The long grind of the NHL season has come to an end for the Pittsburgh Penguins after their round one loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. As is tradition, the players met with the media to discuss their thoughts about the recently concluded season.
It was a fun season and one which saw the team overachieve pretty much every single public expectation of the team. Not only did they shatter their standings points over/under, they were so good that they earned home ice advantage in the playoffs after putting up 98 standings points.
While it was a feel good season, losing in the first round still isn’t the objective, especially against the Flyers in the way it played out. With that result come some tough questions.
Evgeni Malkin’s future
The big elephant in the room is Evgeni Malkin’s status moving forward. His contract is expiring and he has yet to be offered a new one from Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas.
My thoughts are been consistent and stern on this topic. I think it is an embarrassing look for the franchise and Dubas that this deal hasn’t been struck yet. Despite his advanced hockey playing age, Malkin was over a point per game during the regular season and was tied for the Penguins lead in goals during the playoffs (2). He can still play at an acceptable level and his teammates adore him.
Malkin clearly feels he can still play in the league and for the first time ever publicly, he has stated he is willing to play for an NHL team that is not the Pittsburgh Penguins.
I do not understand the hesitation by management. Evgeni Malkin is not a hindrance for the salary cap. He is also not blocking any younger players or prospects from a lineup spot. There is literally no reason to not bring him back and that is even before you get into his legendary status with the team and how he should be able to call his own shot with this deal.
If you’re Kyle Dubas you know you need to try to build off this season. Sure, you aren’t going back to trading futures for short term solutions for older veterans, but you have to keep making progress. So how do you replace Malkin’s production without giving up valuable futures or a higher cap hit? Well, the actual answer is that you can’t. So what are we doing here?
For the love of God…
SIGN HIM
Recognition for Dan Muse
It is never easy to be a rookie head coach in the NHL. Given that these jobs are recycled over and over and over again to the same 25ish people at any given time you need to make your mark when you get your first crack at it. Dan Muse did that and then some.
He took a perceived lottery team and not only earned a playoff spot with home ice advantage, but made the team watchable and fun again. After all, this is an entertainment product. It was enjoyable to watch the Penguins again this year. Muse played a huge role in that. He understood the roster that he had and allowed the players to play to their strengths. It is a simple concept, but one the previous bench boss was either unwilling or unable to do.
Muse’s work wasn’t just noticed in Pittsburgh. His work is being highly recognized league wide. A big congratulations is in order because Muse is a finalist for the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year.
It is well deserved and one of the players who benefited the most from Muse agrees. Here is Erik Karlsson on his new coach
I predict that Lindy Ruff will actually win the award, but it is a great accomplishment for Muse to be a finalist in his first ever year in the league as a head coach. It is also very impressive he did it when his team’s save percentage wasn’t among the best in the league, which is usually the kind of thing present with coach of the year finalists.
Goaltending moving forward
The trade to acquire Stuart Skinner (along with Brett Kulak and a 2nd round pick) from Edmonton in exchange for Tristan Jarry was an excellent move by Kyle Dubas. Skinner is a capable NHL goaltender and by all accounts a great person to have in the locker room.
He also has a checkered playoff history which led to Edmonton looking to move him. Skinner lost his starting job in the 2026 playoffs in Pittsburgh when Arturs Silovs took over starting duties for games 4-6. Silovs played outstandingly. He had a .939 save percentage and lost Game 6 even though he only allowed a single goal.
Silovs apparently did this while being injured
It would explain why the month of March was not his best work during the season.
Big picture, I would move forward with Silovs and let Stuart Skinner hit free agency. Skinner is what he is and I don’t think he is ultimately the guy you want in your net during a playoff run. I don’t think there is much more to learn about him and how he plays in the league.
With Silovs, he has a track record of playing well in high pressure situations. I thought he had good stretches during the regular season. Now with the knowledge he was playing through injury during March it alleviates some of the criticism I would normally have for him.
Sergei Murashov should be with the NHL team next season. He put in his time in the AHL and he has had a tremendous season down there. It’s time to take the next step. Thus, Silovs or Skinner has to go. I would move on from Skinner given the situation.
Other quotes
Here are other quotes from the players from today:
Next up will be hearing from Kyle Dubas about the season and what lies ahead
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Tagged: nhl, Pittsburgh Penguins