Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are both pending unrestricted free agents. Pittsburgh made the 2025-26 playoffs after a roster overhaul credited to GM Kyle Dubas, who is working with a cash-strict budget, according to Dreger.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are both pending unrestricted free agents. Malkin returned to the Penguins on a one-year, $5.5 million deal for a potentially final NHL season.
Crosby is 39 years old and playing in his 22nd NHL season. Last season he posted 74 points in 68 games. He signed his most recent contract, a two-year extension worth $8.7 million per season, on Sept. 16, 2024.
The Penguins qualified for the playoffs in 2025-26, with GM Kyle Dubas credited with a roster overhaul. Dreger said Pittsburgh has new ownership but the focus remains on getting younger. He also said Dubas is working with a cash-strict budget, not just the NHL's salary cap.
