Report: Penguins not expected to re-sign Malkin after next season

The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't expected to offer franchise icon Evgeni Malkin another contract once his current one expires at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, sources told The Athletic's Josh Yohe.

Yohe added it isn't clear if Malkin plans to retire after next season, which will be his 20th in the NHL. The veteran forward has made it clear on multiple occasions he only wants to play for the Penguins. He said in February he'll finish his career in Pittsburgh.

Malkin signed a four-year pact with a $6.10-million cap hit in July 2022 amid rumors he was going to test the free-agent market. Malkin reportedly told his teammates at the time that the Penguins - then run by president of hockey operations Brian Burke and general manager Ron Hextall - thought he wasn't "good anymore."

The future Hall of Famer ranks second in Pittsburgh's record books in games played (1,213) and third in goals (514), assists (832), and points (1,346) during the regular season.

He also sits second in points (180), assists (113), and game-winning goals (13) in 177 career playoff games while winning three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017).

Malkin has hit the 100-point mark on three occasions, most recently in 2011-12 when he scored 50 goals for the first and only time. He reached the 40-goal plateau on two other instances, including in 2017-18.

The 38-year-old recorded 16 goals and 50 points in 68 outings this past season and was on pace for 19 tallies and 60 points over a full 82 games. Malkin scored 27 goals in each of the previous two campaigns.

The Penguins have missed the playoffs for three straight years and fell short by 11 points in 2024-25. Pittsburgh finished the season seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-36-12 record.