Evgeni Malkin comes clean on rumors surrounding his Penguins future

Recently, NHL insider Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive reported that this will be Evgeni Malkin's final season in the NHL. The Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Malkin has opened up on the rumors surrounding his future in the NHL.

Although Evgeni Malkin has two years left on his deal, Madden said Malkin will go to Russia to end his career at home.

“I’ve been told (Malkin) won’t be back after this year — that he’ll go to Russia and forgo the last year of his deal,” Madden said. “How does that impact Sid? Does Sid know? I bet he does."

Malkin responded to that report which he says is not true.

“Not true,” he said to The Athletic.

Evgeni Malkin plans to honor his contract, which has two years remaining and pays him $6.1 million per season.

Last season, Malkin recorded 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points in 82 games. It was a down year for the Russian star, who is 38 years old.

---

Insider wonders if Pittsburgh will trade Sidney Crosby

Evgeni Malkin wasn't the only Penguins player who was the subject of rumors.

Sidney Crosby is entering the final year of his contract and Madden wonders if Pittsburgh will look to trade Crosby.

“If he doesn’t sign the contract and they start the season with him being a pending free agent, it just makes the season a mess from the beginning of training camp,” Madden said.

“I don’t want to see ‘Madden says trade Crosby.’ Because I’m not. I’m just saying that if Sid creates these heightened circumstances we’re discussing, well, that would be an extreme time. It might call for an extreme measure. But I do not see it coming to that.” (per Sportsnet Pittsburgh)

Although Crosby wants to be a Penguin for life, Madden thinks Pittsburgh may move him if Crosby asks for it, as it seems unlikely the Penguins will be competitive next season.

Pittsburgh failed to make the playoffs last season, which was disappointing after the Penguins went out and traded for Erik Karlsson last season.