Evgeni Malkin Trade Watch: Wild, Oilers and Canadiens Could Fit

Evgeni Malkin’s next move could come down to two questions: whether he’s willing to leave Pittsburgh, and which team can make a deal work under his contract. Minnesota, Edmonton and Montreal each offer a plausible role for the 40-year-old centre, but the Wild appear to have the clearest path if Malkin is open to a change.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are winless in four games, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on The FAN Hockey Show that the roster could change “pretty quickly.” General manager Kyle Dubas is seeking a worthwhile return for his veterans, while some of Pittsburgh’s biggest names have a say in where they might go. The club’s recent stretch gives the discussion urgency, but it doesn’t guarantee a deal.

Malkin is under a one-year contract with a $5.5 million cap hit and has trade protection. Pittsburgh announced the agreement, and TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Malkin is due to submit a three-team trade list in January. That list would matter: any interested club would still need to fit the financial terms and land among the destinations he’s willing to consider.

Minnesota has the strongest early case

Minnesota looks like the most natural fit among the three clubs. Wild general manager Bill Guerin would have interest at the right price, and he already knows Malkin from their time as teammates in Pittsburgh, including the Penguins’ 2009 Stanley Cup win. That history may make a conversation easier, though it doesn’t settle the central questions of price and Malkin’s willingness to move.

Malkin’s experience as a centre could give the Wild another line capable of driving offence. Joel Eriksson Ek’s unit can continue taking on demanding matchups, while Malkin gives Minnesota another option to create chances when its top group needs a different look.

At five-on-five, Minnesota could keep Eriksson Ek between Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, preserving a familiar combination. Malkin could still work with Kaprizov on the power play, giving the Wild another route to get the puck to their winger in shooting areas. The appeal is flexibility: Minnesota could add Malkin’s playmaking without immediately pulling apart a line that already has an established role.

For the Wild, the key calculation is whether that added offence justifies the acquisition cost and cap commitment. The source doesn’t specify a proposed return, so the price remains unknown. Guerin’s reported interest gives Minnesota a head start in the conversation, but Dubas is looking for value, and Malkin’s trade protection gives the player a meaningful part in determining what happens.

Edmonton’s fit depends on the cap math

Edmonton could call if it wants a second-line centre who can generate offence on his own. Malkin would offer another way to arrange the forward group, particularly while the Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing together. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could shift to the wing when needed, giving the coaching staff more options across the top six.

Vasily Podkolzin is another possible fit alongside Malkin. His forechecking could help recover pucks and create time for Malkin to operate below the circles. That pairing is a projection, not a confirmed lineup plan, but it points to the type of complementary role Edmonton could explore if it pursued the centre.

The obstacle is Edmonton’s limited cap space. A deal could require salary to go back to Pittsburgh as well as salary retention, adding moving parts to a short-term addition. The Oilers would need to decide whether Malkin’s potential role is worth those costs when they already have the option of separating McDavid and Draisaitl. Without reported contract details beyond Malkin’s cap hit, the precise path to making the numbers work is unclear.

Montreal could offer a role behind Suzuki

Montreal’s case starts with a straightforward depth chart fit. Malkin could slot behind Nick Suzuki and give the Canadiens another experienced centre. If Ivan Demidov is healthy, a pairing with the fellow Russian winger could be intriguing: Demidov can carry the puck into the offensive zone and draw defenders, while Malkin could look for openings in the coverage.

That combination could also give Demidov an experienced centre beside him during a playoff run. Still, Montreal would have to judge the value of spending on a short-term answer at centre. The source doesn’t report a Canadiens offer or confirm the club’s level of interest, so this remains a potential fit rather than a developed negotiation.

Each destination presents a different draw: Minnesota has reported interest and a connection through Guerin, Edmonton has a clear second-line need but little cap room, and Montreal could offer Malkin a role behind Suzuki. The Wild currently have the strongest case, especially if Malkin includes them on his January list. Whether that interest turns into a call to Dubas will depend on the player’s preferences and a return Pittsburgh considers worthwhile.

Next: Kings GM Talks Trade Plans For Drew Doughty, Has Anything Changed?

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