Evgeni Malkin returned from his five-game suspension Monday night with a stellar game against the Colorado Avalanche and after the game, the veteran Penguins center said he and Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas are expected to talk this summer about his contract situation.
After Monday’s 7-2 throttling of the Colorado Avalanche, Malkin spoke at length about his return from being suspended and also addressed his contract situation, but wasn’t able to provide many specifics outside of when the two camps might meet again.
“I can’t say anything,” Malkin told The Athletic’s Josh Yohe.
Malkin said that he and Dubas talked a couple of weeks ago with Dubas telling Malkin the two would talk this summer.
“I’m okay with that,” Malkin said. “We have 15 games left. I hope playoffs. I want to just play.”
Malkin then said he told Dubas he wants to play next year and was told “Don’t worry, we’ll talk after the season” by Dubas.
“I feel great,” Malkin said. “I want to play next year too. Maybe two years. Who knows? Again, it’s just business.”
According to Moneypuck, the Penguins have an 85.3% chance of making the postseason for the first time since 2022, when the team lost to the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.