"Numerous agents have told me that, after conversations they’ve had with Penguins general manager Ron Hextall, they believe it’s unlikely that Evgeni Malkin is returning to Pittsburgh. Some people I’ve spoken with in the Penguins organization feel the same way."

While Malkin has in the past suggested he could accept less money to stick around ("I'm not thinking about money. I'm a pretty rich guy," he said in December)