Malkin Suspended Five Games, Forfeits Pay After Slashing Rasmus Dahlin
Evgeni Malkin will miss five games and forfeit $158, 854. 15, money that will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Friday at 12: 00 p. m. ET the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced the discipline for a play involving Rasmus Dahlin.
Evgeni Malkin suspended five games and ordered to forfeit $158, 854. 15
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced a five-game, unpaid suspension for Evgeni Malkin tied to an incident in NHL Game No. 977 in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 5. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on Malkin’s average annual salary, he will forfeit $158, 854. 15, with the money directed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Rasmus Dahlin struck 0: 35 into the second period; penalties assessed
The play occurred at 0: 35 of the second period, when on-ice officials assessed penalties that included a minor for cross-checking, a major for slashing and a game misconduct for Malkin. Video shown by media outlets captured Malkin and Rasmus Dahlin in contact near the side of the Buffalo net; Dahlin was penalized for cross-checking and Malkin received the major penalty and ejection from the game.
NHL Department of Player Safety hearing set for 6: 00 p. m. ET and Malkin’s prior discipline
TSN published that Malkin was scheduled for a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety at 6: 00 p. m. ET over the phone. That phone hearing format limits any suspension to no more than five games. The 39-year-old forward has been suspended twice previously in his career: one game in 2019 for high-sticking and four games in 2022 for cross-checking.
Still, the disciplinary action carries immediate roster consequences: Malkin’s five-game absence reduces the Penguins’ veteran forward depth for the coming schedule and removes his availability for the next five matchups. The loss of his presence will be in place for the duration of the suspension and the forfeited pay will be redirected to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund as noted by the league.
That said, the league’s description of the play noted that Malkin was not off-balance and that the contact was not accidental; video highlighted strikes to Dahlin’s helmet and shoulder. Officials in the game also recorded off-setting minor penalties for cross-checking, and Malkin was given a five-minute major penalty plus a 10-minute game misconduct at the time of ejection.
What could change the outcome: the scheduled hearing with the Department of Player Safety. The next confirmed event is the phone hearing set for 6: 00 p. m. ET on Friday, March 6, 2026. If the hearing upholds the Department’s findings, the five-game suspension and the $158, 854. 15 forfeiture will remain in effect for Malkin.
