Evgeni Malkin is returning to the only NHL home he’s ever known.
Next season will be Malkin’s 21st in Pittsburgh, where he’s won three Stanley Cups. It will also be the 21st straight year that Malkin has played alongside Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang, the longest run by a trio of teammates in major North American professional sports.
Crosby, the only player in NHL history to average a point a game in 21 straight years, made it very clear his preference would be to run it back one last time with his good friend.
“For as long as (Malkin’s) played here, I think he’s been part of setting the standard,” Crosby said. “And just on top of all the experiences we’ve shared, you build that belief and trust and bond and that’s something you’ve had over the course of time.”
Malkin also previously said he hoped to return to Pittsburgh.
“I hope we play together one more year,” he said. “If not, we have great 20 years together and never forget.”
Malkin is coming off a solid bounce-back year, finishing with 19 goals and 42 assists in 56 games. His season helped the Penguins return to the playoffs after a three-year absence, but Pittsburgh was eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in Round 1.
For his career, the Russian star has 533 goals and 874 assists in 1269 games with the Penguins. He was selected by the Penguins second overall in the 2004 draft behind Alex Ovechkin.
The Penguins entered this off-season with over $45 million in projected salary-cap space. However, another key forward in Anthony Mantha, who enjoyed a bounce-back season of his own, is also set to hit the market if not re-signed before July 1.
–with files from The Associated Press
