Awkward Standoff Is Forming Between the Penguins and Evgeni Malkin

The Pittsburgh Penguins appear ready to move on from Evgeni Malkin, but the veteran center continues say he wants to stay, and he is giving the organization reason to reconsider as he’s outperforming expectations this season.

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In fact, Malkin wants to add time to his contract, and according to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, discussions between Malkin’s representatives and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas remain scheduled for the Olympic break. For Dubas, those talks are mostly about a potential trade. For Malkin, it’s trying to convince the Penguins to give him one more year.

Malkin Wants to Sign an Extension with the Penguins

Malkin has made it clear he wants to remain in Pittsburgh. Meaning, unless something goes really sideways, he’s not likely to waive his no-move clause to join a contender before the trade deadline. The Penguins understand what it means to Malkin to retire a Penguin, but they’d like to get something for him.

Malkin would like to stay so badly that he is reportedly open to a one-year extension, willing to take a pay cut from his current $6.1 million salary. He has no interest in playing for another franchise. While he understands this could be his final NHL season, retirement is not something he is eager to embrace just yet.

Despite those concessions, the Penguins seem to be snubbing his offer. They have shown little interest in offering Malkin a new contract. They’ve maintained their position and remained firm, even though the 39-year-old has delivered 10 goals and 35 points in just 33 games this year. For the Penguins, it’s time to move on and go another direction and the longer veterans stick around, the harder it becomes to rip the Band-Aid off.

Malkin will turn 40 this summer and when it comes to their long-term planning, he’s simply not a part of their bigger picture thinking.

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