Among the most pressing immediate storylines for the Penguins is the future of Evgeni Malkin. I’ve never been about a nostalgia tour for this group. The right move for the Penguins should have been Jimmy Rutherford pushing forward with a Malkin trade in spring of 2019 to the Florida Panthers or New York Rangers where the Penguins and Malkin were both internally thinking of a change. The deal never got to the goaline but Pittsburgh had a significant return in works from the Florida Panthers and with Malkin having a home in the area where his wife lived more regularly than Pittsburgh, it was a potential play for the Penguins. Looking back at the backend of the Sidney Crosby era and never winning a series since 2018, the lack of forward thinking will always be a what IF for the Penguins organization.

Fast forward to 2026 and Evgeni Malkin is at the forefront again. As Rick Tocchet said prior to the series they guys (BIg 3) just won’t die when it comes to being productive on the ice at their age.

Truth of the Malkin situation is GM Kyle Dubas for over a year now had absolutely no intention of bringing Malkin back for 2026-2027. When Malkin’s agent JP Barry met with Dubas in February, he left the meeting To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Pittsburgh had an out of nowhere type season and Malkin went out with a 19 goal, 42 assists season, while netting 2 goals in six postseason games. Penguins new ownership which has began formulating opinions from none other than Penguins legend To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! More intriguing, though, if Pittsburgh moves on, Malkin will have options. His move to wing has even opened the eyes of rival executives among a few contenders who feel Malkin can give you a potential 50-point type season at age 40 and let him cook in running a second power play unit. Malkin will have a market this summer on a one-year deal in the $5-$6 million range, multiple NHL sources say. And some places he would strongly consider are expected to consider signing Malkin: Among them being To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

What’s Next: Kyle Dubas at the minimum owes it to Malkin right away to make his intentions known and truly even publicly when you’re talking about one of the franchises greatest players. When Dubas speaks next week just come out with it. There’s nothing to gain anymore of trying to toe-that-line of being non-committal. Even the Malkin camp would like an upfront answer. One of the biggest forward thinkers in hockey knows what his plan and his intentions are with Malkin. This isn’t a 2022 situation where the Ron Hextall group was trying to get a significant pay cut and limit the term on a new deal. Money is not an issue here for Pittsburgh on a one year deal. Pittsburgh has to get to the cap floor to begin with and Malkin not looking for some $7+ million pay day. His camp was ready to take just north of $4.5 million months ago. For Dubas there’s sides of each argument on what decision he makes.

Among the pros to resigning Malkin:

Signing Malkin will keep Sidney Crosby who is extension eligible happy and that should carry a lot of weight………….All this talk of Malkin blocking prospects? Who are they again? There’s not a group of sure-fire top-6 type wingers coming up that Malkin would be truly blocking next season. But, if Pittsburgh does indeed resign Malkin there needs to be some honest conversations of his role. Pittsburgh needs to be upfront a permanent #1 power play spot is not going to be in play and there needs to be a comfort level at a reduction in some spots if improvements are made via trade and Malkin dips to say the 7th or 8th most productive forward next season which should be expected.

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