Report: Pending UFA center Evgeni Malkin decides to test the open market

Mike Gould
Mike Gould
Report: Pending UFA center Evgeni Malkin decides to test the open market
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in his illustrious National Hockey League career, Evgeni Malkin is about to hit the open market.

The longtime Pittsburgh Penguins center is expected to test the waters as an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, according to a report by TSN’s Darren Dreger.

Malkin, 35, scored 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 41 games with the Penguins during the 2021–22 regular season. He added three goals and six assists in seven games as the Penguins were eliminated by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Penguins originally selected Malkin with the No. 2 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3 center has spent his entire NHL career in Pittsburgh, winning three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, and 2017) and numerous individual awards, including the 2012 Hart Trophy.

In 981 career regular-season games with the Penguins from 2006–07 to 2021–22, Malkin scored 444 goals and 1,146 points. He added 67 goals and 180 points in 177 playoff games.

Rumours have swirled over the last few weeks about Malkin’s future in Pittsburgh. Malkin’s apparent displeasure with the Penguins’ offers reportedly led him to express his frustrations to his teammates, texting one: “They don’t think I’m a good player – why?”

Malkin’s durability has come into question throughout his career, potentially exacerbated by his intense style of play. The big forward last played more than 80 games in a season back in 2008–09 and hasn’t surpassed 70 since 2017–18.

There has been no indication that Malkin has ruled out a return to the Penguins, although they still have plenty of other business to conduct. Rickard Rakell, Evan Rodrigues, and Danton Heinen are also pending UFAs, while Kasperi Kapanen is a pending RFA with arbitration rights.

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