Next season will be Evgeni Malkin’s last with the Penguins, the latest on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Canada and the USA are among the nations to reveal their starting six players for the 2026 Olympics, and more in today’s NHL Afternoon Headlines.

PENGUINS NOT EXPECTED TO OFFER AN EXTENSION TO EVGENI MALKIN

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reported the 2025-26 season will be Evgeni Malkin’s last with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The club is not expected to offer the 38-year-old center a contract extension.

Malkin has one season remaining on his four-year contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He has repeatedly stated that the Penguins are the only NHL team he wants to play for.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

Yohe noted that Malkin remained a productive player this season, with 50 points in 68 games. However, he’s a far cry from the dominant player he was a decade ago.

In his prime, Malkin helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2015 and 2016. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009 as playoff MVP, the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2012, and the Art Ross Trophy in 2009 and 2012.

Yohe also pointed out that Malkin hasn’t been the same skater since undergoing two reconstructive surgeries to the same knee.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was perceived when Malkin signed his current contract that it would be his last in the NHL. Whether he wants to continue his NHL career elsewhere is unknown. He could conclude his playing career in his native Russia or hang up his skates for good.

Malkin’s future could be determined by his performance this season. Another 50-plus point effort could entice him to continue his NHL career. If his production declines again, he could decide his playing days are over.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers hope their Stanley Cup nerves are behind them when they face off on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Cup Final. Last year, the Panthers held a 3-0 series lead over the Oilers but struggled to contain their nervousness, losing the next three games before winning Game 7.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was different last year because the Panthers were poised to win their first-ever Stanley Cup. This time, they’re defending champions and in a better place mentally to deal with the nerves.

SPORTSNET: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said he’s at the best he’s felt since returning from the lower-body injury he suffered in the 4 Nations Face Off tournament in February. He missed the remainder of the regular season, returning to action in the Panthers’ opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk admitted he’s had some “ups and downs” during this postseason, but he’s tied with Sam Bennett as the Panthers’ points leader with 22 points. He has the same number of points as he had at the end of last year’s playoffs.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers captain Connor McDavid said he’s not letting the pressure of trying to lead his team to the Stanley Cup get to him. “I don’t think about it that way,” he said. “If you think about it that way, you’d probably be pretty crippled in terms of how you prepare and how you play.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Panthers, the Oilers have been in this position before. Nevertheless, it’s still a hefty burden for McDavid as his team’s captain and being the NHL’s biggest star. They’ll need him at his absolute best if they hope to overcome the 3-2 series deficit.

TSN: Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wasn’t on the ice for Monday’s practice with his teammates. He’s been battling an injury in this series. Meanwhile, goaltender Stuart Skinner was in what was the starter’s net the last time the Oilers practiced in Florida.

IN OTHER NEWS

IIHF: Canada, the United States, and Germany were among the nations that qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey tournament to reveal their first six players named to their respective rosters.

Canada’s “starting six” includes Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers).

Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) and Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) were revealed for the United States.

Germany’s first six players include Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators), Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings), Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken), Nico Sturm (Florida Panthers) and Lukas Reichel (Chicago Blackhawks).

Nikolaj Ehlers (Winnipeg Jets), Frederik Andersen (Carolina Hurricanes), Lars Eller (Washington Capitals), Oliver Bjorkstand (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Jonas Rondbjerg (Vegas Golden Knights) are among the NHL players named to Denmark’s Olympic squad.

Slovakia’s six players include Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens), Martin Fehervary (Washington Capitals), Erik Cernak (Tampa Bay Lightning), Tomas Tatar and Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils) and Martin Pospisil (Calgary Flames).

St. Louis Blues forward Alexandre Texier and former NHL player Pierre-Edouard Bellemare are among the first six named to France’s roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “starting six” for Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland and Latvia was revealed earlier on Monday and duly noted in yesterday’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Winger Andrew Mangiapane won’t be signing a contract extension with the Washington Capitals and will become a UFA on July 1.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings signed goaltender Pheonix Copley to a one-year, $775K contract.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders hired Ryan Bowness as assistant general manager and director of player personnel.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames named Peter Hanlon as their new assistant GM. He was vice-president of communications for years.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Long-time NHL player agent Steve Reich died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 64.

Reich’s former clients included Hall of Famers like Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Tom Barrasso, Chris Chelios, Luc Robitaille and Scotty Bowman. He also represented Scott Gomez, Daniel Briere, Kevin Stevens, and Brad Stuart, and was the signing agent on Vincent Trocheck’s current contract with the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Reich’s family, friends, colleagues and clients.