Malkin done after next season?

[FLPensFan]

Rossi has an article today about Malkin's future: HERE

If you don't have an Athletic subscription, basic jist is Malkin says he will retire a Penguin. He doesn't want to be traded, he doesn't want to go play a few years in Russia. It is not determined yet if he would sign another deal after his current expires. I pulled a few of the direct quotes from the article, which is the meat of the issue:



“I not retire,” Malkin said to The Athletic on Wednesday. “I know what some people say — like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team. But I never say it, you know?

“I retire with Pittsburgh. The Penguins are my team. I love this team. When I retire it’s here.”

He has one season remaining on his contract and has not decided if it will be his last.

That last contract will be with the Penguins, though.

“I retire here — with Penguins — when it happens,” Malkin said. “This is my only team.”

“I not play in Russia after Pittsburgh,” Malkin said Wednesday. “Maybe one game for home team in Russia. Just one to say goodbye.”

Malkin said his primary goal is for the Penguins to return to the playoffs after a two-season absence. His son, Nikita, will turn 9 in June and was too young to appreciate the Penguins’ most recent postseason success.

The Penguins haven’t won a playoff series since 2018.

“It’s my dream for him to see us in playoffs — make good memories for him,” Malkin said earlier this season. “I hope I play long enough to see it.”

[Michael74]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

[FLPensFan]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

I think he just said the exact opposite of this.

[KG]

Geno will remain Pens. Good to see him come out and say it again.

He has no interest in moving to another team to chase a cup. He knows he's on the last couple holes of the back 9.

[Pitts]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

I think he just said the exact opposite of this.

He's got one more year remaining. No reason to think he will not finish that contract.

[john66]

Not sure why anyone would think Geno would retire after this season and leave 6.1 mil on the table?

[Daniel]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

I think he just said the exact opposite of this.

During the middle of the season.

Wait until the offseason when things slow down and see what happens. I can see Michael's point of view on this.

[Cow_Master66]

Not sure why anyone would think Geno would retire after this season and leave 6.1 mil on the table?

Yep, he ain't dumb...What's scary is that if he wanted to play another year after, the org would probably cut him another 1 year check.

[stonewizard51]

Barring any injury, I don't see him retiring until his contract is up.

[Puck-Lurker]

Love the doubting of Geno. Guy can't get much respect in some places. Lucky for us, Geno is all heart. One more year.

If you can get someone to center him and he plays wing, no reason he can't play on beyond that next season. He won't though, he'll serve out his contract and retire as a once and always Penguin.

[Cow_Master66]

Love the doubting of Geno. Guy can't get much respect in some places. Lucky for us, Geno is all heart. One more year.

If you can get someone to center him and he plays wing, no reason he can't play on beyond that next season. He won't though, he'll serve out his contract and retire as a once and always Penguin.

One of my favorite players ever, but hate turning down a potentially sweet return just to have him (or anyone) be a "once and always Penguin". Just terrible business....

[FLPensFan]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

I think he just said the exact opposite of this.

During the middle of the season.

Wait until the offseason when things slow down and see what happens. I can see Michael's point of view on this.

When's the last time a player retired mid-contract without a severe injury.....probably never.

[Antonio]

I personally think he's been ready to be done for a few years so i wouldn't be surprised if he didn't play next year, but I'm sure the allure of another 6 million bucks is too strong.

[EndO FanEra]

I think he'll play out next season, barring major injury. After that, I think it might greatly depend on the trajectory of the team.

If Dubas has made some significant changes, and the team is trending towards having a shot at a playoff spot, I could see him coming back for another year, possibly even 2 if they keep improving. Like people have been talking about for years, move him to wing to lessen his responsibilities. Geno @ $3M as a middle-6 winger for '26-'27 wouldn't be all that horrible.

However, if the team continues to struggle all of next season, and it looks like it's going to be other year or 2 before we're competitive again, I could totally see him retiring at the end of next season.

[lemieuxReturns]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

I think he just said the exact opposite of this.

Yep

[lemieuxReturns]

Not sure why anyone would think Geno would retire after this season and leave 6.1 mil on the table?

Yep, he ain't dumb...What's scary is that if he wanted to play another year after, the org would probably cut him another 1 year check.

That is scary? Uhhh, ok.

[dark_forces]

I think he'll play out next season, barring major injury. After that, I think it might greatly depend on the trajectory of the team.

If Dubas has made some significant changes, and the team is trending towards having a shot at a playoff spot, I could see him coming back for another year, possibly even 2 if they keep improving. Like people have been talking about for years, move him to wing to lessen his responsibilities. Geno @ $3M as a middle-6 winger for '26-'27 wouldn't be all that horrible.

However, if the team continues to struggle all of next season, and it looks like it's going to be other year or 2 before we're competitive again, I could totally see him retiring at the end of next season.

Do you think the organization would re-sign him for another year? I'm not so sure. When he signed his current 4 year deal, it was viewed at the time that he gave a bit on a lesser annual salary to have that 4th year. Hextall, it was said, was pushing hard for a 3 year deal.
Unless, he signed for less than 4 million, or a much reduced rate, I don't see them having interest. I think, having watched him play this year, he doesn't have much left beyond next season. I would hate to see him hang on one year longer than he should.

[FLPensFan]

I think he'll play out next season, barring major injury. After that, I think it might greatly depend on the trajectory of the team.

If Dubas has made some significant changes, and the team is trending towards having a shot at a playoff spot, I could see him coming back for another year, possibly even 2 if they keep improving. Like people have been talking about for years, move him to wing to lessen his responsibilities. Geno @ $3M as a middle-6 winger for '26-'27 wouldn't be all that horrible.

