The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed veteran forward Evgeni Malkin to a one-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $5.5 million.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports the deal is bonus-laden as Malkin returns to the franchise for a 21st season this fall. The centre can earn additional $500,000 via a games played bonus, $1 million if the Penguins make the playoffs and another $500,000 for each playoff round won. The maximum value of the deal is $9 million.
The contract includes a full no-movement clause.
Malkin, who will turn 40 this summer, wrapped a four-year, $24.4 million contract this season, which featured an average annual value of $6.1 million.
Malkin performed well in 2025-26, helping the Penguins reach the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, scoring 19 goals and 42 assists for 61 points over 56 games. He had the highest points-per-game average among all pending unrestricted free agents.
The native of Magnitogorsk, Russia had two goals and one assist over six playoff games as the Penguins were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the opening round.
ANOTHER YEAR OF MALKAMANIA 🔥
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 26, 2026
Malkin was selected with the second-overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, scoring 533 goals and 874 assists over 1,269 career games, all in Pittsburgh.
He added 69 goals and 114 assists over 183 career playoff games, bringing Stanley Cups to Pittsburgh in 2009, 2016 and 2017.
The future Hall of Famer won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2007 before winning two Art Ross Trophies (2009 and 2012), the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009 as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in 2012.
Malkin scored a career-high 50 goals and 59 assists over 75 games during his MVP season in 2011-12.
