
What a ride it’s been for Malkin and the Pens
The Pittsburgh Penguins had the worst record in the NHL in 2003-04 but failed to win the draft lottery and ended up with the second overall pick. Lucky enough, they ended up with one of the best “consolation prizes” in NHL draft history by being in position to select Evgeni Malkin on this date now 21 years ago in 2004.
What a journey it has been since then. Malkin stayed in Russia for two seasons, then literally made his escape in order to realize his dream of playing in the NHL. In his book ‘King of Russia: A Year in the Russian Super League’, Dave King (which, highly recommended if you want a fun summer hockey read, by the way) shares plenty of stories about a young, ambitious Malkin during the 2005-06 season.
“I knew he’d take the NHL by storm,” King wrote of Malkin. “He was just so consistent in our league. He wasn’t the sort of guy who’d have a great night and then give you nothing for the next two games. Game-winning goals, game-winning assists – he was huge. If a game was hanging in the balance, he’d elevate his play. Some players go the other way – they can’t handle the pressure of the moment”.
King wrote a lot more about how coachable Malkin was, and how a young Malkin was in awe of the professionalism of the NHL players he saw when he got to participate in the 2006 Olympics.
Despite the Metallurg brain trust putting pressure on Malkin to stay another year in Russia, Malkin decided to take his future in his own hands and walk away from his team and make the jump to Pittsburgh in 2006-07. Malkin would score 85 points in 78 games as a rookie on way to winning the Calder trophy and there was no turning back after that. Malkin has had a career that would go onto see three Stanley Cups, two scoring titles, one Hart and Conn Smythe and an endless amount of fun along the way.
Malkin turns 39-years old this summer and there are reports that 2025-26 could be his final one — if not in the NHL then in Pittsburgh as they look to get younger. That may or may not be official or premature, but even if it’s not confirmed, there’s no doubt the end is way closer than the beginning. But instead of dwelling on the inevitability of the end, no matter when it may come, it’s been a very long and very amazing ride to witness the entirety of Malkin’s career so far.
And, hey, it’s not over yet. Malkin is hard at work for what comes next — which for him and many other Russian stars like Alex Ovechkin and Artemi Panarin is the charity NHL vs. KHL game in Moscow in July. It even looks like Malkin’s BFF Ilya Kovalchuk is going to lace up the skates again for the exhibition, despite his recent retirement.
Those who call Malkin an “old man” should watch this video. Evgeni prepares for the Match of the Year together with Kovalchuk pic.twitter.com/ptClqllDh7
— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) June 21, 2025
Not bad considering someone born on the day he was drafted is now legally allowed to purchase alcohol.