Penguins insider predicts if Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin will be traded during 2025-26 season

For different reasons, Pittsburgh Penguins icons Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to be the subjects of trade rumors ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. 

For a mailbag published on Thursday, Penguins reporter Josh Yohe of The Athletic revealed that he believes Crosby "isn’t going anywhere" after agent Pat Brisson suggested that his client could request a trade before or after the upcoming campaign. 

Will Evgeni Malkin request a trade this winter?

"I’d also be surprised if Evgeni Malkin were to be dealt," Yohe continued. "It’s possible. Malkin’s comments last week were very interesting. He was pretty vulnerable in discussing the reality that he isn’t quite sure what he’ll do if another team comes calling."

Yohe was referencing how Malkin recently teased that he could follow in the footsteps of Brad Marchand if a contender calls the Penguins about the three-time Stanley Cup champion's services ahead of the trade deadline. Malkin is in the final year of his contract and seemingly isn't close to receiving an extension from Pittsburgh. That said, Yohe noted that questions about what the 39-year-old has left in the tank could keep teams from giving the Penguins anything of value for Malkin. 

Malkin tallied 16 goals and 50 points in 68 games last season. 

Why did Sidney Crosby's agent make his controversial comments?

Veteran wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell have also repeatedly been mentioned in trade rumors, as the rebuilding Penguins probably aren't just one additional offseason away from being part of postseason conversations. For a piece posted on Wednesday, Yohe shared that Rust wants to be a Penguin for life. 

"I sense that Brisson probably would have handled some things differently if he could turn back time," Yohe responded when asked if the agent's comments had anything to do with the unsettled futures of Rust and Rakell. "But I also think Brisson will be very unhappy if the Penguins trade Rakell or Rust. I don’t think there’s much question that Sidney Crosby won’t be thrilled if either of his wingers leaves town. ...No one wants to make Crosby unhappy. It’s not an easy situation for anyone." 

Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas vowed that he will "do what’s right for the Pittsburgh Penguins regardless of any sort of commentary or things that are said in the media." While Crosby and Malkin have no-movement clauses attached to their deals, it could be interesting to see what happens if Dubas determines that acquiring assets for the Penguins legends is what's best for the organization's future.