Evgeni Malkin shocks everyone at camp with two unexpected admissions!

For much of the summer, the story around Evgeni Malkin was that the 2025–26 season would serve as his unofficial farewell tour. At 39 years old and entering the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, many assumed this would be the last time fans would see “Geno” in black and gold.

After all, Malkin has accomplished nearly everything imaginable in his Hall of Fame career: a Calder Trophy, a Hart, a Conn Smythe, three Stanley Cups, and nearly two decades of highlight-reel dominance. If this was the end, no one could argue he hadn’t done enough.

But things may not be so simple. Speaking ahead of the new season, Malkin revealed that his focus isn’t on goodbyes, it’s on proving he can still perform. “I want to have a good year with the Penguins,” Malkin said. “And if I do, I hope I get a chance to play one more year here.”

That statement changes everything. Instead of a sendoff, this season might be the start of a new chapter, or at least an extension, for the Russian star.

However, Malkin is also aware of the possibility of moving to a contender for another shot at a championship. He went on to stun again when he said he’s thought about Brad Marchand winning a Cup in Florida, and said no-movement clause could conceivably be waived.

Malkin enters the campaign just 54 points shy of the 1,400-point milestone. If he reaches it, he would further cement his legacy among hockey’s legends.

The bigger question now: could fans see Geno back in Pittsburgh beyond 2026 or even in another uniform in the NHL? There is a feeling that he wants to finish his career as a Penguin. What remains to be seen is whether the organization feels the same way, or if Geno will be swayed to move elsewhere for another shot at the Stanley Cup.