Sidney Crosby may not be the only one presumably sticking around a little longer for the Pittsburgh Penguins rebuild. Evgeni Malkin, whom many thought would be finished after the season, didn't sound like he's so keen to make that decision just yet.
Malkin recently said, "I'm still hungry. I'm glad to be here this year. [But] it depends how the season is going [whether I stay in Pittsburgh]. If we play great, I play great, I feel confidence, and I show my game, why not one more? The preseason is huge for the team, and for myself. We have [a] new coach, a couple new teammates. It's exciting to see what's going on this year."
The takeaway? Malkin ain't gonna be rash with retirement or potentially playing elsewhere, so we don't need to call the 2025-26 season a farewell tour. Not yet, anyway, because if Malkin thinks the Pens still have fuel in the tank, and if he feels like he can still contribute at a high or even a decent level, then he'll be ready to roll for 2026-27.
That said, a lot needs to happen if Malkin's planning on making this work. The Penguins championship window's more than closed. And if the team gets worse, it's hard to see him sticking around unless they win the Gavin McKenna Sweepstakes.
Evgeni Malkin isn't ready to call it quits after 2025-26...yet
Even if the Penguins keep regressing, there's also this burning question: What will Malkin's play even look like?
Malkin hasn't been a point-per-game player over the past two seasons, putting up just 50 points and 16 goals last year, despite playing in 68 games. The year before that, Malkin logged 67 points and 27 goals in 82 contests.
It's more than clear he's on the decline as he enters his age-39 season. So, not only would Malkin need the Pens to at least have some hope going into 2026-27; he's got to get somewhat in the rink of 70-ish points across an 82-game slate to keep delivering the Penguins effective play.
He also didn't steal pucks the way we've all gotten used to seeing throughout his career, with his takeaways dropping from an eye-popping 90 in 2023-24 to just 30 last season. So, Malkin must find ways to revitalize his game across the board if he wants to give it another season (or two).
Ideally, we'd see Sidney Crosby and Geno retire together and officially pass the torch to a new generation of success climbing through the prospects pool. But for that to happen, a few dominoes must fall in line. If not, then Malkin's playing his final 82 contests to cap off a decorated career.