Overview

• An NHL executive told James Murphy that Montreal, Tampa Bay, and Florida checked on Evgeni Malkin’s availability, and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas responded with a hard no.
• Malkin, 39, is in the final year of his contract with a full no‑movement clause, and both he and Sidney Crosby have not asked out despite ongoing speculation.
• Dubas intends to revisit Malkin’s situation after the Olympic break, pointing to the post‑break stretch through the March 6 trade deadline as the realistic window if anything changes.
• Penguins winger Bryan Rust became movable when his no‑trade clause expired on July 1, and he acknowledged he could be dealt while expressing a desire to remain in Pittsburgh.
• Columbus forward Yegor Chinakhov, who requested a trade earlier in the summer, says he is open to staying after meeting with coach Dean Evason, while reported Oilers interest faces cap and injury‑history hurdles.