Evgeni Malkin talked to the media today about entering the last season of his contract at the age of 39. There has been plenty of speculation that this could be the last rodeo for him in Pittsburgh, but Malkin kept his options open. In an ideal world, everything would go well, the Penguins would want to keep him for one more year and he would like to play longer than just the 2025-26 season.
“It depends how the season is going,” Malkin said about if this would be his last year. “If we play great,
I play great, I feel confidence, and I show my game, why not one more? The preseason is huge for the team, and for myself. I’m still hungry. I’m glad to be here this year. We have new coach, a couple new teammates. it’s exciting to see what’s going on this year.”
Malkin admitted though, that ideal outcome hasn’t been happening lately.
“I’m not happy how I play last couple of years, for sure. If it’s my last year here, I want to show everything. I want to show my best game.”
Malkin was eligible to sign an extension on July 1st, but the Pens have not reached out. Kyle Dubas did indicate that he would use the Olympic break to communicate with Malkin’s agent and chart the course of action as far as a possible extension might go depending on how things go between now and February.
For now, all Malkin can control is in front of him as far as his 20th NHL season will go. A big part of that could be free agent signee Anthony Mantha. Malkin and Mantha have skated on a line for the first two days of training camp together. The big center has been impressed by his equally big new winger.
“He’s a great player,” Malkin said of Mantha. “He’s fast and has long stick. He’s physical, he can score, he can do everything. I’m glad we signed him. I think he not have confidence last couple of years, as well. I hope we all better here, and if we play same line, I do my best to help him and I hope we have good chemistry together.”
If that chemistry grows, Malkin could position himself for a deal next season, which he hopes would be with the Penguins. Short of that, it will be the old cliche of one day and game at a time to determine whether his story with the Pens has any more chapters beyond 2025-26.
“[My] mentally, my focus is on being better every day. Stay here with the team, and do my best. And we see. If it’s my last year here, I have 20 years played here, that’s not bad too, you know? I’m glad to be a Penguin, I’m glad to win three Stanley Cups here. If I have the chance to play next year, I’ll do it.”
