Penguins hope veteran core ushers in 2026 success with Crosby, Malkin in twilights

There was some doubt whether GM Kyle Dubas would bring future Hockey Hall of Fame center Evgeni Malkin back for another year at age 40, despite a resurgent campaign in which he scored 19 goals and totaled 61 points in just 56 games in 2025-26.

The two sides agreed to a one-year deal in May, though, that will give Malkin one more chance alongside long-time teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang , with whom he's hoisted the Stanley Cup three times.

Together, they'll look to bounce back from a first-round playoff loss to the cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers .