Two-time Olympic champion Igor Kravchuk has weighed in on the possibility of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin returning to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Malkin’s current contract with the Penguins runs through June 30, 2026, and the Russian star has previously stated his intention to play one more season in the NHL.
When asked about notable developments from the past week, Kravchuk highlighted the growing speculation surrounding potential homecoming tours for both Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin – returning to their original clubs for a farewell stint. “It’s a beautiful narrative – finishing a brilliant career where it all began. However, even in their late 30s, both Ovechkin and Malkin have had strong seasons overseas. The decision is ultimately up to the players, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they choose to stay in the NHL for another season under these circumstances.”
On the question of which player has a higher chance of returning, Kravchuk noted that Dynamo Moscow has been openly waiting for Ovechkin for years, while Magnitogorsk has made similar statements about Malkin. He added that many factors will influence their decisions, ranging from family considerations to coaching dynamics.
When asked about the coaching factor, Kravchuk elaborated: “Regarding Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the situations with Evgeni Kuznetsov and Yegor Yakovlev did not go unnoticed in professional circles. One can argue endlessly about who was at fault – the players or the coach, whether it was a personal issue or purely hockey-related. But the cold, hard fact is that star players will now think twice before joining Andrei Razin’s team.”
In contrast, Kravchuk pointed to Kuznetsov’s experience with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. “There, Viktor Kozlov managed to find common ground with a difficult player, and Kuznetsov led Ufa to the second round of the playoffs. His incredible last-second goal against Yekaterinburg was a standout moment of the entire postseason, alongside the Radulov-Shalunov duo’s two goals in the final minutes of the game in Omsk. So the coaching factor will definitely come into play for stars of Malkin’s caliber. The stories of Kuznetsov and Yakovlev could potentially slow down his return to his hometown club.”
