Evgeni Malkin (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – The Pittsburgh Penguins played two games against the Nashville Predators as part of the NHL Global Games 2025. They earned three points from the trip – a 2–1 overtime loss in the first game and a 4–0 win in the second. One of the standout performers in Stockholm was Evgeni Malkin, who continues an incredible start to his season.
“We didn’t play very well in the first game, so of course we weren’t happy,” Malkin told RG in an exclusive interview after Sunday’s game. “I scored in the first one, but when the team loses… We flew here for seven hours, so we really wanted to win today. In the end, three points from two games is a good result. My goals were funny, but I’m still happy with them.”
Malkin, who turned 39 on July 31, is having a fantastic fall. He leads the Penguins in scoring with 23 points (5+18) in 19 games. In the first match in Stockholm, he became the oldest player in NHL history to score in a regular-season game played outside North America (39 years, 107 days) – and he broke his own mark again two days later.
Malkin said he is enjoying hockey again and is trying not to think about the fact that this is the final season of his four-year contract with a $6.1 million cap hit.
“The last few years were tough. We missed the playoffs and didn’t play our best hockey. Before this season, I told myself: if this is the last one, I just need to enjoy it. Not pay attention to negativity or the stories about trades. I come to practice and try to enjoy every day. If it ends up being my last season, it’s OK. If I play well and we agree on one or two more years, that would be great. I’ve accepted the situation and came into this year with a new mindset.”
Malkin Leads the Charge as Penguins Surge
It’s not just Malkin who is thriving. With Dan Muse behind the bench, the Penguins – who missed the playoffs for three straight years – are giving their fans reasons to smile. The team sits third in the Metropolitan Division at 10-5-4 and owns the best power play in the NHL at 34.1%.
“It’s hard to say what exactly helped me start so well. New coach, new linemates. It’s working so far.”
“In the last game and today, I got a bit lucky – two goals from behind the net. But we’re trying to play solid hockey. The power play is clicking, one of the best in the league. And for now, luck is on our side. I hope it stays that way.”
When asked how old he feels, Malkin laughed and said that sometimes he feels older than the number in his passport. He admitted that recovery gets harder with age, and taking care of his body has become a top priority.
“Honestly, sometimes you wake up and feel like you’re 40 or even older. Some games really take a lot out of you. In the morning, everything hurts. But then you get a massage, do your treatments, cold tubs – and you’re back. The main thing is to take care of yourself: get the extra massage, do the procedures, take vitamins. Overall, I feel fine. I don’t want to say what age I feel, because it changes.”
The Penguins and Malkin have not yet talked about a new contract beyond 2025–26. Team president Kyle Dubas has said a decision will be made later, possibly during the Olympic break.
“I think it’s too early to talk about it. The season is long; there are many games ahead. We’ll see how I feel. I understand his concerns – he wants to see how I perform over a long stretch. Sometimes players start well for 20 games, then the scoring disappears. The main thing is to play well the whole season. Then we’ll talk – maybe in February, maybe after the season. I don’t want to worry about it. I just want to enjoy hockey.”
New Faces, Old Friends
One of the biggest NHL stories last season was Brad Marchand being traded from Boston to Florida. The Bruins’ longtime captain went on to win the Stanley Cup with the Panthers and then signed a six-year extension with a $5.5 million cap hit.
“It’s a beautiful story, but not everyone gets that outcome,” Malkin said. He admitted he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, but he can also imagine other scenarios.
“Sometimes you can imagine it – for example, if you win the Cup. But again, a lot depends on things I can’t control. We’ll talk after the season. There are many details. What if the team struggles or misses the playoffs, and big trades start? Of course, I don’t see myself in another jersey – not in Florida, not in Colorado, anywhere. I’ve played my whole life in Pittsburgh. I love the fans, I love the city. I want to finish here. But there are always details. And of course, I want to fight for another Cup.”
This season, another Russian player joined the Penguins: 21-year-old goalie Sergei Murashov. After time in the ECHL and AHL, he made his NHL debut this year. Against Nashville, he earned his first NHL win and posted a shutout with 21 saves. Malkin praised the young netminder.
“It’s all up to him. He played well in his first game against the Kings too, but we lost. Today he was great. I think it will give him a lot of confidence. Right now we basically have three goalies – Jarry is hurt – so he has to use this chance. There’s no free spot in the NHL; you need to prove yourself every day. Today was excellent. He just needs to keep working. Hopefully he gets a lot more games. He’s only 21 – the league is young now. There are so many 20- and 21-year-olds scoring a ton of points and leading their teams. They’re confident and fearless. So age doesn’t matter. You just need to show your game. The team helped him, and he played great.”
Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin have been the two biggest Russian stars of their generation. Not long ago, Ovechkin became the first player in NHL history to reach 900 goals. Washington played Pittsburgh the next day, and Malkin congratulated his longtime friend.
“We saw each other after that game. They had a back-to-back so we couldn’t go to dinner, but we talked. We text a lot. We meet in the summer; our kids have birthdays together. We’re good friends. Nobody is surprised he got to 900. He had 899 – it was just a matter of time. You can congratulate him every week because he’ll keep breaking his own record: 900, 902, 903, 904, 905… it’s only a question of time. He’s played 1,500 games. He’s a real Russian bear, a terminator. It’s impossible not to admire him.”