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Evgeni Malkin confirms Kyle Dubas talks after win, Penguins must re-sign him


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Daniel Lucente
March 17, 2026  (1:21 PM)
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Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) controls the puck in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Post-Gazette pushed this into focus, Evgeni Malkin wants 2026-27, and Pittsburgh's $6.1 million decision just got louder.

Malkin is 39, a pending UFA, and he is finishing a four-year, $24.4 million deal with a $6.1 million cap hit and full no-move clause.
He also returned Monday from suspension and put up two goals in a 7-2 win over Colorado, which is the kind of timing front offices do not ignore.
His season line sits at 15-35-50 in 47 games, and that still plays on a contender's second line.
The fit is simple. Malkin still drives the man advantage, still slows chaotic shifts into controlled touches, and still gives Pittsburgh a real middle-lane threat behind Sidney Crosby.
For the next game, this matters because the Penguins can keep Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell in cleaner offensive matchups if Malkin holds the second unit together. That is lineup value, not legacy talk.
"He asked me if [I] want to play next year. I say, 'Yes,' but then he say, 'Don't worry. We talk after season.' I'm OK. I feel great."

- Evgeni Malkin
Pittsburgh is now 34-18-15 after Monday's win, so Dubas is not managing a farewell tour here. He is managing a playoff race and a cap puzzle at the same time.

Evgeni Malkin still fits the Pittsburgh Penguins

Fans are going to split on the age, but plenty of them watched Monday and saw the same thing, this team is harder to defend when Geno is engaged.
The smart play is a short extension, likely one year, at a lower number that protects flexibility while keeping the power play dangerous.
A full rebuild argument gets weaker when the player still produces above a point per game and controls game flow in the offensive zone.
Dubas does not need sentiment here. He needs a number, a role, and a contract that keeps the Penguins dangerous again on Wednesday and believable next fall.
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Evgeni Malkin confirms Kyle Dubas talks after win, Penguins must re-sign him

Should Kyle Dubas re-sign Evgeni Malkin for 2026-27?

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