With the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the offseason after a brief return to the postseason, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 53 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until future seasons — with the organization.

Starting with veteran Noel Acciari and going on through to prospect Bill Zonnon, every player will be profiled in alphabetical order.

This series is scheduled to be published every day until June 24, two days before the start of the NHL Draft. In the event of a transaction, that schedule will be altered as necessary.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Puckpedia.)

Evgeni Malkin

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Age: 39

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 213 pounds

2025-26 NHL regular season statistics: 56 games, 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists), 17:36 of average ice time per contest

2025-26 NHL postseason statistics: Six games, three points (two goals, one assist), 17:56 of average ice time per contest

Contract: In the final year of a four-year contract with a salary cap hit of $6.1 million. Entering a one-year contract with a salary cap hit of $5.5 million. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2027.

(Each of Malkin’s contracts contains no-movement clauses. His new contract also has a modified no-trade clause, which calls for him to submit a list of three teams he would accept a trade to by Feb. 1. Additionally, his new contract contains various performance bonuses that can total $3.5 million.)

Acquired: First-round draft pick (No. 2 overall), July 26, 2004

This season: Evgeni Malkin was in search of a new contract and he didn’t waste much time pursuing it as the 2025-26 season opened.

Centering a massive line that included wingers Justin Brazeau (6-foot-6, 232 pounds) and Anthony Mantha (6-5, 240), Malkin helped set a tone for the team in the season-opener by setting up Brazeau for the team’s first goal during a 3-0 road win against the New York Rangers on Oct. 7.

Malkin maintained a steady offensive pace from that station, generating 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in his first 26 games of the season.

Perhaps his signature performance of the season came in that 26th game. If nothing else, it proved to be pivotal in how Malkin’s season unfolded.

During a 4-3 road win against Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 4, Malkin had two goals — including the winning score late in regulation — and an assist.

But he suffered an injury to his left shoulder in that contest and was sidelined for the next 15 games.

The ailment never seemed to fully heal for the duration of the season and even prompted Malkin to change positions. By the time he was activated from injured reserve and rejoined the lineup by Jan. 9, Malkin was moved to the left wing, in part to spare him some wear and tear on his damaged shoulder.

After three games at left wing, Malkin eventually maneuvered to the right wing and largely started there for the remainder of the season. Much of that service time came on a line with Tommy Novak at center and fellow dynamic Russian Egor Chinakhov on the left wing.

The low point of Malkin’s season came on March 5 during a 5-1 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres when he slashed Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head, earning a five-game suspension.

Malkin rejoined the lineup on March 16 and buoyed the Penguins to one of their most impressive wins of the season, a 7-2 road win against the powerful Avalanche, by providing two goals and an assist.

Malkin, who missed five of the team’s final 12 games of the regular season due to various health woes, made history on April 4 during a 9-4 win against the Florida Panthers when he became the oldest player in franchise history to record a hat trick at 39 years and 247 days of age.

With the Penguins back in the postseason for the first time since 2022, Malkin wound up being the team’s leading goal-scorer (tied with forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Kris Letang) in a first-round loss to the Flyers over six games, but was unable to record any offense in the final three games of the series.

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On May 26, Malkin signed a one-year contract extension with the Penguins, ensuring he would play a 21st season for the franchise.

The future: Malkin, who turns 40 on July 31, will have the benefit of a fairly lengthy offseason and the opportunity to heal up all the bumps and bruises he accrued over the past season, giving him plenty of runway to have another productive season.

But how exactly will that season unfold?

A return to center doesn’t appear to be in the cards as Malkin found ways to generate offense from the wing and the Penguins seem to have some more desirable, internal options (i.e., younger and healthier) to play middle-six center roles in — some order — Ben Kindel, Tommy Novak and Tristan Broz.

Perhaps the biggest question regarding Malkin is his place on the power play. Malkin’s play during man-advantage scenarios was far from dominant and his booming one-timer — a signature of his career — isn’t nearly as intimidating as it was a decade ago. Perhaps his shoulder injury lessened his shooting ability, but regardless of the reason, he isn’t quite as threatening in that capacity.

Malkin will be a member of the Penguins in 2026-27. Anything beyond that is a matter of speculation, but his new contract offers him plenty of motivation to extend his career further.

Performance bonuses will reward him for reaching certain barriers for games played in the regular season, reaching the playoffs and winning playoff rounds. Presumably, strong play will allow him to collect those bonuses and provide him with opportunities beyond next season.

As has always been the case, Evgeni Malkin will find a way to endure.