The Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2025-26 comeback is one of the more impressive feats from an organization with a rookie head coach. The Penguins have stabilized their core and are sitting on a stockpile of draft picks intelligently acquired by GM Kyle Dubas.
To top it all, veterans like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to produce at an elite level, and both have the desire to stick around beyond this season. However, Malkin’s contract extension is in limbo, leading Penguins insider Josh Yohe to reflect on its ramifications when it comes to Crosby’s future with the team.
Insider Expects Sidney Crosby to Stick Around the Pittsburgh Penguins
Malkin’s contract extension situation has been hanging heavy for Penguins fans. The veteran center’s four-year, $24.4 million contract is due to expire this summer, and while the 39-year-old continues to defy age on the ice, Dubas has yet to hand him an extension.
The Penguins’ general manager, however, has stated that he will meet Malkin’s representatives after the season.
Despite Dubas’s intention to pick things up during the offseason, an extension is not guaranteed. On the subject of Malkin’s contract extension, the Pens GM, while being appreciative of the veteran’s performance this season, will only do what serves the team best. Hence, while it is possible that the 39-year-old center will be handed an extension, one cannot be absolutely sure.
Crosby and Malkin bonded in their early days playing for the Penguins. Their brotherhood has withstood the barriers of time and language. While the Penguins captain would love for Malkin to continue his run with the franchise, Yohe believes Crosby, who is only halfway through his two-year, $17.4 million contract, will sign an extension regardless of what happens between the Penguins and Malkin.
“Crosby will want Malkin to come back, yes. But I think he’ll sign another contract whether Malkin returns or not. I don’t like speaking for Crosby, but that’s my sense,” Yohe wrote for The Athletic.
There is good reason to wonder what could be keeping Dubas from handing out an extension to Malkin. At his current cap hit of $ 6.1 million, the veteran forward is surely a steal. Per multiple reports, he’s also willing to take a pay cut to stay in Pittsburgh.
Nonetheless, if this is Malkin’s last season with the Penguins, he has surpassed expectations. Against the Florida Panthers on April 4, the veteran had three goals and one assist.
In the aftermath of his phenomenal feat, Malkin was overcome with emotion. “I almost cried a little bit. It’s huge for me. I (last) scored a hat trick a long time ago, I don’t remember when (2022 against the Red Wings). Again, it’s lots of emotion,” the Penguins veteran said.
For now, Malkin is still an indelible part of the Penguins’ lineup. The 39-year-old is currently on a hot streak, having scored six points over two games. With his countless contributions over the 20 seasons he has spent with the Penguins, Malkin has secured a place for himself in the history of the franchise.
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