Penguins A to Z: What can Evgeni Malkin still offer?

With the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the offseason for a third consecutive year without a playoff appearance, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 57 individuals signed to an NHL contract including those whose deals do not begin until future seasons - with the organization.

Starting with Noel Acciari and going on through to Philip Tomasino (regrettably, there is no Z on the payroll), every player will be profiled in alphabetical order.

This series is scheduled to be published Mondays through Saturdays leading up until June 24, four days before the start of the NHL Draft.

In the event of a transaction, that schedule will be altered as necessary.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Puckpedia .) Evgeni Malkin Position: Center Shoots: Left Age: 38 Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 195 pounds 2024-25 NHL statistics: 68 games, 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists), 17:47 of average ice time per contest Contract: In the third year of a four-year contract with a salary cap hit of $6.1 million.

Pending unrestricted free agent in 2026 (This contract contains a no-movement clause.) Acquired: First-round draft pick (No.

2 overall), June 26, 2004 This season: Evgeni Malkins arrival in Pittsburgh during the mid-2000s was enthralling.

He slipped out of his native Russia through mysterious circumstances and offered an eruptive spectacle as an NHLer during his rookie season of 2006-07 His departure doesnt seem like it will be all that captivating as he enters the final stage of his NHL career.

At least that was what one could surmise from Malkins 2024-25 campaign.

Malkin actually started the season with fury.

Approximately a week into the campaign, he led the NHL in scoring with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in five games, including his 500th career goal during a 6-5 home overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct.

16.

But that level of production wasnt to be sustained as Malkins diminished abilities as a late 30-something and a largely subpar assortment of linemates especially after Rickard Rakell got a nearly permanent promotion to Sidney Crosbys line limited Malkins impact.

Between Oct.

18 and Jan.

5, Malkin generated only 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 36 games before an undisclosed injury hobbled him for four games in early January.

A separate undisclosed malady landed him on injured reserve by Jan.

27 and sidelined him for seven games.

The timing of that convalescence offered some benefit, however, as it led to the NHLs nearly two-week break for the leagues 4 Nations Face-Off exhibition event.

That provided Malkin with some badly needed time to heal up.

That recovery manifested itself in the form of a small scoring surge of seven points (three goals, four assists) between Feb.

22 and 27.

Malkins season progressed like his team as both limped into the final weeks of the season (especially after Malkins steadiest linemate, Michael Bunting, was traded on March 5.

In his final 14 games, Malkin posted a mundane nine points (four goals, five assists).

The future: It shouldnt be surprising he is limited in what he can offer at this stage of his career.

He looks exactly like a player in his late 30s whose body has paid a physical price he has endured multiple knee surgeries over nearly two decades.

Make no mistake, the effort and the intentions are there for Malkin, who turns 39 on July 31.

His passion and dedication to the team are legit.

But his physical capabilities have eroded.

He can still be a viable second-line center in the NHL, though not at the heights he enjoyed when he was a threat to win scoring titles more than a decade ago.

An upgrade in linemates would benefit Malkin considerably.

While Crosby excelled with 30-goal threats such as Rakell and Bryan Rust, Malkin labored with a menagerie of misfit toys such as Connor Dewar, Danton Heinen and Philip Tomasino, especially in the later stages of the season.

Presumed promotions of promising forward prospects such as Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty might offer a boost for Malkin.

There are a lot of questions about the Penguins this upcoming offseason, including the still vacant head coachs office.

But perhaps the biggest question is what Malkin in the final year of his contract can still offer as he embarks on his presumed last ride with the Penguins..

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