Reliable Source Confirms Superstar Forward Set to Retire Following the 2025-26 Season

With the Pittsburgh Penguins currently in the midst of a rebuilding season, there has been a lot of talk about Sidney Crosby's future with the organization, however there does seem to be a resolution coming for his partner in crime, Evgeni Malkin.

According to a recent report from Penguins beat-writer, Josh Yohe, the 39-year-old centre could be bidding farewell at the end of the 2025-26 season. While not officially confirmed from Malkin himself, the franchise icon had been mulling retirement in recent years.

The Magnitogrosk native has enjoyed quite the career up to the point. He enters the 2025-26 season with 514 goals and 1,346 points in 1,213 regular season games. Additionally, Malkin has added 67 goals and 180 points in 177 post-season games.

Drafted 2nd overall, only to Alexander Ovechkin, back in 2004, Malkin has spent his entire career with the Penguins and has helped the franchise claim 3 Stanley Cups along the way. He won the Conn Smythe back in 2009 when he scored 14 goals and 36 points in only 24 games en route to their first cup.

Malkin had also won the Calder Trophy in 2007 as the best rookie of his class, 2 Art Ross' as the league's leading scorer, a Lester B. Pearson as voted by the players, a Hart Trophy, and has 3 All-Star nominations.

While at times he was overshadowed by the greatness of Crosby, when the captain went down due to injury, Malkin stepped up to the plate, especially in 2011-12 when he captured the league MVP, Art Ross, and the Pearson for his efforts.

It sure sounds like his 20th season will be the final one in the NHL but he surely won't be forgotten. Malkin is essentially a lock for the Hall of Fame when he will be first eligible and will always be revered as a franchise icon alongside Crosby, Mario Lemieux, and Jaromir Jagr.