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Around the NHL: 3 potential Evgeni Malkin free agent destinations, McDavid/Draisaitl call out entire Oilers’ organization
Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin.
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Tingly
May 4, 2026, 09:40 EDTUpdated: May 4, 2026, 09:38 EDT
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Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL, as we’ve hit the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been sent home, same goes for the Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
We’ve entered the second round, and this postseason has been entertaining as ever. The hockey being played throughout each series has been fast paced, high energy, extremely physical, and loaded with big moments. It’s been eye-opening to see the pace of play, and at times I’ve found myself thinking – how in the world would the Maple Leafs keep up in this game? That’s a John Chayka/Mats Sundin problem to worry about now.
While the Maple Leafs have their own news to worry about this week, let’s zone in on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and some other news to follow off the ice heading into the summer. Here’s the very latest from around the NHL:

Evgeni Malkin could have 3 teams on radar if Penguins move on

When Evgeni Malkin wasn’t offered a contract extension last July, he knew this could be his final season as a Pittsburgh Penguin. Kyle Dubas made things very clear in Pittsburgh this season, that while the team was trying to win, they’re also looking to get younger, and faster, which doesn’t bode well for Malkin returning to the Penguins this summer.
The future hall-of-famer is a free agent come July 1, and considering there hasn’t been a contract extension offered at all throughout this season, the two sides appear to be headed for a divorce, which is going to send shock waves throughout the Pens’ organization. Sidney Crosby called Malkin family, and asked to finish out their career together, meanwhile Bryan Rust stated he doesn’t want to play in Pittsburgh if Malkin isn’t a teammate. Will Dubas listen? That’s the question.
If Malkin doesn’t get a contract offer from the Penguins, he’ll be entering a season built off revenge. Don’t be surprised at all to see Malkin jump ship to the Pens’ biggest rival, and sign with close friend Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals. It would be the ultimate heel turn that Malkin could just point the finger at Dubas for essentially pushing him into the Capitals’ arms.
Two other teams to keep an eye on are the Florida Panthers and the Minnesota Wild. The Wild will be in the market for another center this summer, and Malkin and Bill Guerin are very close off the ice, so that’s certainly a team to look out for. Malkin spends some of his offseason in Florida and is very close with Sergei Bobrovsky, so if Goalie Bob re-signs in Florida, and Malkin isn’t offered a deal in Pittsburgh, the two could wind up teammates in the sunshine state.

Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid call out entire Oilers’ organization

The Edmonton Oilers are an average team at best, and that’s coming out of the mouths of their two superstars.
Things got awfully awkward in Edmonton over the weekend, as Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid addressed the media, and opened up about the team’s struggles this season. Both players feel the roster isn’t good enough, and yes, they took some accountability as well, and mentioned both of them need to be more consistent, and level up next season.
Draisaitl was visibly worried about the fact McDavid only has two years on his contract left, and essentially it’s just one season, because if he’s not open to staying, the organization will be finding out in July, 2027, when he’s eligible to ink another extension. Next season is the most important year in Oilers history, if you ask some, as it could be the end of the McDavid era.
Here’s Draisaitl’s media availability, and you can certainly see the concern on his face, and hear it in his voice:
Here’s McDavid’s comments, as he hasn’t been shy to call out management to improve this roster in a major way this offseason:
Expect to see the Oilers try to land another starting goaltender, as things didn’t work out at all with Tristan Jarry, and Connor Ingram is a free agent, and not likely to receive an extension offer. The Oilers would also be wise to try and move off Darnell Nurse’s contract, as he’s set to earn $9.2 million AAV through the 2030 season.

Quick hits from around the NHL

  • The St. Louis Blues are expected to engage in trade talks around Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Binnington this offseason, as the retooling continues.
  • Brady Tkachuk tried to shut down trade speculation that’s been running wild in Ottawa these last couple of weeks, but for many, it sounded a lot like what Quinn Hughes was saying in Vancouver before he was eventually dealt.
  • If Tkachuk is moved this offseason, the teams to keep an eye on include the Blues, Flyers, Devils, Wild and Panthers.
  • Don’t be surprised to see Tom Fitzgerald hired as the Nashville Predators’ next GM.
  • Calgary Flames are expected to be active at the NHL Draft, and could be looking for trade suitors for Blake Coleman, and Johnathan Huberdeau.
  • Buffalo Sabres and the Blues were engaged in trade talks around Robert Thomas ahead of the deadline, but the Sabres wouldn’t part with Josh Norris in the deal.
  • As the Penguins retool on the fly, and likely walk from Malkin, don’t be shocked to see Dubas try to move Rust and Rickard Rakell this offseason.
  • Elliotte Friedman sees the Vancouver Canucks taking a run at signing pending free agent forward Michael McCarron this summer.
  • If the Predators are looking to rebuild instead of retool, Steven Stamkos is expected to be open to a trade, with the Detroit Red Wings being the front runners.
  • Scott Laughton is reportedly looking for a multi-year contract at between $4.5-$5 million AAV.
  • Penguins’ aren’t expected to re-sign goaltender Stuart Skinner.
  • Claude Giroux will likely be re-signing a short-term deal to stay in Ottawa.
  • Mitch Marner came up huge for Vegas in their first-round series, including two goals in their clinching Game 6 victory of Utah. John Tortorella has been very impressed with how much Marner impacts the game in all three zones.
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