Evgeny Malkin’s 20th season with the Pittsburgh Penguins is expected to be his final one. Reports from The Athletic indicate it’s uncertain if he will continue playing beyond next season, but the Penguins are unlikely to offer him another contract. Having turned 39 in July, Malkin has often expressed that Pittsburgh is the only NHL team he wishes to play for. If the Penguins decide against renewing his contract, the 2025-26 season may mark the end of the career of a surefire Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest player in Penguins history.
Malkin’s impressive accolades include three Stanley Cup championships, the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009, the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2012, and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in goals in 2009 and 2012. He ranks third in franchise history for career points (1,346), goals (514), and assists (832), trailing only Sidney Crosby in games played (1,213). Malkin is considered part of the Penguins’ “Mount Rushmore,” alongside Hall of Famers Mario Lemieux and Jari Kurri.
This season, Malkin has recorded 50 points in 68 games, including 16 goals—a decline from the 27-goal pace he maintained over the previous two seasons, where he played all 82 games. Despite his dip in production, Malkin improved in discipline last season by reducing costly penalties. Part of the drop in his recent performance may stem from a lack of consistent support from Pittsburgh’s second line, an issue the team hoped to address in the offseason. The Penguins also brought back Tommy Novak, who had a season-ending injury shortly after being acquired. Malkin reportedly wants to continue playing alongside Novak on the second line.
It’s unsurprising that this could be Malkin’s final season in Pittsburgh. Following the 2024-25 season, with coach Mike Sullivan potentially stepping back and the team facing a rebuilding phase after missing the playoffs for three straight years, the Penguins are looking toward a younger future. They haven’t won a playoff series since their 2018 Stanley Cup victory.
If Malkin performs exceptionally in 2025-26, the Penguins might reconsider his role, but current signals strongly suggest this coming season will be the last in Pittsburgh for one of the NHL’s all-time greats.
Fan Take: This is a pivotal moment for hockey fans as one of the sport’s legendary figures nears the end of an iconic career. Malkin’s farewell season could mark the end of an era in Pittsburgh, opening the door for exciting new talent to rise while fans reflect on the incredible legacy he leaves behind.
