Will Evgeni Malkin Sign New Contract with Penguins? Free Agency Situation Looms Large in Pittsburgh originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After the Penguins fell to the Flyers in Game 6 of their first-round series on Wednesday night, many hockey fans in Pittsburgh immediately asked one big question: Was that Evgeni Malkin's last game in a Penguins uniform?

The soon-to-be 40-year-old is set to hit the open market this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Malkin was productive throughout the 2025-26 campaign, totaling 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games. However, general manager Kyle Dubas is tasked with balancing the loyalty to Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang with the reality of injecting more youth and speed into the lineup.

Here's what we know about Malkin's status ahead of what could be a transformative offseason.

Will Evgeni Malkin re-sign with the Penguins?

If it's up to the future Hall of Famer, he will never leave the Penguins. He spoke about how special the city is to him on exit day, and it's not the only time he mentioned it.

"I mean, I hope it's not over," Malkin said after practice on April 24. "My future, like I said, I want to be here. I want to be part of the team next year, too. And I want to be retired in Pittsburgh. But it's not my choice. It's Kyle's decision."

Dubas has said that he is focused on doing what is right for the franchise, seemingly indicating that some veterans may not be part of the Penguins' future.

There are plenty of factors to consider, including Malkin's health issues, the youth movement around the league and the amount of belief that the front office has in the core group. Sure, Malkin, Crosby and Letang were able to reach the playoffs, but Dubas wants to build a team that can be considered a legitimate contender.

In his exit interview, Malkin said he wants to play another year in the NHL, but understands that Dubas might want "new blood" in Pittsburgh; he went on to say the two will have another conversation.

Evgeni Malkin contract

Back in 2022, Malkin signed a four-year, $24.4 million contract with Pittsburgh. That deal paid him $6.1 million per year, but he shouldn't expect to receive a similar offer from the Penguins.

On April 25, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta said that he believes Malkin will sign a one-year, $5 million deal or "something in that neighborhood." Pagnotta expects Malkin to play for the Penguins next season.

On exit day, Malkin said that if he does not sign with the Penguins, he will play for another NHL team, indicating he does not plan to retire this summer.

“I mean, I want to play (in the) NHL, for sure," Malkin said. "But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some team.”

Sidney Crosby's impact on Evgeni Malkin's next contract

While Malkin, Crosby and Letang have defied the typical aging curve, Crosby is simply on a different level. He produced a team-high 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) this season, and his numbers would have been even more impressive if he didn't suffer an injury at the Winter Olympics.

In addition to his play, Crosby holds a special place in the hearts of Penguins fans as a franchise icon. What the captain says matters, and he clearly wants to continue playing with Malkin.

In Crosby's interview on exit day, he made it clear he wants malkin around, saying "it's pretty obvious at this point that I'd love to keep going with him."

Back in March, The Athletic's Josh Yohe noted that Dubas is in an "unenviable position," as he could be forced to choose between potentially angering Crosby and the fanbase and making a cold, calculated move that may ultimately help Crosby win another title.

"Problem is, I don't think Malkin will ever want to retire," Yohe wrote. "I think he wants to play in Pittsburgh forever. Most Pittsburgh fans want that, too. The Crosby-Malkin era has been so special that, after all of these years, no one wants to see it end. Dubas can't allow himself to be concerned with such romance, however."

Evgeni Malkin career stats

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