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    Penguins GM Kyle Dubas speaks out on speculation surrounding Evgeni Malkin’s future

    Gossip
    Runfyers
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    Kyle Dubas tried to calm speculation surrounding Evgeni Malkin after the Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs.

    Malkin’s future has become a talking point in Pittsburgh with the veteran forward set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after finishing the final season of his four-year contract.

    Speaking after the season, Dubas said the Penguins are still in discussions with Malkin and his agent, J.P. Barry, about a possible return.

    “We had a great exit interview with Evgeni directly, and great conversations with him and his agent J.P. Barry,” Dubas said in a statement shared by the Penguins on X. “So we would love to have him back, and we continue to work with J.P. on it.”

    Dubas also dismissed the idea that re-signing the 39-year-old would get in the way of younger players earning roster spots.

    “We would love to have him back,” Dubas said, according to a Penguins reporter.

    Kyle Dubas, on Evgeni Malkin: “We would love to have him back.” Said he doesn’t feel like Malkin is blocking any younger players out. He had a great exit interview with Malkin directly, and subsequent discussions with his agent. They’ll keep talking.

    The veteran center recorded 19 goals and 42 assists in 56 games and has already said he plans to continue playing next season.

    Malkin has spent his entire NHL career in Pittsburgh and is widely expected to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame after retirement.

    Kyle Dubas says Penguins still have “a long way to go”

    Kyle Dubas also admitted the Pittsburgh Penguins still are not close to where the organization wants to be despite returning to the playoffs this season.

    Pittsburgh returned to the playoffs after missing out for three straight years, but the team’s run ended in the first round with a 4-2 series loss to the Philadelphia Flyers after falling behind 3-0 in the series.

    Dubas acknowledged the team showed progress at times during the season but said it still was not enough to be considered a true contender.

    “Good team. At times, we flirted with becoming very good,” Dubas said. “Ultimately, well short of where we aspire to be, and that’s a contender.”

    Dubas also said it became obvious during the playoffs how much ground Pittsburgh still has to make up compared to the league’s top teams.

    “We have a long way to go,” he said. “I don’t kid myself with that.”

    The season also marked the 20th year that Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang played together, the longest-tenured trio in North American professional sports history.

    Dubas added that the organization still saw progress under first-year head coach Dan Muse despite the early playoff exit.