Evgeni Malkin, the veteran center of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is set to discuss his future with the team after the current NHL season. The 39-year-old player is in the last year of a significant contract, which he signed on July 12, 2022, worth $24.4 million over four years.
Malkin’s Current Contract and Performance
Malkin’s contract carries an annual average value of $6.1 million. As he prepares for his contract discussions, he has already engaged in talks with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, facilitated by his agent, J.P. Barry. These discussions occurred during the break for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026.
After a recent 3-2 shootout loss against the New York Rangers, Malkin mentioned, “We talked a little bit with J.P. a couple days ago. Just said, ‘Wait until the end of the season and see what’s going on.’”
Career Achievements and Statistics
Evgeni Malkin has made an indelible mark on the Penguins’ franchise. Since being chosen as the second overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, he has accumulated impressive statistics:
- 1,392 career points in 1,256 games
- 527 goals and 865 assists
He ranks third in the team’s history for points, goals, and assists, following legends Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. Notably, Malkin is second in games played for the franchise, with Crosby leading that category.
2023 Season Highlights
In his 20th NHL season, Malkin has recorded 46 points, comprised of 13 goals and 33 assists, in 43 games. He trails only Crosby, who leads the team with 59 points this season. Malkin’s performance last season was also noteworthy, as he notched 50 points, with 16 goals and 34 assists in 68 games.
As Malkin stated, “I’m just playing. It’s not my job to talk to Kyle or somebody. I just play my game and just wait.” This reflects his focus on performance rather than contract negotiations as the season nears its conclusion.
All eyes will be on Malkin as he navigates this pivotal point in his professional career. The upcoming discussions will likely shape his future with the Penguins and the NHL at large.
