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Evgeni Malkin hits 2026 UFA rankings as Penguins face $6.1M contract decision
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Matt Larkin ranked Evgeni Malkin No. 8 on the 2026 UFA board, and the Pittsburgh Penguins now own the summer's loudest contract question.
Malkin is 39, on an expiring four-year deal at a $6.1 million cap hit, and that contract carries full no-movement protection.
He also has 13-34-47 in 46 games, which is still real top-six production in a season that has asked a lot from him.
NHL.com reported on March 1 that Malkin and Kyle Dubas planned to revisit his future after the season.
Then came the five-game suspension for slashing Rasmus Dahlin, a hit to rhythm and maybe to leverage, too.
Daily Faceoff's point lands because it feels true in Pittsburgh. Malkin wants to stay, but this is not automatic anymore.
That is why this story is bigger than nostalgia. The Penguins have to price the next contract, not the old memories.
A shorter deal at a lower AAV still makes hockey sense. His touch on the man advantage and his seam passing still open the ice.
Without Sidney Crosby, the Penguins have needed creation through the middle, and Malkin still gives them a second wave teams must respect.
Evgeni Malkin still fits the Pittsburgh Penguins
Fans are torn here, because the heart says lifetime Penguin and the cap sheet says do not pay for yesterday.
The standings make this urgent. Pittsburgh is 32-17-15 with 79 points, so getting Malkin back matters for every matchup down the stretch.
His clause shut down easy deadline noise, but it also showed how personal this file has always been.
Dubas does not need a tribute contract. He needs a number that protects roster flexibility on the blue line and in the middle six.
If the term stays tight and the cap hit comes down, Pittsburgh can keep the icon and still leave room for the next move.
That is the real tension now, and the next milestone is simple, get through this playoff push, then see if July still feels like home.
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Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
MARS 12|82 ANSWERS Evgeni Malkin hits 2026 UFA rankings as Penguins face $6.1M contract decision Should Evgeni Malkin re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a short-term deal? | ||
| Yes | 62 | 75.6 % |
| No | 20 | 24.4 % |
| List of polls | ||