Kyle Dubas Weighs In on Malkin's Role and Future in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins dealt with plenty of injuries and inconsistencies in 2024/25, and while that effected their team success overall, it also hampered the play of some of their key veterans throughout the year.

That's something that Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas discussed with the media on Monday, as he came to address the ups and downs of what was a highly disappointing campaign for them.

The player perhaps most effected was Evgeni Malkin, who went through several different wingers throughout the year, and combined with his own injuries, it made for one of the toughest campaigns of his Penguins career.

Thankfully for 'Geno', Dubas revealed his plans for the 2025/26 campaign for Pittsburgh's veteran, revealing that the game plan is to get him more consistent wingers, with Rickard Rakell an option to be the permanent right winger for No. 71 moving forward.

Unsurprisingly however, Dubas was full of immense praise for the veteran, stating that he didn't let that revolving door effect his play like it would for younger players, but given how good Malkin can still be, there's success to be had on the second line if the Penguins find the right combinations.

For now, they'll sit back and watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but with plenty of draft picks and significant salary cap space, don't be shocked to see Pittsburgh as big spenders as they look to get back into the post-season after missing for three consecutive seasons.