Surprising dark horse enters Evgeni Malkin sweepstakes

While fans await to see Evgeni Malkin back in action, since he’s been sidelined since Dec. 4 with upper-body injury, the chatter around is future with the Pittsburgh Penguins has kept swirling around.

Insider Nick Kypreos added a new twist on Wednesday when he reported that the Minnesota Wild could be in the mix to make a pitch to the Russian player in hopes to get him on board for a playoff run.

The Wild, who’s been quite active on the trade block in recent weeks, could have one more move in store.

Though Kypreos is adamant Malkin is the one in charge:

“There are teams that would dearly love to land Evgeni Malkin, though he’s in full control of the situation with a no-movement clause in the final season of his contract. There’s talk of Minnesota GM Bill Guerin laying low in the weeds looking to make another significant trade, and wondering if Russian Kirill Kaprizov can help convince Malkin to join the Wild for a playoff run. If Malkin allows it, expect him to move before the trade deadline.”

The Penguins have been pushing back since the start of the season and could finally return to playoff contention this spring. Malkin has said many times that he wants to retire in Pittsburgh and I feel like he’s going to stay put. But you can’t blame Guerin for wanting to give it a shot.

Malkin, who is in the last of a four-year, $24.4 million contract ($6.1 million average annual value) signed July 12, 2022, has 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 26 games. He’s missed the past 15 games with an upper-body injury, though, he could be back in the Pens’ lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.