Penguins Veteran Voices Frustration, Sends a Clear Message to Teammates

As Evgeni Malkin approaches the sundown of his brilliant NHL career, pivotal decisions about his future face the veteran Pittsburgh Penguins star. Having appeared in more than 1,000 contests and in possession of a resume that will surely make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer, this 38-year-old forward now finds himself at the business end of his career. His contract expires in two seasons, and Malkin will consider his future as he nears the age of 40. As much as Malkin loves playing hockey, major concerns include the pain in his body and uncertainty over the future of the team.

Moving into his second decade as a Penguin, Evgeni Malkin is still fueled with a competitive fire in his belly that is hard to find elsewhere. He has said continuously that he wants to use his last ice years and has made it crystal clear: he wants to get back into the playoffs. After two unsuccessful seasons, where the Penguins have not been in a position to qualify for the postseason since 2022, Malkin's patience is wearing thin. Of course, this frustration became even more plausible as his career has been filled with Stanley Cup championships and individual accolades. Missing the playoffs now, in these twilight years, was not how Malkin saw it playing out for him.

In an interview with The Athletic's Josh Yohe, Evgeni Malkin spoke candidly about his future, saying that it has bothered him more than he'd like to admit when the Penguins have been unable to lock up a postseason spot the last couple of seasons. For a player who has consistently risen to the occasion on hockey's greatest stages, Malkin's pre-retirement wish is obvious: one more deep playoff run. While he did not outright ask for a trade, the tone of his comments indicated that if the Penguins do not right the ship soon, he could try to find a new opportunity to fulfill that last ambition.

Even with all the struggles of his team, Evgeni Malkin remains confident in himself. After overcoming a bunch of serious injuries in his career, including multiple ACL surgeries, Malkin keeps on going above and beyond expectations. Despite those setbacks, his production has scarcely suffered a hiccup, and he is still one of the more pivotal assets on the ice. On Thursday night, Malkin reached a major milestone by notching his 800th career assist, a mark reached by just the 34th player in NHL history. He is also within spitting distance of 500 career goals and 1,300 points, plateaus which would further cement his status among the game's all-time greats.

As Evgeni Malkin approaches the final chapters in his career, he's secure in the knowledge that he will be remembered as one of the most dynamic players to have played in the NHL. But perhaps it's not complete until he gets one last shot at playoff glory. Whether it's in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, Malkin's hunger for success and his passion for the game will surely drive his final seasons. Over the course of the next two seasons, much will be decided on whether Malkin finishes his career in black and gold or moves his talents to a team ready to contend for another Stanley Cup.