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Evgeni Malkin reportedly shares frustration after failed contract negotiations with the Penguins


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Jack Sutherland
February 28, 2026  (6:34 PM)
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Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) waits for the face-off against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Penguins iconic forward Evgeni Malkin, who is a pending UFA at the end of this season, has reportedly shared his frustration over failed contract negotiations for a deal with GM Kyle Dubas beyond this year.

He's one of the best players in team history, but his future with the team remains unclear, especially after the most recently released news.
Per Pittsburgh Penguins analyst Josh Yohe, the future of Evgeni Malkin with the club that he's helped lead to three Stanley Cups is cloudy right now, and that a decision won't be made until after this season ends.
Yohe also wrote that Malkin appeared frustrated by the current situation.
I spoke privately with Geno Malkin after he commented that no new deal will be discussed until following the season. You can feel Malkin's frustration. He badly wants to return next season. Really interesting to see how this will play out. - Josh Yohe
So far this year with the Penguins, Malkin has 46 points (13G, 33A) in 43 games played.

Evgeni Malkin Is A Pending UFA At The End Of This Year

The future of Makin with the Penguins also appeared bleak some years ago when Ron Hextall was the GM of the team, but he managed to sign him to a multi-year extension.
Malkin is now playing in the final year of that extension, but the good news is that he and the Penguins are having a much better year than anyone would have guessed possible coming into this season, and would be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022 if they began today.
One of the best players in team history, Malkin's No. 71 sweater number will be retired when he hangs up the skates and will also be hanged in the PPG Paints Arena rafters next to fellow icons Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux, and one day, Sidney Crosby.
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Evgeni Malkin reportedly shares frustration after failed contract negotiations with the Penguins

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