Prior to joining the Avalanche, the 26-year-old Olten, Switzerland native recorded four points (2G/2A) in 23 games for Toronto this season. Malign was selected in the fourth round selection (102nd overall) by the Florida Panthers at the 2015 NHL Draft.
Since joining the Avalanche, the right shot centerman/winger has produced four points (2G, 2A) in 16 games. Malgin has now played in 231 career NHL contests between the Avalanche, Panthers and Maple Leafs, totaling 68 points (32G/36A).
Now that Malgin is settled in Denver, get to know more about No. 81:
Where did you grow up and what was it like?
I grew up in Switzerland. My dad [Albert Malgin] was a professional hockey player for 20 years maybe. He started in the Russian hockey league (the Soviet Union) and then went to Switzerland. So I was born in Switzerland. That's basically how I got into hockey. From a far place, you start watching him and then you start doing it, right? He was a center. I'm a center and a winger so I followed in his steps.
You started your NHL career in Florida (2016-19), then went to Toronto (2019-20), then spent two seasons back in Switzerland (2020-22) before returning to the NHL this past fall. What was it like coming back to the NHL?
I went back because it was the COVID year right and I started [my career] in Switzerland. The plan was to go back to Toronto, but I stayed in Switzerland because I could play a lot and get better. I think those years [back in Switzerland] got me a lot higher in my game.
What was your favorite NHL team growing up?
That's a tough one. My favorite team was probably Detroit. There were so many good teams, but I'd probably have to say Detroit.
Who were some of your favorite NHLers that you watched and/or admired?
My favorite player was Pavel Datsyuk. My father played also, so I watched him a ton and looked up to him.
What's your favorite sport outside of hockey?
Soccer. I played soccer a little bit too. That's big in Switzerland. I watch soccer a lot. I watch the Champions League. I watched the World Cup. I cheered for Switzerland obviously. It was an interesting [World Cup] Final game with France and Argentina. That was a good one. That was one of the best games I've ever watched.
What is something people may not know about you?
Oh, that's hard. I'm not too interesting. I'm not a music guy and I can't sing or anything like that.
I speak Russian, I speak English, German, Swiss… I don't know is Swiss a language? Probably. It's like the Germans don't understand us, but we [understand] them. So, three, maybe four languages. That's pretty good, right?
What was it like when you were traded from Toronto to Colorado?
Everything happened so fast. When I heard it was Colorado, I was excited, right? I mean they're a really good team. They just won the Cup so I was excited to join them. My first impression was really good and I'm still really happy here. I'm excited, it's really fun to play.
How has it been getting adjusted to the Avalanche style of hockey and finding some chemistry with Matt Nieto?
Really good. We try to help the team. We're trying to score and play our role. It's nice to play and just help the team.
Is there any meaning behind wearing No. 81?
I was 62. I was 13 when I grew up - my father was 13 and Datsyuk too - then, I got 62 in Florida in the camp. It was a good number and I liked it. Then I came here, obviously I couldn't have 62. I was 81 one year in the Swiss league so that's why I took it.
How has it been getting settled in Denver?
It's great. It's kind of quiet. There's nice nature, you can see the mountains. It's kind of like back home in Switzerland. It's nice.
