Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin says he plans on returning for a 21st season but it may not be in Pittsburgh.
The 39-year-old centre just wrapped up his four-year, $24 million contract and says he wants to return to where he spent his entire NHL career.
However, he’s willing to move on if negotiations with the Penguins fall through,
“I mean, I want to play (in the) NHL, for sure,” Malkin told Wes Crosby of NHL.com on Friday. “But again, I know it’s not easy for [general manager Kyle Dubas]. Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it’s business, and I understand he wants maybe [a] new team, see new faces here. But for me, I want to play one more year in the NHL. I’m not looking [to go] back to KHL, play in Russia. But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some team.”
Malkin proved he can still be an impact player in the NHL, recording 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games this season to lead the Penguins back into the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
He added two goals and three points in six playoff games before the Penguins were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.
The Magnitogrosk, Russia, native has been a core part of the Penguins for the last 20 years, along with superstar centre Sidney Crosby and defenceman Kris Letang.
Those three players have been a part of a Penguins team that won three Stanley Cups together and are the longest trio of teammates in the history of North American professional sport.
Letang is under contract for two more seasons while Crosby has a year left on his deal.
“[Those] are special two guys for me. I love playing together,” said Malkin. “We’re not happy we lost, but we try to fight every game. But sometimes, you’re losing. But again, these are two special guys. I hope we play together one more year. But if not, I have great 20 years together. And never forget.”
Drafted second overall by the Penguins in 2004, Malkin has 533 goals and 1,407 points in 1,207 career games.
He is third in franchise history in goals, assists, and points behind Crosby and Mario Lemieux and second to Crosby in games played.
Malkin led the Penguins won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009, registering 14 goals and 36 points to lead his team to their first championship in 17 years.
The three-time first-team all-star also won the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2012 after leading the league in scoring with 50 goals and 109 points in 75 games. He won also won the Art Ross Trophy twice in 2009 and 2012 and won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2007.
“I mean, it’s tough. We’ll see what happens,” Crosby added. “We’ve played together for so long, I think it’s clear that I’d love to be playing with him for longer, so we’ll see what happens. I think it’s pretty obvious that I’d love to keep playing with him.”
As for Crosby’s future, the 38-year-old says it’s a year-to-year process. Crosby led the Penguins with 29 goals and 74 points in 68 games this season and can negotiate an extension this off-season if he so chooses.
“As far as how long I want to play, I don’t know,” Crosby said. “I mean, it’s tough. It’s one of those things that it’s a year-to-year thing, and how you feel. But I feel pretty good overall, and happy with, generally, the season.”
