Wild Report Surfaces About Evgeni Malkin Refusing to Meet With Penguins Media
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Despite assurances from Evgeni Malkin after their last game of the year that he would speak at locker room cleanout day, he was nowhere to be found.
The Pittsburgh Penguins once again failed to claim a postseason spot; they'll have to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs from home for the 3rd straight year.
Following their final game of the year against Alex Ovechkin and the divisional foe Washington Capitals, a 5-2 Pittsburgh win, Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin declined to speak with reporters and said that he would make himself available to the media during their annual locker room cleanout day.
However, today at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, when media attempted to find him for an interview, Malkin wasn't present.
"Reporters surrounded Malkin after Thursday's game against the Washington Capitals. He declined to speak, explaining that he would instead speak the next day.
But Malkin was nowhere to be found Friday."
But Malkin was nowhere to be found Friday."
Penguins insider Josh Yohe went even further, suggesting that next year could be Malkin's last in Pittsburgh.
"He surely would have been asked about his hockey future. Malkin has one year remaining on his contract.
The future Hall of Famer has said he intends to finish out his contract with the Penguins before deciding whether he will retire."
The future Hall of Famer has said he intends to finish out his contract with the Penguins before deciding whether he will retire."
Malkin has 1 year left on the 4 year, $24.4 million deal that he inked in 2022 that carries an AAV (average annual value) of $6.1 million.
He had 50 points (16G, 34A) in 68 games this year; will 2025-26 be his last hurrah in the NHL?
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 19 | 209 ANSWERS Wild Report Surfaces About Evgeni Malkin Refusing to Meet With Penguins Media Is Evgeni Malkin unhappy with the Penguins right now? | ||
| Yes | 166 | 79.4 % |
| No | 43 | 20.6 % |
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