Evgeni Malkin upset with recent rumours on his future in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Evgeni Malkin has not changed his mind and sounds sick and tired of having to repeat himself over and over. He made it clear that he doesn’t want to play anywhere else and will retire with the Penguins.

“I know what some people say - like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team,” he told The Athletic’s Rob Rossi on Wednesday. “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.”

If he was to play for his home town back in Russia, Malkin said he’d play one game at most for the KHL’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk, “to say goodbye” at the end of his career.

Malkin still has a year to play out on his current deal with a cap hit of $6.1 million, but he hasn’t decided if he’ll hang up the skates when it expires in 2026. The other two members of the Core 3 in Pittsburgh, and close friends Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are signed until 2027 and 2028, respectively.

So far this season, the Russian forward has put up nine goals and 34 points in 47 games. In 19 campaigns in the NHL, and all with the Penguins, Geno ranks third in franchise history in goals (507), assists (823), and points (1,330), as well as second in games played (1,192). He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the teams, and would probably love to win a fourth one before retiring.

However, the Penguins have not been able to reach the postseasons in the past two campaigns and are on track to do so again. As the 4 Nations Face-Off break comes to an end, Pittsburgh is six points outside of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 23-25-9 record.

While general manager Kyle Dubas is looking at a retooling and acquiring picks, prospects and young players to build a future in Pittsburgh, Malkin has made it clear he will not accept a trade and wants to stay put.

Malkin, who missed the Penguins’ last six contests with a lower-body injury, confirmed that he would be back in action on Saturday, as Pittsburgh’s schedule resumes Saturday against the Washington Capitals.