However, if the team continues to struggle all of next season, and it looks like it's going to be other year or 2 before we're competitive again, I could totally see him retiring at the end of next season.

I think this is it right here. He's likely done next year.....BUT.....if Dubas were able to make enough changes that the team had a strong chance of being playoff capable, then maybe I could see Malkin signing a 1 year deal @ 3M like you said. But by playoff capable, I mean fans and most outsiders think they are a playoff team, not Sullivan and Dubas think a gaggle of old timers slapped together with duct tape is "gonna compete and get to our game" playoff hopes and dreams.

It's tough though, because I almost feel like the organization would want to know going into next season if it is Geno's last season....because FSG will play up the **** outta that for $$$$, and so will teams when he's playing on the road, too.

[mnpensfan]

It is kind of surprising that he is saying no where else but Pittsburgh now considering how contentious the negotiations went with his current contract and how he was saying he was done in Pittsburgh until Crosby got involved.

[BigMcK]

Geno in a diminished role beyond next season would be my prediction. However, why? 4th line duty with maybe some Powerplay minutes?

[Antonio]

I think he'll play out next season, barring major injury. After that, I think it might greatly depend on the trajectory of the team.

If Dubas has made some significant changes, and the team is trending towards having a shot at a playoff spot, I could see him coming back for another year, possibly even 2 if they keep improving. Like people have been talking about for years, move him to wing to lessen his responsibilities. Geno @ $3M as a middle-6 winger for '26-'27 wouldn't be all that horrible.

However, if the team continues to struggle all of next season, and it looks like it's going to be other year or 2 before we're competitive again, I could totally see him retiring at the end of next season.

I think this is it right here. He's likely done next year.....BUT.....if Dubas were able to make enough changes that the team had a strong chance of being playoff capable, then maybe I could see Malkin signing a 1 year deal @ 3M like you said. But by playoff capable, I mean fans and most outsiders think they are a playoff team, not Sullivan and Dubas think a gaggle of old timers slapped together with duct tape is "gonna compete and get to our game" playoff hopes and dreams.

It's tough though, because I almost feel like the organization would want to know going into next season if it is Geno's last season....because FSG will play up the **** outta that for $$$$, and so will teams when he's playing on the road, too.

If this team wants to get back on the playoff trajectory etc etc, him retiring and not being re signed for yet even more time at 40 years old is one of the first steps. I love Geno and love everything he's done here but as with all players and with all things in general ... it's time, it's over. Time to move on. Not being able to do that in general is a big part of why this team is where it is now. There is zero scenario in which I want to see him back after his last year.

[EndO FanEra]

I think he'll play out next season, barring major injury. After that, I think it might greatly depend on the trajectory of the team.

If Dubas has made some significant changes, and the team is trending towards having a shot at a playoff spot, I could see him coming back for another year, possibly even 2 if they keep improving. Like people have been talking about for years, move him to wing to lessen his responsibilities. Geno @ $3M as a middle-6 winger for '26-'27 wouldn't be all that horrible.

However, if the team continues to struggle all of next season, and it looks like it's going to be other year or 2 before we're competitive again, I could totally see him retiring at the end of next season.

Do you think the organization would re-sign him for another year? I'm not so sure. When he signed his current 4 year deal, it was viewed at the time that he gave a bit on a lesser annual salary to have that 4th year. Hextall, it was said, was pushing hard for a 3 year deal.
Unless, he signed for less than 4 million, or a much reduced rate, I don't see them having interest. I think, having watched him play this year, he doesn't have much left beyond next season. I would hate to see him hang on one year longer than he should.

I think if Geno wants to come back, they'll try to make it happen. As long as he's not asking for too much money and is open to sliding down/around the lineup a bit, they would bring him back.

Although, with KD not even talking to Jake or MP about a possible extension, maybe times are changing and they'd be a little more cut-throat. I think Geno is too much of a Pens icon though, and they'll keep him around if he still wants to be here.

Not saying they should, but I think they would. I have mixed feelings on it TBH. I think, even at 40, he could be effective in a reduced role w/ some PP time. That said, and as much as I love Geno, I think his tendency to float around a bit and play nonchalant hockey at times is even more a part of his game these days. I'm sure his age, the length of the season, and the quality of this team all make it difficult to go full speed as often. If we're going to get younger and rebuild to some extent, I think they're going to need to play a more structured system going forward. And I'm not sure Geno would be a great fit for that sort of team.

[Daniel]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last season. I love Geno, but he's beat up with all the injuries and the rigors of the season become more difficult to overcome and endure as he ages.

I think he just said the exact opposite of this.

During the middle of the season.

Wait until the offseason when things slow down and see what happens. I can see Michael's point of view on this.

When's the last time a player retired mid-contract without a severe injury.....probably never.

I think he will come back but the past doesn't make the future. He might look at his legacy, the amount of money he has made, the fact that next year won't be any different in terms of the playoffs and retire. He's his own person and will do as he sees fit.

I'm sure he'll be back, but it won't surprise me if he retires mid contract. The one thing that might bring him back is 20 years with Sid and Kris, that would be quite an accomplishment in modern sports.

[Cow_Master66]

Hopefully he is better on the PP at 40 than he is in his 30s.

[Pens4Life]

Geno in a diminished role beyond next season would be my prediction. However, why? 4th line duty with maybe some Powerplay minutes?

You gotta be kidding right, 4th line duty?? checking line for old Geno hahaha..

I think he will play his last year for sure,then it will depend on team situation, how bad or good we are?!