Penguins' Evgeni Malkin Confirms His NHL Future

Pittsburgh Penguins legend Evgeni Malkin is in the final season of his current contract, but don't expect to see him hanging up the skates once this season is over.

Malkin spoke candidly about his future in the game, and his resurgence this season, and made it clear, he wants to prove to all the onlookers that he still has plenty of game left in the tank. "I try to do my best because I knew I want to play, like I want one more year/ I want to show I'm still a good player. I want everybody to see I can play next year. It's my goal right now."

Malkin's been on fire of late with six points in his last two games, including back to back nights of one goal, and two assists. He's in the final season of a four-year $24.4 million contract and has a full no-movement clause.

Last year Evgeni Malkin was in the midst of his lowest P/G total of his career and deemed “washed”. Fast forward to today and the 39 yr old has 39 P in 35 GP & playing a pivotal role on a team currently in a playoff spot. Most underrated player of all time pic.twitter.com/KbAAS6tPFL
— Nighthawk (@KrikorianB15) January 23, 2026

The Penguins enter Saturday's action with a 25-14-11 record, as they are exceeding expectations, and currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division. It's a weird time for president Kyle Dubas, because ahead of this season there were talks the team was going to blow up their roster and head down a rebuild, but given the team's performance, Dubas is looking to re-tool and get younger on the fly, while also giving his hockey team a chance to win.

Malkin's appeared in 35 games this season, scoring 12 goals, and adding 27 assists, for 39 points. He's averaging 17:37 of ice-time per game and after being a -24 rating last season, is surprisingly a +15 this season.

Point-per-game season for Evgeni Malkin at age 39, and he's making it clear his NHL run isn't ending anytime soon 😤🔥

(h/t @JoshYohe_PGH) pic.twitter.com/Xz5kHcfzWM
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 23, 2026

The Penguins have been non-committal on Malkin's future, and regardless of how well this season goes, many feel Dubas is going to move on, and not offer a contract to the future hall of famer.