Evgeni Malkin, the center from Magnitogorsk, Russia, may be approaching the conclusion of his NHL career in 2024-25 at age 39. After 19 seasons spent entirely with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Malkin is in the last year of his four-year contract worth $6.1 million. This contract status has sparked speculation about whether this will be his final year in the league and where he might finish his career.
Remaining with the Pittsburgh Penguins
The most probable scenario is that Malkin completes his playing days with the Penguins, the only NHL team for which he has competed. Throughout his tenure, he has become a key player alongside Sidney Crosby and has helped Pittsburgh secure three Stanley Cup championships. Many believe the trio of Malkin, Crosby, and Kris Letang will eventually retire together as lifelong Penguins.
Joining the Minnesota Wild
An intriguing possibility is Malkin landing with the Minnesota Wild. During the offseason, he was seen training with Kirill Kaprizov, a talented left winger from Novokuznetsk who produced 56 points in just 41 games last season. Kaprizov has amassed 386 points in his first 319 NHL contests, and if Malkin develops chemistry with him in preseason, the Wild could consider acquiring him, especially if Pittsburgh falls out of playoff contention by February.
New York Rangers as a Viable Destination
The New York Rangers also represent a potential final team for Malkin for multiple reasons. Mike Sullivan, formerly head coach of the Penguins who worked with Malkin for ten years, was named Rangers head coach on May 2. The Rangers may be interested in pairing Malkin with fellow Russian star Artemi Panarin of Korkino, who has accumulated 397 points over the past four seasons. However, Panarin’s production dropped by 31 points in 2024-25 compared to the previous season, which could motivate the team to strengthen its roster with an experienced center like Malkin.
Malkin’s Performance in the 2024-25 Season
In the 2024-25 NHL season, Malkin scored 16 goals and added 34 assists, totaling 50 points in 68 games. Defensively, he was recorded at -24 on the plus/minus rating and accrued 42 penalty minutes. He contributed 16 power-play points, three game-winning goals, and took 125 shots on goal. Malkin also won 290 faceoffs, blocked 48 shots, delivered 32 hits, made 30 takeaways, but was responsible for 79 giveaways.
That season saw Malkin deliver two notable four-point games. On October 16, he posted one goal and three assists in a 6-5 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres. Later, on February 27, he scored two goals and set up two more in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Significance of Malkin’s Next Career Steps
Evgeni Malkin’s decision about where to play next holds weight not only for his own legacy but also for the NHL teams involved. Staying with the Penguins would solidify his lifelong bond with the franchise, while joining the Wild or Rangers could offer new opportunities to impact other contenders. The possibility of him linking up with players like Kirill Kaprizov or Artemi Panarin adds an exciting dynamic to the league’s landscape as Malkin nears the end of an illustrious career.