Evgeni Malkin Open to Playing for Another NHL Team Next Season

Evgeni Malkin made it abundantly clear on Friday that he intends to play in the NHL next season, even if it means donning a different jersey than that of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Speaking candidly during exit interviews following the team’s Game 6 elimination by the Philadelphia Flyers, Malkin revealed he has been in discussions with general manager Kyle Dubas but has no new updates regarding his status as an unrestricted free agent.

“It’s not easy for Kyle. Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it,” Malkin stated, acknowledging the possibility of a roster shake-up. He expressed his desire for one more year in the NHL, asserting, “I’m not moving back to KHL, play in Russia. Again, if not Pittsburgh, I hope some team.” When pressed on whether he would consider playing for another NHL team, Malkin answered with a firm “Yes.”

It appears that Malkin’s future may hinge on Dubas’s plans for the Penguins. Despite the uncertainty, Malkin remains hopeful about continuing to play alongside longtime teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang for at least another season. This past season, Malkin demonstrated his offensive prowess, finishing with 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists) while adapting from center to wing.

His chemistry with Egor Chinakhov, who is set to hit restricted free agency this summer, suggests that Malkin’s presence isn’t blocking the path for younger players looking to make the jump to the NHL. However, with Malkin turning 40 this summer and having missed 26 games last season, his return would not necessarily contribute to a younger roster in the immediate future.

Teammates Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell expressed their desire to see Malkin return. “I think it’s clear I’d love to be playing with him for longer,” Crosby remarked. Meanwhile, Erik Karlsson acknowledged the likelihood of Malkin’s departure, noting, “He’s still a capable player to be an impactful player in this league, so happy for him. No matter what happens to him, he’s going to land on his feet, and he’ll be just fine.”

Reports from The Athletic last June indicated that the Penguins were not planning to re-sign Malkin after this season. Whether this playoff run has influenced Dubas’s perspective remains uncertain, as do the future roles of Rust and Rakell, both of whom are signed through the 2027-28 season.

As the Penguins prepare for next season, they are projected to have $45.8 million in cap space, thanks in part to the expiring contracts of several players, including Malkin. He earned $6.1 million last season, and his return may depend on his willingness to accept a pay cut and a one-year deal.

In addition to Malkin, pending unrestricted free agents Shea and Mantha have also expressed a desire to remain in Pittsburgh. The day also featured reflections from rookie Ben Kindel, who recounted the disappointment of losing the final face-off of his inaugural season just before the Flyers scored in overtime. “Still kind of stick to my stomach when you think about that last shift and how the season ended,” Kindel shared. “Obviously nothing I can do about it now, but just look to use it as motivation in the future, in future years, and do whatever we can to not let it end like that again.”

Artūrs Šilovs disclosed that he played through a knee injury during the final weeks of the season, including his three playoff starts. Crosby also mentioned feeling “good” physically after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for a month following the 2026 Olympics. As for the upcoming IIHF World Championships, Šilovs, Rakell, Shea, and Crosby have not yet decided on their participation, while Karlsson confirmed he would not take part.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.