All signs point to Evgeni Malkin leaving Pittsburgh in 2026

The Penguins have a long way to go before returning to the playoffs, in my opinion.

The Penguins plan must, from a very rational point of view, be the following: trade the big pieces as quickly as possible to start afresh quickly.

Erik Karlsson, for example, has to go.

But you know as well as I do that the cases of Kristopher Letang, Evgeni Malkin and (especially) Sidney Crosby are different.

After all, they are Pittsburgh icons.

But when will they leave? Theres a growing rumor going around the NHL that Evgeni Malkin will play his last NHL season in 2025-2026, on the heels of the final year of his $6.1 million-a-year contract.

And theres no indication that hell be playing anywhere but with the Penguins.

We dont know if retirement or the KHL awaits him, but we do know that Elliotte Friedman and David Pagnotta are among the informants who heard about this recently.

Todays piece hits on Pittsburghs direction & possibly Malkins final season, plus: Coaches (Sturm, Smith, Woodcroft, etc.) Eyes on #AllCaps assistants #Isles exec hunt Holland & #GoKingsGo #LetsGoBuffalo & Byram #FlyTogether & Gibson +more https://t.co/ZFuRl5imUd David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 12, 2025 With Malkin set to leave in 2026 at the latest, and Kristopher Letang s health problems making us wonder more than ever how much longer hell be able to play , we have to wonder if such news will prompt Sidney Crosby to leave...

in 2026.

I wouldnt be completely surprised if, in just one years time, Crosby was thinking of leaving for a winning team to attempt, for a fourth (and final?) time, to win the Stanley Cup.

Well see in due course, but perhaps if his friends leave, Crosby will be more open to thinking things over.

However, its still very realistic to think that Sidney Crosby, renowned for his loyalty, could end his career in Pittsburgh with the Penguins.

overtime The former Ducks coach understood why he left when he saw who took his place.

Greg Cronin on the shock of Ducks firing and being replaced by Joel Quenneville.

My latest for @TheAthletic https://t.co/ysWCkyGoB1 Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 12, 2025 DJ Smith back as head coach? Some LAK news: Hearing Assistant HC DJ Smith has interviewed for multiple NHL head coaching openings.

Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) May 12, 2025 He had a great career.

Retirement from hockey for former Canadiens Stefan Matteau.

https://t.

co/Ygq1HBMDyy Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) May 12, 2025 Really.

Three years later, the young core they got back is paying dividends.

https://t.co/T9pxgwOwzh Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 12, 2025 Really? A first surprise in the tournament! https://t.co/aeEWWbLt0H TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 12, 2025 This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission..

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