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The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a surprise during the 2025-26 season in the NHL. Pittsburgh is currently in second in the Metropolitan Division with a 31-15-13 record with 75 points. They have played 59 games and will have 23 remaining this season.
The Penguins have a good chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, but that is not the biggest story for them at the moment. Evgeni Malkin is 39 years old, and his contract will expire at the end of the season. However, it appears as if Malkin and the Penguins don't appear close on a new contract potentially.
Is there a chance that the 2025-2026 NHL season is the last year that Malkin is in a Penguins uniform and also in the NHL? It remains to be seen in how this will play out potentially.
Pittsburgh Penguins Superstar Evgeni Malkin Provides Update About New Contract
After the Penguins lost to the New York Rangers 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday, Malkin spoke to the media about the latest update about a new contract. His agent, J.P. Barry, also spoke with general manager Kyle Dubas during the Olympics break about a new contract.
Malkin said, "I don't know if it's a secret or not, but 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.' Nothing I can say right now." With this being the case, this will be something to potentially watch for once the season ends.
For now, he will have to worry about continuing to produce for the Penguins. In 44 games played this season for Pittsburgh, Malkin has scored 13 goals and has recorded 34 assists, along with a plus/minus rating of 14. He has been in the NHL since the 2006-2007 season.
Malkin was the second overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft by Pittsburgh. He was in Russia for the for a couple of years before coming over to the NHL. If these final weeks of the season is it for Malkin in Pittsburgh, it was one amazing ride.