Evgeni Malkin Makes Surprising Admission About NHL Future

Sunday, September 20, 2026
Evgeni Malkin entered this offseason framing 2026-27 as likely his last NHL season, in Pittsburgh or wherever else he ended up. 

At training camp this week, that tone shifted.

One More Season Turns Into Maybe More

The Penguins signed Malkin to a one-year, $5.5 million extension back in May, a deal that came together after some uncertainty about whether Pittsburgh would bring him back at all following a first-round playoff exit. 

At the time, the expectation around the situation was one more ride, then a decision. Speaking with reporters during the second day of camp, Malkin was asked whether he could see himself playing beyond this season, and he didn't rule it out. 

"I mean, it's a hard question," Malkin said. "Right now, I won't say 'yes.' But we'll see how my body feels. It's all about that I still love the game. It's why I'm here, like, 21 years. I love the game." 

That's a different tone than simply treating this as a farewell tour, and it fits with how he's approached the past year overall, going from uncertainty about his future to publicly needling the front office over the lack of an extension to eventually signing back on with real conviction. 

The Condition Attached To Everything

Malkin was equally clear that his return isn't unconditional. 

Now 40 and entering his 21st NHL season, he made his standard explicit. "I'm a person that if I don't feel like 100 percent, I'm not playing, you know? Because I want to be on my top level. I don't want to just spend time, just do nothing." 

He backed that up further, telling reporters that if his game isn't helping Pittsburgh win, he considers that the same as being retired. 

Malkin was legitimately excellent last season, posting 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games, his first point-per-game campaign since 2019-20, and a major reason Pittsburgh returned to the playoffs after three straight years on the outside. 

That production is also what's kept his partnership with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang going for 21 seasons now, the longest three teammates have ever played together in major North American pro sports history. 

"It's not we're just here because we win three Cups," Malkin said. "I hope we're here because we still play good." 

Even under this season's contract, Malkin becomes eligible to submit a three-team trade list on January 1, adding a layer of uncertainty if Pittsburgh struggles and a contender comes calling before any decision about next season is made. 

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