PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As openly critical as any player over his career, Pens forward Evgeni Malkin is putting last year behind him. He said it’s about the work they put in as they try to get back to where they want to be.
Malkin started last season fresh off a new four-year contract with expectations of getting past the first round of the playoffs and making a run. Instead they didn’t even get to the postseason for the first time in his NHL career.
That led to changes in the organization. Gone are the team’s director of hockey operations, general manager, other executives, even Mario Lemieux doesn’t come around the team anymore. Also replaced is Malkin’s linemate Jason Zucker. Following the 27 goals and 21 assists, the 31-year-old Zucker signed a one-year deal with Arizona.
To start in camp, Malkin is working with Reilly Smith on his line. The 6’1”, 185-pound, left-handed shot is entering his 13th year in the NHL. He was part of the Las Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup winning team last year with 26 goals and 30 assists in 78 games. Malkin joked that he asked Smith if he could show him his ring, as if Geno hadn’t won three himself.
“We try to play together right now, understand each other,” Malkin said. “He’s a very smart forward with great experience. I think we are a stronger team than last year. I hope we stay together and our goals is the playoffs and winning every game.”
Reilly isn’t the only addition made in the offseason. Several forwards, Ryan Graves replaces long-time teammate Brian Dumoulin on the defensive side. Pens also added another defenseman late in the process in a trade with San Jose, Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
“Best defenseman in the league, we signed good players and we try to win again,” Malkin said. “He’s an amazing guy and player, but we need to work every day.”
Malkin said it’s not like they are just going to try and lean on Karlsson to carry them or that his 100 points will automatically make them a contender. The 36-year-old said Karlsson can help them improve. That adding a player like that gives you a chance to win every game, but they still need to put in the work.
It got to a point this offseason where Malkin said he would wake up and read something new about his team every day.
“It’s all new for me,” Malkin said entering his 18th year with the Penguins. “We changed a lot this year. I hope it helps the team be stronger, be better. We are not happy about last year. Owners, coaches, players we are here to win. Last season was very disappointing for us. Now we look to new forwards, new teammates, new faces and we try to be better every day.”
Malkin charity
For the second straight season Malkin will donate $710 for every regular-season point to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. He donated $58, 930 and that was matched by local McDonald’s restaurants as part of the ‘I’m Score for Kids’ initiative.
"Last season was a success and I am grateful to the local McDonald’s owner/operators who matched the donation. My family and I are proud to continue the 'I'm Score for Kids' program for a second season," Malkin said in a press release. “I love playing for the fans, but more importantly, the kids. It’s great motivation for me to be my best every night."
Local McDonald’s stores throughout the area will match his donation again this year and sell a co-branded cup sleeve to also help raise money to allow families who travel to get medical care for their children have a place to stay. More than 1,000 different families were served in 2022.