Evgeni Malkin Says He'd Be Open to Leaving Penguins in NHL Free Agency After Playoff Exit

Evgeni Malkin says he hopes to play in the NHL next season whether or not the Pittsburgh Penguins re-sign him after the team's first-round elimination by the Philadelphia Flyers.

"I want to play one more year in the NHL. I'm not looking back to KHL, play in Russia," Malkin told reporters during Friday's exit interviews. "If not Pittsburgh, I hope some team."

When asked directly if he would play for another team should the Penguins not re-sign him, Malkin answered, "Yes."

Malkin, who has spent 20 seasons with the Penguins, is currently set to hit unrestricted free agency ahead of his age-40 campaign.

He has spent the entirety of that tenure playing alongside Sidney Crosby, who told reporters Friday he is hoping Malkin returns to the organization next season.

"I think it's clear I'd love to play with him for longer... I think that's pretty obvious at this point. I'd love to keep playing with him," Crosby said.

Malkin's resurgent season, during which he posted 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games, was a key reason the Penguins qualified for the postseason for the first time in four years.

His flexibility also benefitted the Penguins as head coach Dan Muse was able to move him from center to wing.

Malkin was additionally one of just two Penguins forwards to score multiple postseason goals before the team was bounced from the first round with Wednesday's Game 6 loss to the Flyers.

Penguins-Flyers Highlights

03:52

The veteran forward played last season on a $6.1 million salary, although The Athletic's Josh Yohe reported in January he would be willing to take a pay cut on his next deal.

The Penguins theoretically have the space to take on Malkin's next contract. General manager Kyle Dubas is heading into the 2026-27 season with what PuckPedia projects is $45.8 million in cap room.

Signing a 40-year-old to a new deal might not match the long-term plan from Dubas, who has been clearing cap space and acquiring draft picks in order to prepare for the inevitable rebuild the Penguins will enter after the Crosby era.

Both Crosby and Kris Letang are signed through next season, however, and the Penguins are limited on AHL forwards ready to immediately make the jump to take Malkin's roster spot or fill in for his point-per-game production.

Whether the Penguins re-sign Malkin could depend both on Malkin's willingness to sign a one-year deal and the timeline Dubas is considering for the franchise's upcoming rebuild.

Malkin isn't the only Penguins legend whose future with the franchise is up in the air this summer. Crosby, who is currently signed through next season, will be eligible to sign an extension in July before turning 39 in August.