Hockey analysts have been filling up the internet and airwaves with discussion over potential landing spots for Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby. Perhaps more attention for such a scenario should be paid toward Crosby’s longtime teammate.
As the 38-year-old prepares to enter the 21st season of his Hall of Fame career with the team that took him with the first pick of the 2005 draft, speculation continues to grow that Crosby could use his significant clout, not to mention his no-trade protection, to orchestrate a move sending him to a Stanley Cup contender. National pundits point to Pittsburgh’s ongoing futility – with no postseason play in three consecutive seasons and no series win since 2018, and little hope for improvement in the near future – to feed the narrative that Crosby will seek one last Cup chase as his playing days wind to a close.
Recent comments from Crosby’s agent Pat Brisson only added to the buzz, suggesting that the potential for Crosby to end up with a different team is “always a possibility.” Crosby has done his best to quash the craziness, telling reporters how much it means to him to stay in Pittsburgh.
“The relationships I’ve formed here. The memories. The teammates. The fans. Go down the list,” he said. “I’m so grateful and thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to play here as long as I have. Anyone who knows me knows that the city means a lot to me, how special it is.”
But while Crosby has tried to quiet the noise, another lifelong Penguins center and future Hall of Famer recently fueled the fire over his possible plans for the future.
Evgeni Malkin Acknowledges Potential for Trade Out of Pittsburgh
Evgeni Malkin, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft, is a few weeks away from the start of his 20th NHL season, all with the Penguins. But where Crosby has two seasons remaining on his current contract, Malkin is entering the final season of a four-year, $24.4 million deal, spurring a bevy of questions over where he will be next season, if he is still playing at all.
Like Crosby, Malkin has indicated his preference would be to retire as a Penguin. But unlike Crosby, Malkin didn’t shoot down the idea of waiving his no-trade clause and accepting a move to a different team, citing the recent Cup-winning exploits of another NHL graybeard.
“We see a story like Brad Marchand, it’s looking good,” he said. “But, if a team trades you, and you [don’t] win [a] Cup, it’s a little bit weird, too. We’ll see what’s going on in the future. But of course, everybody wants to try to play in the playoffs, and maybe [get] one more run for the Cup. It’s a great story when you see it on TV, but I don’t know how I feel if the team wants to trade me.”
Malkin doesn’t sound like someone who has a foot out the door. Even at 39, he remains invested and interested in playing beyond this season.
“(If) we play great, I play great, I mean, (if) I feel confidence from my game, why not one more?” he asked. “This season is huge for the team and for me. And again, I’m still hungry. I’m glad to be here this year … It’s exciting to see what’s going on this year.”
But there’s also stable acknowledgment: the Penguins have missed the playoffs three years in a row, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be buyers at the trade deadline. The organization under GM Kyle Dubas seems committed to a methodical reset rather than rushing veteran crescendos.
A Late-Season Trade Could be Best for Evgeni Malkin & the Penguins
Here’s where it gets real: Given the convergence of factors — Malkin’s age, one season left on his deal, team underperformance, and his own willingness to consider all options — trading him could be the right move. It might even be the only move that honors both the past and the present.
First, there’s a trade-deadline window. If the Penguins find themselves out of contention midway through 2025-26, keeping Malkin purely out of loyalty may leave them with nothing: a depreciated asset that walks away free when the contract ends, or even retires. If, instead, Pittsburgh trades him while he still has trade value, they could acquire assets — younger players, picks, or prospects — who align better with the long-term rebuild. It’s a way to leverage Malkin’s name, skill, and reputation for something meaningful rather than sentimental.
Second, for Malkin himself, the option to seek a contender could allow a final push toward another Cup, something he’s clearly thinking about. He’s shown he still cares deeply about team success and about doing everything he can this season. Getting moved to a contender, should Pittsburgh falter, would give him that chance — potentially in a top-six role, possibly even power play work that a younger contender might covet, knowing his experience still brings value, even if his prime years are past.
Finally, it isn’t just about winning. A trade could also relieve some pressure — the expectations of a 20-year tenure, the comparisons to Crosby, the question of how many more years, how many more points. Malkin has earned the right to decide his own narrative. If Pittsburgh can build around its young core and accept this transformation, trading him could be a graceful way both sides walk forward.
In the end, maybe the best compromise is one that isn’t either/or, but “if it’s my last year, let me give everything I have here — and if circumstances demand, let me chase that last run someplace else.” That seems to be where Malkin is mentally. The team deserves clarity; the fanbase deserves respect; and Evgeni deserves the option to close out a deep, storied career on his own terms.
The question isn’t just where Malkin will be this time next year. It’s whether Pittsburgh will let the story write itself — or choose to shape its final chapter.
Pittsburgh Icon Faces Choice That Could Alter His Final Chapter