Malkin's potential final season with the Penguins could mean he's not done in the NHL altogether.
In the midst of a rebuilding process, the Pittsburgh Penguins' future remains uncertain for one of their star players, Evgeni Malkin. Despite his 20-year tenure with the team, Malkin's current contract expires next summer, and discussions about a new deal are on hold until the Olympic break.
Malkin, who had 50 points in the previous season—his lowest total during a season where he played at least 57 games—has struggled with consistency and energy in recent years. However, he has not ruled out playing in the NHL next season, even if it's not with the Penguins.
The Penguins, who have not made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the last three seasons, did little to add to their roster during the summer. This has raised questions about potential trades, including Malkin, later in the season.
Sidney Crosby remains among the league's elite players, but Malkin is unsure how he would feel if the Penguins were to trade him. He cites Brad Marchand's move to the Florida Panthers as an example of an established star finding success after a trade.
Malkin finds Dan Muse's first few practices with the Penguins to be "crazy hard". Muse has been hired to replace Mike Sullivan as coach of the Penguins. Malkin expresses a desire to play in the playoffs and potentially have one more run for the Cup with the Penguins.
If this is Malkin's last year with the Penguins, he wants to give his best performance. The Penguins might need everything to come together quickly to be buyers at the trade deadline, and Malkin's play could play a crucial role in that decision.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is likely to wait until the Olympic break to discuss a new contract with Malkin. The discussion about a new contract is likely to occur during the Olympic break. Malkin's uncertainty about his future with the team adds an air of anticipation to the upcoming season.
As the Penguins navigate their rebuilding process, the future of Malkin—one of the team's most iconic players—remains a topic of interest and speculation among fans and analysts alike.
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