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Evgeni Malkin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvgeni Malkin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins franchise icon Evgeni Malkin reiterated on Friday that he wants to return to the only team has played for in the NHL, that he wants to continue his journey with 20-year teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. He also said something plenty newsworthy.<\/p>\n
Asked if he wants to play for another NHL team if the Penguins don\u2019t re-sign him, he was definitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Up to this point, Malkin had maintained he wanted to retire as a Penguin.<\/p>\n
A pending unrestricted free agent, Malkin said he would speak with Penguins president\/general manager Kyle Dubas later Friday. Malkin\u2019s agent, JP Barry, and Dubas are expected to discuss the hulking forward\u2019s future after the season \u2014 which technically means anytime. The Penguins exceeded expectations during the season to finish second in the Metropolitan Division but then lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the first round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n
This was the first time Malkin, who turns 40 this summer, indicated he might sign elsewhere if things don\u2019t work out with the Penguins.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to play in the NHL for sure, but I know it\u2019s not easy for Kyle. Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it\u2019s a business. I understand he wants maybe a new team, see new faces here. For me, I want to play one more year in the NHL. I\u2019m not looking (to go) back to KHL, play in Russia. But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some (NHL) team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked what he thinks might happen<\/a>, Malkin didn\u2019t have any answers.<\/p>\n \u201cHard to say right now, but we have time,\u201d he said of how things might shake out. \u201cIt\u2019s a long summer. I\u2019ll just do my same routine \u2014 back to Russia, stay with my family and my friends. We\u2019ll see what \u2018s going on. But right now, nothing new.\u201d<\/p>\n Malkin, who was limited to 59 games because of injuries, still topped a point-per-game average, with 19 goals, 61 points. Along the way, he moved from his tradition spot of second-line center to second-line right wing, mostly with center Tommy Novak and winger Egor Chinakov.<\/p>\n \u201cCouple injuries. It\u2019s a little bit tough. I feel like I can play next year for sure,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to rest two, three weeks and start to work out right away. I want to come back stronger next year. I still want to play hockey. It\u2019s the best game in the world, and just have fun, enjoy the game.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain, (being in) the playoffs, it means so much. Crazy emotions. I want to play one more year for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if signing a new contract with the Penguins would mean agreeing to a slightly diminished role<\/a>, Malkin said he would be amenable to that.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine if I start at wing next year,\u201d he said. \u201cIf the coach wants me and I can help, second line, play wing, it\u2019s fine. Nothing changed for me crazy. A little bit. I think it worked. This year I played not bad playing with Tommy and (Chinakhov). We\u2019ll see what the coach wants from me. \u2026 For me, it\u2019s no problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Like many, Malkin gave the Penguins mixed reviews for their season.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a great season. Tough playoffs,\u201d Malkin said. \u201cWe feel we deserved a little better, but I feel we played very well. \u2026 But of course we\u2019re not really happy, lost in the first round. But I want to say thank you to everyone \u2014 coaches, staff, they did a great job all year long.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s tough to talk right now after losing, but, again, I think the season was good because we stepped up from last year. We hope next year we play better.\u201d <\/p>\n Next season. Despite his uncertain status with the Penguins, Malkin peppered his interview on \u201cbreak-up day\u201d with references to 2026-27.<\/p>\n Malkin expressed gratitude for being able to experience the playoffs once more with Crosby and Letang.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I want more,\u201d he said, cracking a smile. \u201cIt\u2019s a different emotion when you play in the playoffs. The fans are crazy. The first game against Philly in warmup, it was probably 18,000 already (in PPG Paints Arena). I want to play again for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n And he would like to do that with Crosby and Letang, who are under contract for next season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a special two guys for me. A lot played together,\u201d Malkin said. \u201cWe\u2019re not happy we lost, but we tried to fight every game. Sometimes you lose, but, again, these two special guys, I hope we play together one more year, but if not, I have great 20 years together. Never forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019ll also never forget Pittsburgh and the Penguins.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s special for me, for my family. My son was born here. It\u2019s not just hockey. It\u2019s the city, the fans. It\u2019s friends. It\u2019s lots of memories here. I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: Evgeni Malkin<\/a> kyle dubas<\/a> Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> Shelly Anderson<\/a> <\/p>\n