Kyle Dubas on Evgeni Malkin: “We’d love to have him back”
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) wait on the bench to take a shift during the second period in Game Five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 27, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas met with the media on Tuesday for his annual end of season press conference. We’ll have more on the entire message later, the big question and the first one asked of Dubas was about the status of Evgeni Malkin.
Malkin is a free agent on July 1 and has made no secret of his desire to return to the Penguins in 2026-27. Less clear has been the Pens’ management position on the future of the soon-to-be 40-year old center on a team that has made their desire clear to get younger. Kyle Dubas, on Evgeni Malkin: "We would love to have him back.
" Said he doesn't feel like Malkin is blocking any younger players out. He had a great exit interview with Malkin directly, and subsequent discussions with his agent. They'll keep talking.
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) May 12, 2026 Dubas later mentioned how Malkin’s shift to the wing successful in the second half of the season was a factor in helping him have a season where he registered 61 points in 56 games this season. Dubas indicated that he had a great exit interview with Malkin and has had some discussion with the player’s agent. Time will tell the final outcome, based on these comments it might just be about crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s to get that contract wrapped up and have Malkin return for a 21st season.