Evgeni Malkin’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins could be one of the biggest stories of the 2026 NHL offseason. Malkin, who has been with the Penguins since the 2006 NHL Draft, is about to become a free agent. However, will the 39-year-old forward return to Pittsburgh?
Based on what he has been told, Josh Yohe of The Athletic believes this is Malkin’s last season with the Penguins. Malkin is no longer a 100-point player; However, he is capable of scoring at least 60 points per season. In fact, Makin has 59 points in 54 games during the 2025-26 season.
Yohe also believes Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas will make a major change in the summer of 2026, citing cap space, draft picks and the prospect pool. Still, Evgeni Malkin may not be in those plans for Pittsburgh, even if captain Sidney Crosby wants him to return next season.
The three-time Stanley Cup champions have been a major focal point of the Penguins over the past two decades, but that may be the end of his time in Pittsburgh. Ultimately, Malkin and the organization pushed their contract talks into the offseason, despite planning to discuss it during the Olympic break.
Malkin still wants to play in the NHL, so it doesn’t seem like he will retire from the game. The 39-year-old forward should draw interest from competing teams as he chases another Stanley Cup ring before his career ends. If the Penguins make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs, it could also increase their chances of a return.
For now, the Penguins forward hopes to win another Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh. If not, Malkin could be on a new team during the 2026–27 season.
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