Kyle Dubas can't play both sides, Malkin's UFA status demands a clear Penguins plan

PensBurgh reported Tuesday that Malkin expects summer talks with Dubas and wants at least one more season.

Malkin is in the final year of his contract at $6.1M AAV, and he becomes a UFA after the 2025-26 season.

His deal also carries a full no-move clause, which means any "trade outcome" starts with what Geno wants.

On the ice, he's sitting at 15-35-50 in 47 games, which is still top-six driving and serious power-play juice.

Monday's 7-2 win in Colorado wasn't just noise, it was a leverage game, because it reminded everyone what Pittsburgh looks like when the middle is alive.

The smart way to read this is "two timelines" colliding.

Timeline one says keep the band together, because the Penguins are in the Metro race and points right now are priceless.

Timeline two says the cap can't be sentimental, because a pending UFA at $6.1M is either a short extension, or an asset decision you don't get back.

You can feel the fanbase pulling both directions, because nobody wants a messy goodbye, but nobody wants to get stuck in the middle again.

If Dubas believes in another spring run, the play is a one-year extension that keeps Malkin in the top-six and preserves the man advantage.

If Dubas thinks the ceiling is lower, the only real path is an honest ask for permission to explore a fit elsewhere, NMC and all before July 1st.

Either way, the next game matters, because every win strengthens Malkin's argument that he's still part of the answer.

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