Speculations around Evgeni Malkin joining Panthers continue

Unplanned ups and downs are part of hockey. Every time a recession happens, rumors and searches for saviors arise. Even though Evgeni Malkin is an active player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, some behind-the-scenes discussions have him joining the Florida Panthers. Why is the 2007 Calder Trophy winner (best rookie) at the center of the rumor mill, yet again?

As of today, not a single Florida Panthers forward or defenseman sits in the Top 10 NHL rankings. While individual stats aren’t as vital as team efforts, the Cats’ troubles were predictable. The season started without Matthew Tkachuk, Tomas Nosek, and Aleksander Barkov. In mid-October, Dmitry Kulikov sustained a shoulder injury that will sideline him for about five months.

The back-to-back champions have consistent roster updates due to minor injuries, debuts, and absences for personal reasons. It’s an everlasting cycle. But let’s analyze why, along the way, there is a rumor that the Panthers are considering pursuing a three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, and 2017) and two-time Art Ross Trophy winner (2009 and 2012), Evgeni “Geno” Malkin, to replace Sasha Barkov.

While the veteran forward has ties to the Sunshine State, Malkin has repeatedly stressed that he wants to spend his entire NHL career with the Penguins and get another chance to win the Cup. In February, Malkin commented on his potential retirement after the 2025- 2026 season on the Hockey on the Beach podcast. He said in his native Russian that a decision will depend on his health and overall well-being. He wants to make sure he can contribute, not just hold a roster spot. Nine months later, Malkin became a subject of trade rumors after Aleksander Barkov’s injury.

Is it the only reason why information circulates about Gino’s possible move to Florida?

Malkin owns a real estate property in the Miami area and partially lives in Florida off-season. His friend from his teen years, Max Ivanov, is the Panthers’ skills coach. Ivanov often skates with injured and reserve players and helps the Cats with daily on-ice drills. He initially worked with the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning two Stanley Cups with them in 2016 and 2017, and then added two more with the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025. Paul Maurice had a brief coaching stint in Malkin’s hometown of Magnitogorsk in 2012-2013. So, they worked together in the KHL. That’s Malkin’s Florida bond.

But knowing how much he loves Pittsburgh and being a franchise player, it’s hard to imagine that he will leave before his contract expires at the end of this season. Malkin and his partners, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang, have been playing together in the Penguins’ uniform for almost 20 seasons. It’s an outstanding achievement for any major sport.

The 39-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins star comfortably shared the first all-points leading position with Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) and Nick Schmaltz (Utah Mammoth) and led the NHL in assists (13) until Oct.28. All three center forwards collected 16 points in the first three weeks of the ongoing season. His team is currently second in the Eastern Conference with seven wins in 11 games. The Panthers are well behind in ninth place with five wins.

Malkin can be a great playmaker and has had 105+ points three times in his previous 19 NHL years. But Geno’s defensive abilities haven’t been his strongest side. He recorded -24 in 2024-2025, -12 in 2022-2023, -10 in 2021-2022, and -25 in 2018-2019.

Let’s face it, Paul Maurice loves it when players are defensively reliable and check hard, like Brad Marchand. So, when the rumors started to swirl around after the captain’s injury, Maurice was precise in his reaction.

"I know there’s the idea of next man up, I get all that, but there’s not a next man for his skates."

Paul Maurice

Aleksander Barkov is one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. It’s practically impossible to replace him or the amount of work that he does for the team. His plus/minus has been good for six consecutive seasons, while logging at least 58 points in that period. He hasn’t appeared in all 82 regular-season contests since 2018-2019 due to injuries or COVID-19 restrictions. But it didn’t stop him from winning two Stanley Cups and the Selke and the King Clancy trophies in 2025.

He was a Selke finalist four times in five years, winning three awards. Per his father, Aleksander Barkov Sr., Sasha liked to work with a puck and control it without solely focusing on scoring goals since his childhood.

The Panthers hosted the Penguins on Oct.23. Malkin assisted on two of Sidney Crosby’s power-play goals. The visiting team won 5-3. Paul Maurice praised Malkin’s performance and hard work. His comments added more fuel to previous speculations on Geno’s possible trade to the Panthers.

Evgeni Malkin is focused on the Penguins' success. He has a no-move clause on his 4-year $24.4 million deal that will expire in July 2026, according to PuckPedia. So, it will be impossible to make any arrangements without Malkin’s approval. At the pace he is going right now, the veteran forward is ready to extend his NHL career. Maybe that will give the Panthers hope for the next season. If the Penguins do not make it to the playoffs and the Panthers do, Malkin’s hockey move to South Florida would look realistic. It’s not the case right now.

As for the Cats, who enjoyed a three-game points streak at home, every night is a challenge and an opportunity to grow without Barkov and Tkachuk.