Evgeni Malkin would prefer not to leave the only NHL team he’s ever known, but he will if he has to.
Two days after the Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Philadelphia Flyers, the 39-year-old Malkin reiterated on Friday that his No. 1 preference is to stay in the Steel City.
But if that doesn’t happen, he’s open to putting on a different coloured jersey for the first time in his career.
“I want to play in the NHL for sure, but I know it’s not easy for (Penguins GM Kyle Dubas),” Malkin said at the team’s end-of-season availability. “Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it’s a business. I understand he wants maybe a new team, see new faces here. For me, I want to play one more year in the NHL. I’m not looking (to go) back to KHL, play in Russia. But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some (NHL) team.”
Malkin is a pending unrestricted free agent this summer after spending his entire 20-year career with the Penguins.
He said a big reason why he wants to return to Pittsburgh is to play another season with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang, both of whom are under contract for next season.
“It’s a special two guys for me. A lot played together,” Malkin said. ‘We’re not happy we lost, but we tried to fight every game. Sometimes you lose, but, again, these two special guys, I hope we play together one more year, but if not, I have great 20 years together. Never forget it.”
Despite being limited by injuries this season, Malkin was still a big reason why the Penguins were able to make a surprising return to the post-season. In 59 regular-season games, Malkin scored 19 goals and dished out 42 assists.
“Couple injuries, it’s a little bit tough. I feel like I can play next year for sure,” Malkin said. “I want to rest two, three weeks and start to work out right away. I want to come back stronger next year. I still want to play hockey. It’s the best game in the world, and just have fun, enjoy the game.”
Crosby, Malkin’s long-time partner in crime, would also love another season together.
“We’ve played together so long,” Crosby said Friday of Malkin and Letang. “I think it’s clear I’d love to be playing with them for longer. So we’ll see what happens, but yeah, I think it’s obvious at this point I’d love to keep playing with them.”
As far as his own playing future, the 38-year-old Crosby said he’s taking it “year-to-year.”
The Penguins captain is under contract for one more season, and explained Friday he will “wait and see” on a potential extension.