Evgeni Malkin's Penguins Future Addressed by GM Kyle Dubas Ahead of 2026 NHL Free Agency

General manager Kyle Dubas says the Pittsburgh Penguins "would love" to re-sign Evgeni Malkin for at least one more season.

Malkin, who has played 20 seasons and won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins, is currently set to hit unrestricted free agency ahead of his age-40 campaign.

"We've had a great exit interview with Evgeni directly, and then subsequently have had continued discussions with he and his representative J.P. Barry," Dubas said around the 31:45 mark of Tuesday's end-of-season media availability.

Dubas continued, "I don't look at our younger players, that they did enough to have it viewed like he's blocking anybody out in that regard. So, we would love to have him back. Just continue to work with J.P. on it."

The Penguins have already made some minor roster moves this offseason, including re-signing forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov.

The team is still heading into the 2026-27 campaign with what PuckPedia projects is an NHL-high $42.7 million in cap space.

Malkin played last season on a $6.1 million salary, during which he made his case to return to the NHL for a 21st season by transitioning from center to wing and contributing over a point per game when available.

Although he missed 26 games due to injury and suspension, Malkin contributed 19 goals, 42 assists for 61 points in 56 games to help the Penguins qualify for the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Malkin made it clear after the Penguins' first-round elimination by the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this offseason that he wanted to return to Pittsburgh, but that he would want to play for another NHL team if the Penguins didn't make him an offer.

Selected behind Alex Ovechkin as the No. 2 pick in the 2004 draft, Malkin currently ranks third all-time only to Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby for the most goals scored in franchise regular-season and playoff history.

Re-signing Malkin would allow the Penguins what could be a final shot at running things back with their longtime core.

The Penguins currently have Crosby signed for one more season, although he will become eligible for an extension as of July 1. Kris Letang, the third member of what is currently the longest-tenured trio in North American professional sports, is under contract for another two years.

Should Dubas and the Penguins ultimately agree to an extension with Malkin this offseason, the team would hope to continue adding young talent around their veteran core in order to attempt what could be a last playoff push with Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Erik Karlsson next spring.