‘Hope we play together one more year:’ Malkin speaks on future with Penguins as uncertainty remains
CONTINUES RIGHT NOW. AND IT IS. MARATHON WEEKEND IS IN FULL SWING. WE ARE LIVE ALL MORNING LONG WITH THE RACES HAPPENING TODAY LEADING UP, OF COURSE, TO TOMORROW’S BIG EVENT. WE’VE ALREADY SEEN A SHOWER OR TWO ACROSS THE AREA. A FEW MORE WAVES OF SHOWERS DEVELOP AS WE GO THROUGH THIS CHILLY SATURDAY. WE’LL BE BREAKING IT ALL DOWN IN YOUR CERTIFIED MOST ACCURATE FORECAST. PLUS, BREAKING OVERNIGHT. SPIRIT AIRLINES SAYS IT IS ENDING OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS. THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS REMAIN STRANDED NATIONWIDE. COMING UP, WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE FINAL FLIGHT AND WHAT COMES NEXT. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS BOARD THIS MORNING STARTS NOW. AND WE ARE GEARING UP FOR THE 2026 DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON AHEAD OF THE BIG RACE TOMORROW. THERE ARE SEVERAL FUN EVENTS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ON THE NORTH SHORE AND IN POINT STATE PARK. THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. I’M LILY COLEMAN. WE HAVE LIVE TEAM COVERAGE FOR YOU. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED FROM ALL ANGLES THIS MORNING. WE’RE GOING TO START THOUGH WITH METEOROLOGIST JILL SZWED AND THAT IMPORTANT MARATHON WEEKEND FORECAST. IT’S BEEN ALL ABOUT THE CHILL SO FAR TODAY. WE WILL KEEP THAT BRISK FEELING GOING ALL THROUGH THIS MARATHON WEEKEND, BUT ALSO A FEW MORE SHOWERS WILL START TO SHOW UP AS WE CONTINUE THROUGH THIS FAMILY DAY PITTSBURGH MARATHON WEEKEND HERE IN PITTSBURGH. OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW WE’RE COUNTING DOWN TO THE KIDS. MARATHON WILL BE MOSTLY CLOUDY. TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER 40S, INCHING CLOSER TO 50 BY THE PET WALK. BUT THAT’S WHEN REALLY THE COVERAGE OF SOME OF THESE LIGHT SHOWERS WILL START TO PICK UP. AND DON’T FORGET, THE EXPO IS STILL OPEN UNTIL 5:00 AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. TEMPERATURES BY LATE DAY ONLY CLOSE TO 50 DEGREES. DRYING OUT NEAR DOWNTOWN AND ALSO THE NORTH SHORE, BUT STILL SEEING A FEW LITTLE STRAGGLING SHOWERS JUST OUTSIDE OF OAKMONT AND EVEN TARENTUM STARTING TO WORK INTO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. I DON’T EXPECT THAT SHOWER TO LAST MUCH LONGER. A LITTLE BIT OF A BETTER COVERAGE OF SOME LIGHT RAIN STARTING TO BUILD ACROSS BUTLER COUNTY. THAT’S COMING OUT OF CRANBERRY, WORKING UP I-79 TOWARDS DILLON OPAL, ALSO ALONG ROUTE 68, GETTING CLOSER TO, LET’S SAY, PARTS OF BUTLER TOWNSHIP AND EVEN PROSPECT RIGHT NOW. AND THAT RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK TOWARDS THE CITY OF BUTLER AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS 9:00 HOUR. AGAIN, A FEW MORE SHOWERS DEVELOPING AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU’LL NOTICE THE COVERAGE IS VERY HIT OR MISS, BUT STILL SOME BRIEF PASSING LIGHT SHOWERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO GO THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. MOST OF THE ACTIVITY, MOST LIKELY. TIME TO CATCH A FEW OF THOSE SHOWERS WILL BE AFTER NOON TODAY. THEN LATER ON TONIGHT, EXPECT ANOTHER ROUND OF FROSTY, EVEN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. A BRISK START TO MARATHON DAY. TOMORROW WE WILL GET MORE SUNSHINE AS WE CLOSE OUT THE WEEKEND WITH A HIGH CLOSER TO 60 DEGREES. WE’LL ALSO TALK ABOUT MORE RAIN CHANCES IN YOUR 4-DAY PLUS 4 MORE FORECAST THAT’S COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. ALL RIGHT, JOE, THANK YOU. WELL, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE IN DOWNTOWN AND ON THE NORTH SHORE THIS WEEKEND FOR A NUMBER OF RACES, INCLUDING THE FIVE K AND THE KIDS MARATHON. LET’S HEAD BACK OUT TO PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR REPORTER CARLOS FLORES, WHO WAS AT THE STARTING LINE ALL MORNING LONG FOR US. CARLOS 830 WAS