Penguins Icon Malkin Facing Uncertain Final Chapter Ahead Of 2025-26

For years now, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been a study in disappointment. In failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the past three seasons, the Penguins have failed their core of veteran star talent, including captain Sidney Crosby, center Evgeni Malkin, and defensemen Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. But in Malkin’s case specifically, he stated time and again that he wanted to remain in Pittsburgh for his entire career.

However, recent remarks Malkin made to NHL.com seem to have opened a door for Malkin potentially finding a new NHL employer. Rather than completely shutting down the question of where he’ll be playing this coming season, Malkin talked about possibilities. You can be the judge of what he said.

“(W)e see a story, like, with Brad Marchand – looking good, you know?” Malkin said of the longtime Boston Bruin-turned-Florida Panther, who won his second Cup last year in what is likely a Hockey Hall-of-Fame career. “But…if the team trades you and you (don’t) win the Cup, it’s like a little bit weird, too, you know? But we’ll see what’s going on (with) my future. But of course everybody wants to try to play in the playoffs and have maybe one more run to the Cup.”

Does that sound like someone who is 100 percent certain he’s going to finish his NHL career with the Pens? Sorry, but it doesn’t sound that way to this writer. Malkin’s desire to get into the playoffs this season could be all but extinguished well in advance of this season’s trade deadline, so if he’s truly intent on hanging up his skates after this season, and if he wants one last shot at a Cup, he probably won’t get it in Pittsburgh. 

And if he’s comparing himself to Marchand, maybe there is a universe where Malkin decides to stay with the team the Penguins trade him to for another season after this one. Malkin is still only 39 years old – and in an era where veterans like Los Angeles Kings winger Corey Perry and Colorado Avalanche defensemen Brent Burns are…