Penguins and Evgeni Malkin expected to discuss a contract extension

General manager Kyle Dubas and Malkin's agent J.P. Barry plan to sit down before Wednesday to aggressively discuss a potential contract extension that benefits everyone involved.

The 39-year-old icon is currently playing out the final months of an expiring deal carrying a hefty $6.1 million cap hit.

Passionate local fans simply cannot imagine the legendary forward wearing anything but black and yellow after 20 unforgettable years in the exact same locker room.

Missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons sparked intense speculation about breaking up this historic championship core, with pundits wondering about a total rebuild.

But the Penguins are currently surging back toward the Eastern Conference postseason picture, proving this veteran group still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

Over his NHL career, the towering Russian superstar built a massive reputation for single-handedly dominating opponents on the man advantage and delivering clutch playoff performances.

He admittedly struggled defensively last season, posting a miserable -24 rating while collecting a respectable 50 points across 68 games.

He completely turned the page this year, bouncing back with incredible offensive output while operating above a point-per-game pace through 41 grueling contests against tough divisional opponents.

His elite transition game remains a massive asset, consistently creating controlled entries when the top six desperately needs a sudden spark.

Inside reports suggest he is entirely willing to take a significant pay cut on a new, team-friendly one-year agreement.

Signing strictly through the 2026-27 campaign perfectly aligns his upcoming contract with Sidney Crosby's final season currently on the books.

Walking away together feels like the only acceptable ending, because management runs the terrifying risk of losing a legitimate franchise legend for nothing in free agency.

Nobody in the front office wants to see him held scoreless in another city during his final lap around the show, playing in an unfamiliar jersey.

Expect both sides to prioritize solid execution at the negotiating table and get this sweetheart deal finalized before the puck drops again.