THE LAST BIG CORRAL. WE’VE GOT MORE EVENTS, THOUGH, HAPPENING HERE SOON. THAT’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, LILY. IT’S GOING TO GET GOING HERE AT 930. THE KIDS MARATHON, OF COURSE, A CULMINATION OF WEEKS AND WEEKS OF WORK FOR ALL THESE YOUNG KIDS AND ALL COMING TO A HEAD RIGHT HERE TODAY TO RUN THOSE 26.2 MILES IN COMPLETION. NOW, OF COURSE, WE’VE BEEN TELLING YOU AMAZING STORIES ABOUT WHY PEOPLE ARE RUNNING TODAY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT REALLY IS. AND I HAVE ANOTHER GREAT ONE FOR YOU. I’M HERE WITH QUINN AND HER MOM, JULIE, WHO ARE RUNNING THE KIDS MARATHON TODAY. AND OF COURSE, THEY’RE FILLED WITH EXCITEMENT. WHAT MAKES THIS SO INTERESTING IS THAT QUINN HERE ACTUALLY HAS BEEN RAISING MONEY IN THE PROCESS FOR THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION IN HONOR OF HER GRANDFATHER, WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. NOW, QUINN, TALK TO ME. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS? I WANTED TO DO THIS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE OTHER PEOPLE DESERVE TO GET LIKE, MOST OF LIKE THE THINGS THAT, LIKE, OTHER PEOPLE DESERVE. AND I JUST FELT LIKE DOING IT. NO, AND THAT’S, THAT’S A GREAT ANSWER. NOW, WHEN YOU DECIDE TO KNOW THAT YOU’VE RAISED OVER $1,500 TOWARDS RESEARCH, THAT’S A LOT OF MONEY. LIKE TO KNOW THAT IT’S GOING TO GO TO PEOPLE IN NEED OR GOING THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE ALZHEIMER’S. HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE VERY LIKE, GLAD. I’M JUST I’M SURPRISED HOW I ACTUALLY GOT IT UP TO THAT NUMBER. AND TO KNOW THAT IT’S GONNA HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE. AND I KNOW, LIKE YOU’RE DOING THIS IN HONOR OF YOUR GRANDFATHER, HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL, KNOWING THAT YOU’RE HONORING YOUR GRANDFATHER THIS WAY? PRETTY HAPPY. AND EXCITED THAT OTHER PEOPLE GET TO HAVE MORE THINGS THAN LIKE OTHER PEOPLE. AND THEY GET LIKE AN EVEN AMOUNT, AMOUNT OF LIKE OTHER PEOPLE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, AND JUST MAKES ME HAPPY THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GETTING TREATED THE RIGHT WAY THAT LIKE OTHER PEOPLE ARE TOO. THAT’S PERFECT. NOW, NOW, JULIE, TALK TO ME. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION KNOWING THAT SHE’S BEEN ABLE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND JUST BE ABLE TO RAISE AS MUCH MONEY? AT FIRST, IT WAS JUST I WAS FLABBERGASTED BY IT. BUT I’M SO PROUD OF HER, SO PROUD OF ALL THE KIDS THAT ARE RUNNING TODAY. I THINK IT’S A GREAT THING THAT WE’RE DOING. HOPEFULLY THERE’S FIND A CURE SOON AND KEEP RAISING MONEY. EXACTLY. YOU HEARD IT HERE AGAIN. ANOTHER GREAT CAUSE, ANOTHER REASON WHY PEOPLE RUN. AND OF COURSE THEY’RE GOING TO BE DOING THE CHILDREN’S MILE. IT’S GOING TO COME TO A HEAD AND WRAP UP AT POINT STATE PARK. AND THAT’S WHERE WE FIND JORDAN, WHO’S OVER THERE CATCHING UP WITH PLENTY OF THE WINNERS THROUGHOUT THE MORNING. JORDAN, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING THERE NOW? HEY, CARLOS, I’M HERE AT THE TODDLER TROT. IT’S STILL GOING STRONG. WE’RE IN HEAT THREE. THERE ARE A RECORD NUMBER OF TODDLERS PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR. ABOUT 800. BUT I WANT TO STEP TO THE SIDE AND JUST SHOW YOU ALL OF THE CUTENESS HAPPENING. SO YES, HEAT THREE, THERE ARE FIVE HEATS. AGAIN, HUNDREDS OF TODDLERS ARE GETTING TO PARTICIPATE, GETTING TO RUN WITH THEIR MOMS AND DADS AND EXPERIENCE THAT EXCITEMENT OF CROSSING THE FINISH LINE. AND ONCE THEY DO CROSS THE FINISH LINE, THEY GET A LITTLE MINI MEDAL OF THEIR OWN. SO IT’S JUST BEEN SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH. IT’S BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE NOW. LOTS OF KIDS MAKING THEIR WAY DOWN THE TRACK. MOSTLY SMILES OUT HERE, BUT WE HAVE SEEN A FEW PEOPLE, A FEW KIDS WHO ARE CRYING. AND I HAVE TO SAY, I’M RUNNING THE HALF TOMORROW. THAT MIGHT BE ME, SO CAN’T BLAME THEM. BUT OVERALL, IT’S A LOT OF FUN OUT HERE. LILY, WE’LL SEND IT BACK TO YOU KNOW, JORDAN, YOU WILL BE GREAT TOMORROW. WE KNOW IT. JORDAN’S RUNNING THE HALF. CARLOS IS RUNNING THE HALF. WE’VE GOT A NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS RUNNING, SO WE’RE SO EXCITED FOR THEM. NOW HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LINEUP OF EVENTS TODAY. OF COURSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FIVE K THIS MORNING. WE SHOWED YOU THAT AT 730 AS IT BEGAN. THEN THE TODDLER TROT STARTED AT 830. WE ALSO SAW THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAMPIONS MILE. AROUND THAT SAME TIME, A GREAT EVENT IN ITS THIRD YEAR. SO THE NEXT BIG EVENT THAT WE ARE WAITING ON RIGHT NOW HAPPENS AT 930. THAT IS WHEN THE KIDS MARATHON OFFICIALLY BEGINS. AND THEN THE FUN WILL WRAP UP FOR THE DAY WITH THE PET WALK AT NOON. WE TURN NOW TO SOME BREAKING NEWS FOR YOU. THE FORT PITT TUNNEL INBOUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. THIS IS DUE TO AN OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE, SO WE’RE TOLD FROM PENNDOT OFFICIALS THAT DRIVERS SHOULD CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE ROUTES. YOU CAN SEE THAT PURPLE THERE ON OUR MAP. THAT MEANS THAT IT’S CLOSED. THIS IS A LOOK FROM ONE OF OUR PENNDOT CAMERAS. YOU CAN SEE SOME CREWS WORKING IN AND AROUND THE AREA. THE TUNNEL STILL CLOSED. RIGHT NOW. WE’RE WORKING ON GETTING YOU MORE INFORMATION AND A TIMELINE FOR WHEN THINGS COULD REOPEN. BUT AGAIN, PENNDOT OFFICIALS ARE URGING DRIVERS TO CONSIDER ALTERNATE ROUTES. THIS, OF COURSE, ISN’T GREAT, AS THERE IS A LOT GOING ON. SO IF YOU’RE HEADED DOWNTOWN THIS MORNING, YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS THINGS COULD BE A BIT BOTTLENECK AS YOU’RE TRYING TO GET DOWN TO SOME OF THAT FUN. WE OF COURSE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AND LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE TUNNEL REOPENS. MORE ROAD CLOSURES TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THEM CONSIDERING THE MARATHON. AND THEY WILL LAST TODAY AND TOMORROW. SO LET’S RUN YOU THROUGH THOSE. WE KNOW THE BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES IS CLOSED FROM WOOD STREET TO STANWIX STREET, AND THAT WILL BE THE WAY THAT WILL BE IN PLACE. EXCUSE ME, UNTIL THE END OF THE RACE TOMORROW. NOW, TODAY, CLOSURES BEGAN AT 630 FOR THE FIVE K CHAMPIONS MILE AND KIDS MARATHON. THIS IS A LOOK AT THAT MAP. AND THESE ARE MOSTLY LIMITED TO THE NORTH SIDE AND DOWNTOWN. TOMORROW IS WHEN WE’RE REALLY GOING TO SEE THE BULK OF THE CLOSURES. THEY’LL BEGIN AS EARLY AS 130 IN THE MORNING. THIS MAP SHOWS THE FULL RACE COURSE CLOSURES, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT SPANS SEVERAL CITY NEIGHBORHOODS. ANOTHER IMPORTANT REMINDER WHEN IT COMES TO PITTSBURGH’S ACTION TRAFFIC. IF YOU LIVE ALONG THE COURSE, CHECK OUT THE PARKING RESTRICTIONS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS. CARS WILL BE TOWED IF THEY AREN’T MOVED AHEAD OF TIME, SO THAT’S SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND AS WELL. DON’T FORGET, WTAE CHANNEL 4 IS PROUD TO BE YOUR HOME FOR ALL THINGS MARATHON. WE HAVE GOT YOU COVERED. NOW THROUGH TOMORROW WE ARE BRINGING YOU UNPRECEDENTED LIVE TEAM COVERAGE OF THE RACE, TRACKING THE RUNNERS AND THEIR STORIES. YOU CERTAINLY DON’T WANT TO MISS OUR TEAM COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE MORNING. AT 909, WE TURN NOW TO BREAKING NEWS THAT WE’VE BEEN FOLLOWING ALL MORNING LONG. ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, SPIRIT AIRLINES ANNOUNCED IT IS SHUTTING DOWN PERMANENTLY, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THE LOW COST CARRIER HAS BEEN STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AND NEEDED ROUGHLY A HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO STAY IN OPERATION, BUT THAT FUNDING NEVER MATERIALIZED. NOW, THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS ARE STRANDED FACING CANCELED FLIGHTS WITH FEW ALTERNATIVES. HERE’S ABC’S MICHELLE FRANZEN WITH THE DETAILS. AFTER THREE DECADES IN THE SKIES, SPIRIT AIRLINES IS SHUTTING DOWN CEASING OPERATIONS FOR GOOD, FORCING PASSENGERS FLYING IN THE COMING DAYS TO SCRAMBLE. ACTUALLY SHOCKED AT THIS POINT. