Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin on contract: ‘Wait until end of season’
Evgeni Malkin is playing the “wait and see” approach when it comes to his next contract.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward spoke with reporters on Saturday following the team’s 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, and was asked if he could provide any information on his contract status.
Evgeni Malkin was asked if he could provide any information on his contract status. Here's what Geno had to say ⬇️
“We talked a little bit with (J.P. Barry, Malkin’s agent) a couple days ago, and he just said … wait until end of season, and then see what’s going on,” Malkin said. “Nothing (we) can say right now. I’m just playing. It’s not my job to talk to (GM Kyle Dubas) or somebody. I just play my game and wait.”
The 39-year-old Malkin is in the final season of a four-year, $24.4-million contract he signed in July 2022.
Through 43 games this season, Malkin has 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points, which ranks first on the Penguins in assists and second in points. Now in his 20th NHL season, he has 527 goals and 865 assists for 1,392 points in 1,255 career regular-season games.
Malkin has won the league Art Ross Trophy twice, leading the NHL in points with 113 points in 2008-09 and 109 in 2011-12, respectively. He also won the Hart Trophy in 2011-12.
He’s also also played in 177 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, scoring 67 goals and adding 113 assists for 180 points. The 2004 No. 2 overall pick was a major factor in Pittsburgh winning three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016 and 2017, and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP in 2009.
The Penguins are now 30-15-13 with 73 points in 58 games, ranking second in the Metropolitan Division.