Malkin reaffirms dedication to Penguins: 'When I retire, it's here'

Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Evgeni Malkin once again made it clear that he doesn't want to play anywhere else.

"I know what some people say - like, I go back to Russia and play for my home team," he told The Athletic's Rob Rossi on Wednesday. "But I never say it, you know? I retire with Pittsburgh. The Penguins are my team. I love this team.

"When I retire, it's here."

Malkin said he'd play one game at most for his hometown club, the KHL's Metallurg Magnitogorsk, "to say goodbye" at the end of his career.

The 38-year-old has one more year remaining on his current deal with a cap hit of $6.1 million, but he hasn't decided if he'll hang up the skates when it expires in 2026. Longtime teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are signed until 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Malkin has chipped in with nine goals and 34 points in 47 contests this campaign, his 19th in the NHL. He ranks third in franchise history in goals (507), assists (823), and points (1,330), as well as second in games played (1,192). The future Hall of Famer has won three Stanley Cup championships with the club (2009, 2016, 2017).

The Penguins made the playoffs in the first 16 seasons of Malkin's tenure, but they fell short the past two campaigns and are on track to do so again.

Pittsburgh entered the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off six points outside of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 23-25-9 record. The team has a 3.4% chance of qualifying for the postseason, according to MoneyPuck.

Malkin missed the Penguins' last six contests with a lower-body injury, but he confirmed Wednesday that he's ready to return, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby.

Pittsburgh's schedule resumes Saturday against the Washington Capitals at 3 p.m. ET.