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS MOMENT. SPIRIT AIRLINES HAD BEEN SEEKING ABOUT A HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID IN EXCHANGE FOR GIVING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT A MAJORITY STAKE IN THE COMPANY, BUT THE TWO SIDES, UNABLE TO REACH A DEAL. SPIRIT HELPED DEFINE THE ERA OF NO FRILLS AIR TRAVEL. ULTRA LOW BASE FARES WITH FEES FOR NEARLY EVERYTHING ELSE, FROM BAGS TO SEATS TO SNACKS, A MODEL THAT’S SPREAD ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. BUT THE BARGAIN CARRIER BUCKLING UNDER YEARS OF PRESSURE. FIRST THE COVID PANDEMIC, THEN COMPETITION FROM LARGER AIRLINES AND, MOST RECENTLY, SURGING FUEL COSTS MORE THAN DOUBLING, PUSHING SPIRIT TO THE EDGE. AND NOW OUT OF THE SKY. I HOPE THE PRICES AREN’T TOO MUCH HIGHER. WHOEVER ELSE I HAVE TO FLY WITH. FOR PASSENGERS SEEKING REFUNDS, THE AIRLINE SAYS TICKETS BOUGHT DIRECTLY WITH A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD WILL BE RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. THOSE WHO BOOKED THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT ARE BEING TOLD TO CONTACT THAT COMPANY DIRECTLY, BUT FOR CUSTOMERS WHO USED VOUCHERS, CREDITS OR LOYALTY POINTS, ANY POTENTIAL REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE DECIDED LATER THROUGH THE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS. THE COMPANY HAS ALSO SET UP A WEBSITE WITH MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SHUTDOWN AND NEXT STEPS FOR TRAVELERS. MEANWHILE, THE AIRLINE SAYS IT WILL TRY TO AVOID ANY MIDAIR DISRUPTIONS, ENSURING FLIGHTS ALREADY IN ROUTE CAN CONTINUE TO THEIR DESTINATIONS. PLANES THAT HAVE JUST TAKEN OFF, HOWEVER, COULD BE TURNED BACK TO THEIR DEPARTURE. AIRPORTS MICHELLE FRANZEN, ABC NEWS, NEW YORK NOW ON ITS WEBSITE, THE AIRLINE IS URGING CUSTOMERS NOT TO HEAD TO THE AIRPORT. THERE’S A SEPARATE PAGE THAT IS DEDICATED TO ITS RESTRUCTURING, AND THAT IS POSTING GUIDANCE FOR TRAVELERS. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE WHO ARE STRANDED HERE AT YOUR DESTINATION NOW, WE HAVE BEEN COVERING THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AT SPIRIT AIRLINES FOR MONTHS NOW. YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, WTAE.COM FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE. WELL, THE PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE WILL REMAIN OPERATING UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP STARTING MONDAY WITHOUT NEARLY 40% OF ITS CURRENT STAFF. THE NEWSPAPER GUILD OF PITTSBURGH SAYS AT LEAST 80% OF FORMER STRIKERS ARE BEING CUT NOW. THE INSTITUTE OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH THAT IT WAS BUYING THE PAPER. THE UNION SAYS JOB OFFERS WENT OUT THIS WEEK, WITH MANY LONGTIME STAFFER
‘Hope we play together one more year:’ Malkin speaks on future with Penguins as uncertainty remains
Updated: 2:10 PM EDT May 2, 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins took a significant step forward this season, returning to the playoffs after a three-year absence.VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 To go deeper than the first round will require another leap. Whether Evgeni Malkin gets a chance to be a part of it is anyone’s guess. Malkin’s included.The Russian star, who is set to become a free agent in July, would like to return to the Penguins for a 21st and almost certainly final season. Yet Malkin also understands general manager Kyle Dubas is trying to build a roster that will make Pittsburgh a perennial contender, and having a future Hall of Fame forward who will turn 40 in August might not be part of that plan.