Evgeni Malkin Frustrated With Penguins' Management

Evgeni Malkin felt his contract talks could be resolved by now. The Pittsburgh Penguins veteran forward is a pending unrestricted free agent at season's end, and while at this point it doesn't feel like he'll be traded before Friday, Malkin was hopeful Kyle Dubas and his agent could figure out a contract extension to give him some peace of mind.

"Nothing we can say right now," Malkin said following Saturday's loss to the New York Rangers, per team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. "I'm just playing. It's not my job to talk to (general manager) Kyle (Dubas) or somebody. I just play my game and just wait."

Malkin has denied for years he wants out and has stated he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, alongside Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. The 39-year-old has spent his entire 20-year career as a Pen, and this season has turned back the clock, recording 46 points in 43 games.

The Penguins are currently second in the Metropolitan Division and now, will be relying heavily on Malkin to carry the slack as Sidney Crosby was hurt in the Olympic quarterfinal, and now will miss at least a month.

Malkin's in the final season of a four-year contract, earning $6.1 million AAV, and expect to see him sign a two-year contract extension in Pittsburgh in the summer, unless Dubas wants to play the villain and walk away from the future hall-of-famer, and Penguins' great.

Photo credit:  Sergei Belski-Imagn Images