Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin Has a Crucial Role Beyond Scoring

Evgeni Malkin turns 40 today, but the most meaningful story about this milestone birthday has little to do with his age. Malkin remains productive enough to help the Pittsburgh Penguins on the ice. He recorded 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games last season before signing a one-year, $5.5 million extension. But management did not bring him back because of his history. President of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas also emphasized the veteran’s influence on Russian-speaking teammates Egor Chinakhov, Arturs Silovs and Ilya Solovyov.

A recent Penguins report featured Malkin’s leadership, detailing the dinners, outings and group conversations he organized throughout the season. He has also spent part of the offseason training in Russia with new forward Andrei Kuzmenko.

Malkin’s scoring will still matter during his 21st NHL season, but his ability to make teammates feel comfortable could matter just as much for an organization attempting to integrate new players while transitioning toward a younger core.

Malkin’s Leadership Became Tangible Last Season

Veteran leadership can be an empty description based only on age or accomplishments. Malkin’s influence is easier to identify because his teammates described specific ways he has helped them adjust.

Dubas said Pittsburgh’s Russian-speaking players “speak openly about the impact that he’s had on them.” Malkin invited the group to dinners at home and during road trips, helped organize activities away from the rink and created an environment in which teammates could discuss more than hockey.

Arturs Silovs, a Latvian goaltender who speaks Russian, said it provided something similar to a “family feel,” which explains why the time together carried more significance than a normal team dinner. Players arriving in a different city are learning a new organization, earning a role and adjusting to life away from their established support systems. Malkin gave them a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar environment.

He helped start a group chat after the team acquired Chinakhov and Solovyov, and the players used it to make plans during road trips, allowing them to communicate naturally, relax away from the rink and build relationships that might have developed more slowly through team activities alone.

That explains why management viewed Malkin’s one-year extension as more than a sentimental decision. His 61 points justified another contract from a hockey perspective, but his off-ice value gave the organization another reason to retain him during a period of significant roster turnover.

Malkin Understands the Adjustment Better Than Most

Malkin is particularly equipped for the role because he experienced many of the same challenges when he arrived in Pittsburgh in 2006. He entered the NHL at 20 after leaving Russia under complicated circumstances, spoke limited English and had to adjust without his family nearby. Former Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar became an essential source of support, providing translation and a home for Malkin.

An article about Malkin’s humor and personal legacy explained how Gonchar helped him navigate everything from team routines to life in a new country. That assistance did not make Malkin successful by itself, but it removed some of the uncertainty surrounding him and allowed his personality to emerge gradually. Malkin is now providing similar support to the next group.

He cannot eliminate the pressure of earning an NHL role, but he can help a player avoid feeling isolated while confronting it. He understands how language can change someone’s comfort level inside a dressing room and how much easier difficult moments become when there is a teammate capable of explaining the organization’s expectations.

That perspective gives Malkin a leadership function different from Sidney Crosby’s. Crosby establishes the Penguins’ standard through preparation, consistency and responsibility. Malkin can reinforce those expectations while also connecting directly with players whose backgrounds resemble his own.

Penguins’ Russian-Speaking Players Faced Different Challenges

Malkin’s support was valuable because Chinakhov, Silovs and Solovyov did not arrive in identical situations. Chinakhov joined Pittsburgh in December after the Penguins acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Danton Heinen and two draft picks. The 2020 first-round selection needed a fresh start after injuries and an uncertain role disrupted his development in Columbus. The Chinakhov trade announcement established the cost of the move, but Malkin helped make the transition more personal.

He responded with 18 goals and 36 points in 43 games last season before earning a three-year contract this summer. Signing both restricted free agents, Chinakhov and Silovs, in July showed that both players have become important parts of the Penguins’ immediate plan, even though they enter 2026-27 with different levels of security.

Silovs arrived from the Vancouver Canucks with postseason success but without an established NHL starting role. When Pittsburgh acquired him, they were betting on his upside rather than proven full-season stability. Malkin helped provide familiarity while Silovs attempted to claim the crease.

Ilya Solovyov faced another challenge. The Belarusian defenseman arrived in a January trade with the Colorado Avalanche and had to earn minutes within a crowded blue line. Pittsburgh acquired him as a depth addition, meaning every game carried pressure to prove he belonged.

Malkin could not guarantee any of them ice time. He could make sure they did not navigate those situations alone, which gave the Penguins a stronger environment for evaluating whether each player fit.

Kuzmenko Arrives With a Built-In Connection

Andrei Kuzmenko will join the team with a relationship already forming. The Penguins signed him to a one-year, $5 million contract after he recorded 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games for the Los Angeles Kings last season, and are betting that his net-front skill and scoring history can help replace part of Anthony Mantha’s production. But he must also adjust to another organization after playing for four NHL teams since 2024.

The early connection, training with Malkin in Russia, does not guarantee chemistry or a productive season, but it should help Kuzmenko enter camp with a better understanding of the personalities, expectations and daily environment awaiting him.

The contract announcement focused naturally on his offensive ability, but his relationship with Malkin could become part of the support system that allows Pittsburgh to access it. Kuzmenko will still have to earn a top-nine role and power-play time, but he will now begin that process with an established connection inside the dressing room.

Malkin may also understand the type of offensive situations in which Kuzmenko is most comfortable. Both developed in Russia before moving to North America, and both have relied on creativity around skilled linemates. Even if they do not play together regularly, Malkin can help Kuzmenko adjust to head coach Dan Muse’s system and the demands attached to playing in Pittsburgh.

Penguins’ Transition Makes Malkin More Valuable

The Penguins are no longer built on a stable supporting cast surrounding Malkin, Crosby and Kris Letang. Dubas has added younger players, short-term contracts and reclamation projects in an attempt to remain competitive while changing the roster beneath its veteran core.

That approach creates more movement inside the organization. Players arrive from different teams, compete for uncertain roles and may not know how long they will remain with the team. The roster can become deeper without becoming connected unless established players help integrate the new group.

Malkin gives the Penguins continuity without requiring every new player to assimilate in the same way. His work with Chinakhov, Silovs and Solovyov showed that leadership can be tailored to individual teammates rather than delivered only through speeches or formal meetings.

That influence could also extend toward younger players outside the Russian-speaking group. Malkin has experienced elite success, serious injuries, changing roles and contract uncertainty. He accepted time on the wing last season after spending most of his career at center, demonstrating that even a franchise legend needs to adapt as the team changes.

The Penguins’ five breakout candidates entering 2026-27 will need opportunity and patience to become meaningful pieces. Malkin can help establish an environment where younger players feel supported without lowering the expectations attached to their development.

Malkin’s Value Now Extends Beyond Points

The Penguins still need Malkin to produce. He helped Pittsburgh return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, and the forward group would be more difficult to organize if his offense declined sharply. But his role is no longer measured through goals, assists or power-play production. Malkin has become a cultural bridge between the roster Pittsburgh built around its championship core and the players Dubas is adding for the next stage.

Chinakhov found a productive fresh start. Silovs became more comfortable while establishing himself in goal. Solovyov received support while fighting for a permanent role, and Kuzmenko will arrive after already spending part of the offseason with Malkin.

Those relationships will not decide games. They can help players settle quickly enough to perform when the games begin. At 40, Malkin remains capable of creating offense. The Penguins may need his ability to create belonging just as much.