“It’s not easy for Kyle, maybe he wants new blood here,” Malkin said on Friday, less than 48 hours after the Penguins’ bounce-back season ended with a Game 6 loss to rival Philadelphia. “I understand business. I understand he wants maybe a new team, see new faces here.”Dubas, who has spent months being polite but noncommittal while discussing Malkin’s status, enters the offseason with over $45 million in salary cap space. Whether he wants to spend a portion of it on a three-time Stanley Cup winner who is beloved in Pittsburgh but also missed 20 games this season due to injury is uncertain.What’s not is Malkin’s commitment to playing next year, even if it’s outside of the only NHL organization he’s ever known. Malkin finished with 61 points in 56 games after moving from center to wing. He added a pair of goals against the Flyers in a season he described as “not bad.”“It’s a little bit tough,” he said. “But I feel I can play next year for sure.”Malkin, captain Sidney Crosby, and defenseman Kris Letang just finished up their 20th season together, the longest run by a trio of teammates in major North American professional sports. Letang is under contract for two more seasons, while Crosby is eligible for another contract extension this summer.Crosby, the only player in NHL history to average a point a game in 21 straight years, made it very clear his preference would be to run it back one last time with his good friend.“For as long as (Malkin’s) played here, I think he’s been part of setting the standard,” Crosby said. “And just on top of all the experiences we’ve shared, you build that belief and trust and bond, and that’s something you’ve had over the course of time.”Malkin’s future is hardly the only uncertainty the Penguins face. While first-year coach Dan Muse — a finalist for the Jack Adams award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year — won raves for his positivity and meticulous preparation, the league’s third-highest scoring team also sputtered while falling into a 3-0 hole to the Flyers.Though Pittsburgh carried play as the series wore on, it was far too late as Philadelphia’s younger legs won out in the end, though Crosby doesn’t want the bitterness of the way the season ended to blot out all the good things that came along the way.“A lot of guys had career years, I think that’s a reflection of guys’ individual play but also as a group,” he said.The list of players who enjoyed breakout seasons included forward Anthony Mantha, who poured in a career-best 33 goals, and forward Egor Chinakov, who had 18 goals in 43 games after being acquired from Columbus in December.Mantha will be a free agent and figures to be in line for a raise over the $2.5 million he made this season. Chinakov is a restricted free agent, and Pittsburgh would likely match any offer the 25-year-old would receive.Rookie Ben Kindel, all of 18, scored 17 goals, and massive 6-foot-7 forward Elmer Soderblom made an impact after arriving from Detroit.At the NHL level, the goalie situation is unsettled. Stuart Skinner, brought over in a swap with Edmonton in December, will be a free agent, and Arturs Silovs — who backstopped both of Pittsburgh’s playoff wins and nearly stole Game 6 in Philadelphia — will be a restricted free agent.The Penguins have 22-year-old Sergei Murashov waiting in the wings, and he will almost certainly receive every opportunity to claim the starting job when training camp begins in September.It will be four long and likely eventful months until Pittsburgh reconvenes. The club showed tangible proof this year that Dubas’ painstaking organizational overhaul is starting to pay off.The gap between the Penguins and the teams that will take the ice when the second round begins next week is smaller than it was a year ago. Yet it still exists.Malkin would like to be part of the process of narrowing it even further alongside the two men who have become like brothers.“I hope we play together one more year,” he said. “If not, we have had great 20 years together and will never forget.”
