Evgeni Malkin's future takes center stage for Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins did not go away without a fight, but it is a long way back from a 3-0 series deficit, and they simply ran out of magic in their 1-0 Game 6 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night. That loss eliminated them from the playoffs, sending them into a fascinating offseason that has some major questions.

The biggest of those questions: What happens with Evgeni Malkin?

Evgeni Malkin's future takes center stage for Penguins

Malkin has been a significant part of the Penguins' core for more than two decades, playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang since the start of the 2006-07 season. No trio of teammates in North American sports history has spent more time together on one team, and their list of accomplishments is unmatched for their era.

All three players are Hall of Famers, while they combined to win three Stanley Cups for the Penguins.

They are now closer to the end of their careers.

Crosby will be 39 next season.

Letang will be 39 as well.

Malkin will be 40. 

Crosby and Letang remain under contract with full no-trade protections on their deals, while there is virtually no chance Crosby ever goes anywhere other than Pittsburgh. The question is about Malkin, who is no longer under contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Penguins have put off extending his contract, and there is a sense that management may be ready to start turning the page on this core and going in a different direction.

Malkin is still productive offensively, but is limited defensively and switched positions mid-way through this season to account for that. 

Crosby spoke about what it has meant to play alongside Malkin and Letang for so long following Wednesday's game.