Malkin hopes to make season debut in 10 days for Penguins
Forward says knee is '200 percent stronger' after surgery
© Joe Sargent/Getty Images
By
Wes Crosby
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
That would have the forward return from offseason knee surgery during a six-game road trip, possibly at the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 6 or Dallas Stars on Dec. 8.
The Penguins next play Sunday at home against the San Jose Sharks.
"No, not Sunday, for sure," Malkin said. "I can't say 100 percent when I'm back. I hope like next week, maybe 10 days. But it's [an] almost close process. Last days, couple practices with [the] team. Coach [gave] me a couple times, like [playing] power play with [the] guys."
Returning to his usual spot at second-line center Wednesday, Malkin has taken full contact the past three practices for the first time since the surgery. He rejoined the Penguins on Nov. 29, wearing a no-contact jersey for a morning skate in Calgary, and started skating with skills coach Ty Hennes before practice Oct. 18.
"Every day, I feel it's better and better," Malkin said. "Last six months, it's not fun. It's not easy. I was injured, my knee injury. It's a long process. I had the surgery after last season and it's slow every day. But now, it's more fun. Glad to be back with the team. I hope I play soon."
The Penguins (17-8-5) have won seven straight games, including five in a row without first-line forwards Jake Guentzel (upper body) and Bryan Rust (lower body).
"I think 'Geno' is looking stronger and stronger with each additional practice," coach Mike Sullivan said. "[He] deserves a lot of credit for how hard he's worked to get himself to this point. We're certainly encouraged by what we see out there."
The 35-year-old said the decision to have knee surgery stemmed from a desire to play several more seasons in the NHL.
"I want to play three or four years more, and I don't want to worry every game about my knee," he said. "Because now my knee is like 200 percent stronger. … I know it's a little bit not easy, but I want to play three or four more years. I feel like I can."
Malkin is in the final season of an eight-year, $76 million contract (average annual value $9.5 million) he signed with Pittsburgh on June 13, 2013.
"I'm not thinking about my contract right now," Malkin said "I'm not thinking about money. I'm like a pretty rich guy. I'm not thinking about money. This is my point, I have had like a tough half of a year. I want back my level of game.
"We have a great group. We have great coaches. I miss hockey so much. I want to enjoy every game."
The three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017) has played 940 games for Pittsburgh, second behind teammate Sidney Crosby (1,057). Entering his 16th NHL season, Malkin is third in Penguins history in points (1,104) and assists (680), and fourth in goals (424).
Malkin scored 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 33 games last season before injuring his knee on a hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Jarred Tinordi on March 16. Malkin returned May 3 and played the final four regular-season games.
After missing the first two games of the Stanley Cup First Round against the New York Islanders, Malkin scored five points (one goal, four assists) in four games before the Penguins were eliminated with a 5-3 loss in Game 6 of the best-of-7 series.
"I had the injury in the Boston game last year. I had an MRI the next day and had a discussion with the doc," Malkin said. "It's a hard discussion. He said, 'You can try to play without surgery. It's your option.' I wanted to play in the playoffs last year. We had a great team. I thought we had a chance.
"I practiced a couple times and used a brace. Felt fine, but only like a little bit worried when somebody hit me like in the corner and my knee is not strong enough."
Pittsburgh began this season without Malkin and Crosby, who missed the first seven games after having wrist surgery Sept. 8. Crosby made his season debut Oct. 30 before being sidelined the following five games when he was placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
Malkin said he could see the Penguins making a run at another Stanley Cup championship despite injuries or illness to key players.
"Guys play hard," Malkin said. "It's not the first time we have lots of problems. A couple years ago, I have injuries, Sid has injuries. But we have a nice group. … This year, I think we still have a chance to play in the [Stanley Cup Final], for sure. I like what I see."
