Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Evgeni Malkin

Discover the career path of Evgeni Malkin, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Evgeni Malkin, nicknamed "Geno", is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He plays centre and serves as alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. Malkin began his career with Metallurg Magnitogorsk before being drafted second overall by the Penguins in 2004. After resolving transfer disputes, he began playing in the NHL in 2006. He's considered one of the greatest players of the modern NHL era and a key component of the Penguins' success.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1917: Modern NHL record of scoring in each of first six games

Evgeni Malkin set a modern NHL record when he scored a goal in each of his first six games. No player had achieved this feat since the NHL's inaugural 1917–18 season, when Montreal Canadiens forward Joe Malone scored at least one goal in 14 consecutive games.

1985: Mario Lemieux wins Calder Memorial Trophy

Evgeni Malkin won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, becoming the second Penguin to win the award after Mario Lemieux in 1985.

1999: Largest margin of victory since 1999

In 2012, Evgeni Malkin's 12-point lead was the largest margin of victory since 1999.

2003: Russian Superleague Debut

In 2003, Evgeni Malkin made his Russian Superleague debut and his international debut for Russia during the U-18 World Championships.

2003: IIHF World U18 Championships

In 2003, Evgeni Malkin made his first international appearance with Russia at the IIHF World U18 Championships in Yaroslavl, helping Russia win a bronze medal with nine points in six games.

2004: Debuted at the under-20 level

In 2004, Evgeni Malkin debuted at the under-20 level with Russia at the World Junior Championships, contributing five points in six games.

2004: Drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins

In 2004, Evgeni Malkin was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL entry draft.

2004: Named Russia's U18 captain

In 2004, Evgeni Malkin was named Russia's U18 captain for the IIHF World U18 Championships and scored eight points, leading Russia to a gold medal in the tournament.

2005: Won the silver medal

In 2005, Evgeni Malkin finished second in team scoring at the World Junior Championships. Russia, led by Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin, won the silver medal.

August 2006: Compromise with Metallurg

In August 2006, Evgeni Malkin appeared to compromise with Metallurg and sign a deal that would have kept him in Russia until May 2007. However, he later stated he signed it due to "psychological pressure".

September 2006: Shoulder Dislocation

During his first pre-season game with the Penguins in September 2006, Evgeni Malkin collided with John LeClair and dislocated his own shoulder.

September 2006: Signs with Pittsburgh Penguins

On September 5, 2006, after invoking a law to cancel his contract in Russia, Evgeni Malkin signed an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

October 2006: Lawsuit Filed Against NHL and Penguins

Following his first NHL game, in October 2006, Malkin's former Russian hockey club filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NHL and the Penguins.

November 2006: Injunction Denied

On November 15, 2006, the motion for an injunction against Malkin playing in the NHL was denied.

2006: Triple Duty for Russia

In 2006, Evgeni Malkin played in his third World Junior Championships where he was named top forward and MVP, his first Winter Olympics where the team finished fourth, and the World Championship where he led Russia in scoring with nine points.

2006: IIHF World Championship

In 2006, Evgeni Malkin played internationally for Russia in the IIHF World Championships, where he was named tournament MVP.

2006: Malkin's NHL Debut Delayed

In 2006, an international transfer dispute delayed the start of Evgeni Malkin's NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

February 2007: Lawsuit Dismissed

On February 1, 2007, the lawsuit against Malkin playing in the NHL was ultimately dismissed by the District Court.

May 2007: Potential End Date of Metallurg contract

2007: Beginning of sophomore season in the NHL

Halfway into the 2007-08 season, Evgeni Malkin was having a very successful sophomore season in the NHL.

2007: Named to Russian Squad for World Championship

In 2007, Evgeni Malkin was named to the Russian squad for the World Championships, achieving a personal best of ten points. He captured his second World Championships bronze.

January 2008: First NHL hat-trick

In January 2008, Evgeni Malkin recorded his first NHL hat-trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He earned another three-goal performance later that month against the New York Rangers.

July 2008: Contract Extension with Penguins

In July 2008, Evgeni Malkin signed a five-year, $43.5 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

October 2008: 200th NHL Point

On October 18, 2008, Evgeni Malkin scored his 200th NHL point with an assist to Sidney Crosby against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2008: Stanley Cup Finals Appearance

In 2008, Evgeni Malkin helped lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals and was a runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

June 2009: Stanley Cup Victory and Conn Smythe Trophy

In June 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup, and Evgeni Malkin received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He tallied 36 points, the highest playoff total since 1993.

