Evgeni Malkin announces his future with Penguins

There was a time where the Penguins were the face of the "new" National Hockey League that emerged after the lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season with young Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the way. But as always, Father Time is undefeated. 

For Malkin, who was convinced to stick around in the form of a new contract given to him by now-former general manager Ron Hextall after it appeared nearly a foregone conclusion that he'd be departing the only NHL team he'd ever known, he's announced how much longer he intends to keep at it.

"Three more years, I hope," the 37-year-old center said last week.

The Penguins, who missed the playoffs for the first time since Sidney Crosby's rookie season of 2005-06, received a jolt with newcomer Kyle Dubas. He's acquired the likes of Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith while adding additional depth in the crease behind re-signed starter Tristan Jarry. 

Malkin had never missed the postseason before this spring, and he's hoping that with the new faces in town, they'll be back in the dance next spring.

"I think we're a stronger team than last year," Malkin said. "I hope we stay together and our goal is the playoffs, be a winner every game."

"Every day I wake up and I read something new. It's so, like, new for me," Malkin said. "We changed a lot this year. I hope it helps the team be stronger, be better. We're not happy with last year, for sure. This organization, owners, coaches, players, we're here to win.

"Last season was very disappointing for us. Now we look forward. It's new teammates, new faces here. We try to be better every day."

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