PITTSBURGH —
The Pittsburgh Penguins took a significant step forward this season, returning to the playoffs after a three-year absence.
VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4
To go deeper than the first round will require another leap. Whether Evgeni Malkin gets a chance to be a part of it is anyone’s guess. Malkin’s included.
The Russian star, who is set to become a free agent in July, would like to return to the Penguins for a 21st and almost certainly final season. Yet Malkin also understands general manager Kyle Dubas is trying to build a roster that will make Pittsburgh a perennial contender, and having a future Hall of Fame forward who will turn 40 in August might not be part of that plan.
“It’s not easy for Kyle, maybe he wants new blood here,” Malkin said on Friday, less than 48 hours after the Penguins’ bounce-back season ended with a Game 6 loss to rival Philadelphia. “I understand business. I understand he wants maybe a new team, see new faces here.”
Dubas, who has spent months being polite but noncommittal while discussing Malkin’s status, enters the offseason with over $45 million in salary cap space. Whether he wants to spend a portion of it on a three-time Stanley Cup winner who is beloved in Pittsburgh but also missed 20 games this season due to injury is uncertain.
What’s not is Malkin’s commitment to playing next year, even if it’s outside of the only NHL organization he’s ever known. Malkin finished with 61 points in 56 games after moving from center to wing. He added a pair of goals against the Flyers in a season he described as “not bad.”
“It’s a little bit tough,” he said. “But I feel I can play next year for sure.”
Malkin, captain Sidney Crosby, and defenseman Kris Letang just finished up their 20th season together, the longest run by a trio of teammates in major North American professional sports. Letang is under contract for two more seasons, while Crosby is eligible for another contract extension this summer.
Crosby, the only player in NHL history to average a point a game in 21 straight years, made it very clear his preference would be to run it back one last time with his good friend.
“For as long as (Malkin’s) played here, I think he’s been part of setting the standard,” Crosby said. “And just on top of all the experiences we’ve shared, you build that belief and trust and bond, and that’s something you’ve had over the course of time.”
Malkin’s future is hardly the only uncertainty the Penguins face. While first-year coach Dan Muse — a finalist for the Jack Adams award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year — won raves for his positivity and meticulous preparation, the league’s third-highest scoring team also sputtered while falling into a 3-0 hole to the Flyers.
Though Pittsburgh carried play as the series wore on, it was far too late as Philadelphia’s younger legs won out in the end, though Crosby doesn’t want the bitterness of the way the season ended to blot out all the good things that came along the way.
“A lot of guys had career years, I think that’s a reflection of guys’ individual play but also as a group,” he said.
The list of players who enjoyed breakout seasons included forward Anthony Mantha, who poured in a career-best 33 goals, and forward Egor Chinakov, who had 18 goals in 43 games after being acquired from Columbus in December.
Mantha will be a free agent and figures to be in line for a raise over the $2.5 million he made this season. Chinakov is a restricted free agent, and Pittsburgh would likely match any offer the 25-year-old would receive.
Rookie Ben Kindel, all of 18, scored 17 goals, and massive 6-foot-7 forward Elmer Soderblom made an impact after arriving from Detroit.
At the NHL level, the goalie situation is unsettled. Stuart Skinner, brought over in a swap with Edmonton in December, will be a free agent, and Arturs Silovs — who backstopped both of Pittsburgh’s playoff wins and nearly stole Game 6 in Philadelphia — will be a restricted free agent.
The Penguins have 22-year-old Sergei Murashov waiting in the wings, and he will almost certainly receive every opportunity to claim the starting job when training camp begins in September.
It will be four long and likely eventful months until Pittsburgh reconvenes. The club showed tangible proof this year that Dubas’ painstaking organizational overhaul is starting to pay off.
The gap between the Penguins and the teams that will take the ice when the second round begins next week is smaller than it was a year ago. Yet it still exists.
Malkin would like to be part of the process of narrowing it even further alongside the two men who have become like brothers.
“I hope we play together one more year,” he said. “If not, we have had great 20 years together and will never forget.”