October 2009: Strained Shoulder

On October 28, 2009, Evgeni Malkin suffered a strained shoulder in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, causing him to miss seven games.

March 2010: Bruised Foot

On March 21, 2010, Evgeni Malkin suffered a bruised foot in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, sidelining him for seven more games.

2010: Vancouver Olympic Games and IIHF World Championship

2010 was an impressive year for Malkin internationally. He played for the Russian Olympic Team and later joined the Russian team for the IIHF World Championship, capturing his first World Championships silver medal.

2010: Vancouver Olympics

In 2010, Evgeni Malkin played for Russia in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

February 2011: Malkin suffers knee injury

In February 2011, Evgeni Malkin suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee after a collision with Tyler Myers. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2010-11 season and playoffs, with an estimated recovery period of six months. Despite Malkin's apology via text message to the general manager, he was assured he had nothing to apologize for.

2011: Bounce-back season

In 2011, Evgeni Malkin had a bounce-back season, leading the Penguins with James Neal due to Sidney Crosby's limited play. Despite lingering effects from knee surgery, Malkin achieved 50 goals.

2012: Plays for Magnitogorsk

Due to the lockout at the start of the 2012-13 NHL season, Evgeni Malkin played for Magnitogorsk of the KHL, his former team.

2012: IIHF World Championship MVP

In 2012, Evgeni Malkin played in the IIHF World Championships, winning gold and being named the tournament MVP.

2012: Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award

In 2012, Evgeni Malkin was awarded the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award after winning the Art Ross Trophy for the second time.

January 2013: Returns to KHL during lockout

In January 2013, with the NHL lockout ongoing, Evgeni Malkin played for Magnitogorsk in the KHL and was second in league scoring with 65 points before returning to the NHL.

October 2014: 400th career assist

On October 30, 2014, Evgeni Malkin recorded his 400th career assist on a goal by Chris Kunitz in a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

2014: Sochi Olympics

In 2014, Evgeni Malkin played for Russia in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

2014: 2014 Russian Olympic Ice Hockey Team

In 2014, Evgeni Malkin was named to the 2014 Russian Olympic Ice Hockey Team. He played all five games for Russia as they finished fifth in the tournament.

April 2015: 100th career playoff game

On April 22, 2015, Evgeni Malkin played his 100th career playoff game in the fourth game of the first round of the 2015 playoffs against the New York Rangers.

October 2016: 300th career NHL goal

On October 29, 2016, Evgeni Malkin recorded his 300th career NHL goal in a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

February 2017: 500th career assist

On February 17, 2017, Evgeni Malkin recorded his 500th career assist on a goal by Ian Cole in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

2017: Productive season

Evgeni Malkin had a healthy and productive 2017-18 season, finishing with 98 points in 78 games.

April 2018: 100th career playoff assist

On April 15, 2018, Evgeni Malkin recorded his 100th career playoff assist on a Justin Schultz goal in a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

2018: Season

Evgeni Malkin finished the 2018-19 season with 21 goals and 51 assists for 72 points in 68 games.

2019: 2019 IIHF World Championship

In 2019, Evgeni Malkin played in the IIHF World Championship, where he recorded the primary assist on Russia's game-winning goal against Team USA. Russia settled for a bronze medal.

2020: Pandemic-shortened season

Evgeni Malkin ended the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season with eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 33 games.

2020: IIHF All-Time Russian National Team

In 2020, Evgeni Malkin was named to the IIHF All-Time Russian National Team, ahead of Russian and Soviet greats.

January 2022: Season debut after knee surgery

In January 2022, Evgeni Malkin made his season debut after knee surgery, recording two goals along with an assist in a 4-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks.

July 2022: Contract extension with Penguins

In July 2022, Evgeni Malkin signed a four-year, $24.4 million contract extension to stay with the Penguins.

2023: Penguins miss playoffs

In 2023, Evgeni Malkin recorded 27 goals, 40 assists, and 67 points in 82 games. The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

October 2024: Milestones for Malkin

In October 2024, Evgeni Malkin achieved several milestones, including his 800th career assist on October 10th, his 1,300th NHL point on October 12th, and his 500th career goal on October 16th.