Evgeni Malkin
Pittsburgh Penguins franchise icon Evgeni Malkin reiterated on Friday that he wants to return to the only team has played for in the NHL, that he wants to continue his journey with 20-year teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. He also said something plenty newsworthy.
Asked if he wants to play for another NHL team if the Penguins don’t re-sign him, he was definitive.
“Yes,” he said.
Up to this point, Malkin had maintained he wanted to retire as a Penguin.
A pending unrestricted free agent, Malkin said he would speak with Penguins president/general manager Kyle Dubas later Friday. Malkin’s agent, JP Barry, and Dubas are expected to discuss the hulking forward’s future after the season — which technically means anytime. The Penguins exceeded expectations during the season to finish second in the Metropolitan Division but then lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the first round of the playoffs.
This was the first time Malkin, who turns 40 this summer, indicated he might sign elsewhere if things don’t work out with the Penguins.
“I want to play in the NHL for sure, but I know it’s not easy for Kyle. Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it’s a business. I understand he wants maybe a new team, see new faces here. For me, I want to play one more year in the NHL. I’m not looking (to go) back to KHL, play in Russia. But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some (NHL) team.”
Asked what he thinks might happen, Malkin didn’t have any answers.
“Hard to say right now, but we have time,” he said of how things might shake out. “It’s a long summer. I’ll just do my same routine — back to Russia, stay with my family and my friends. We’ll see what ‘s going on. But right now, nothing new.”
Malkin, who was limited to 59 games because of injuries, still topped a point-per-game average, with 19 goals, 61 points. Along the way, he moved from his tradition spot of second-line center to second-line right wing, mostly with center Tommy Novak and winger Egor Chinakov.
“Couple injuries. It’s a little bit tough. I feel like I can play next year for sure,” he said. “I want to rest two, three weeks and start to work out right away. I want to come back stronger next year. I still want to play hockey. It’s the best game in the world, and just have fun, enjoy the game.
“Again, (being in) the playoffs, it means so much. Crazy emotions. I want to play one more year for sure.”
Asked if signing a new contract with the Penguins would mean agreeing to a slightly diminished role, Malkin said he would be amenable to that.
“It’s fine if I start at wing next year,” he said. “If the coach wants me and I can help, second line, play wing, it’s fine. Nothing changed for me crazy. A little bit. I think it worked. This year I played not bad playing with Tommy and (Chinakhov). We’ll see what the coach wants from me. … For me, it’s no problem.”
Like many, Malkin gave the Penguins mixed reviews for their season.
“We had a great season. Tough playoffs,” Malkin said. “We feel we deserved a little better, but I feel we played very well. … But of course we’re not really happy, lost in the first round. But I want to say thank you to everyone — coaches, staff, they did a great job all year long.
“It’s tough to talk right now after losing, but, again, I think the season was good because we stepped up from last year. We hope next year we play better.”
Next season. Despite his uncertain status with the Penguins, Malkin peppered his interview on “break-up day” with references to 2026-27.
Malkin expressed gratitude for being able to experience the playoffs once more with Crosby and Letang.
“Now I want more,” he said, cracking a smile. “It’s a different emotion when you play in the playoffs. The fans are crazy. The first game against Philly in warmup, it was probably 18,000 already (in PPG Paints Arena). I want to play again for sure.”
And he would like to do that with Crosby and Letang, who are under contract for next season.
“It’s a special two guys for me. A lot played together,” Malkin said. “We’re not happy we lost, but we tried to fight every game. Sometimes you lose, but, again, these two special guys, I hope we play together one more year, but if not, I have great 20 years together. Never forget it.”
He’ll also never forget Pittsburgh and the Penguins.
“It’s special for me, for my family. My son was born here. It’s not just hockey. It’s the city, the fans. It’s friends. It’s lots of memories here. I’ll never forget.”
Categorized:Pittsburgh Penguins
