Five Pittsburgh Penguins Players Who Might Not Be Back Next Season

2. Evgeni Malkin

Next up is another candidate that could leave Pittsburgh in Evgeni Malkin. Malkin like Letang might want a longer deal than three seasons and his best bet to get that would be on a different team. the 35-year-old put up 42 points in 41 games showing he is still an elite star in the league.

Malkin not coming back to Pittsburgh would make sense due to the fact that it would give him control of his own destiny. For so long in Pittsburgh, his name has been brought up in trade rumors, moving teams would give him an opportunity to choose which team he thinks could win and offers the best situation for him.

While bringing back Malkin and Letang might be a goal for the Penguins ownership, doing just that doesn’t guarantee a championship anytime soon as the depth around the stars is what the issue is.