832 goals. He’s played 1,213 games with the penguins, second only behind Sidney Crosby.
“I’ll never forget a conversation I had with a random fan during a Pittsburgh Penguins game against the New York Islanders on Long Island a decade ago,” Yohe said. “In between periods, I was bored and having a chat. This stranger very astutely noted, “I’m not saying Malkin is better than Crosby. I know he’s not. But I have to say, I notice Malkin more. Does that make sense?”
Last season, Malkin tallied just 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 68 games. While these numbers can be attributed to age, it’s important to note that Malkin played on a thin second line. Winger Tommy Novak suffered a season-ending injury just two games in. Danton Heinen and Rickard Rakell both underperformed last season, as well.
Having said that, Malkin is still a very productive player at 39 years of age. On a contending team, a 50-point forward with Malkin’s experience and vision would work wonders. The likelihood of that happening, however, doesn’t appear feasible in the future.
Retirement from Hockey Likely for Malkin
If Malkin’s comments last season are meant to be taken at face value, this will be his last year playing professionally. “I not play in Russia after Pittsburgh,” Malkin said to The Athletic in 2024. “Maybe one game for home team in Russia. Just one to say goodbye.”
The superstar center has emphasized on multiple interviews that he’s only interested in playing for the Penguins. “I retire with Pittsburgh,” Malkin said to The Athletic. “The Penguins are my team. I love this team. When I retire it’s here.”
If Yohe’s report is believed to be true, this could be the last season of Evgeni Malkin in the NHL.
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