Sidney Crosby is glad that he was able to register an assist on Evgeni Malkin’s 500th career goal, especially after Malkin assisted on his.
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“It’s fun,” Crosby said. “We’ve shared a lot of milestones together and a lot of memories, so to be able to add this one, with the win and the way he did it, that was a pretty awesome goal. So I’ll have a great memory of that one.” I had a front row seat watching him do it, and we’re just really happy for him. I know hard it is to get to that number, and how long and how well he’s been doing it for. That’s a great achievement, and I’m proud of him.”
For the better part of the past 19 years, Malkin has quietly dominated the league. Often overshadowed by his teammate – who happens to be, arguably, a top-five player of all time – Malkin’s accomplishments are somewhat easy for many to overlook, especially considering that the greatest goal-scorer of all time has also been around for all 19 of his NHL seasons.
But make no mistake: What Malkin has accomplished is remarkable.
One of the greatest Russian players of all time
The small-town kid from Magnitogorsk, Russia was selected second overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft behind fellow countryman – and all-time great – Alex Ovechkin. And when you sit down to think about that, it’s quite poetic.
Ovechkin and Malkin, respectively, have produced more than any other Russian-born players in NHL history:
There is still a lot of room for Malkin’s numbers to keep growing before he decides to hang up the skates. Ovechkin will, more than likely, break the goal record, and he will likely retire with the most points ever by a Russian-born player.
But it’s hard to argue that Malkin isn’t the second-greatest Russian player of all time, even now, with more hockey ahead for him.
One of the greatest Penguins of all time
Like Crosby, Malkin has continuously been climbing all-time team ranks:
Malkin is third in franchise history in both points (1307) and goals (500). He’s second in overtime goals, game-winning goals, and power play goals. He’s also first in franchise history in penalty minutes, which is quite an accomplishment on its own considering some of the other names that are on the all-time list.
Related: NHL 500 Goal Club
And with his 500th goal, he’s also made Pittsburgh only the second franchise in NHL history to have three players meet that mark with one franchise.
People talk about the “Mount Rushmores” of sports and of franchises. Malkin, without a doubt, joins Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and Crosby as the four greatest Penguins of all time, and that doesn’t figure to change anytime soon.
One of the greatest NHL players of all time
“Greatest of all time” arguments in any sport are always subjective, especially in the sport of hockey, which has evolved drastically across generations.
When you look at things from this “generational” lens, it makes what Malkin has done even more impressive.
Malkin is one of only five active players drafted within the post-lockout era – the others being Crosby and Ovechkin, who are ahead of him, and Patrick Kane and Anze Kopitar, who trail him – to break the top-50 all-time scoring list at 36th. He needs only 114 points to surpass Adam Oates and crack the top-20, which seems attainable by the time his contract expires at the end of 2026 as long as he remains healthy.
He has also accomplished this playing in far less games than both Crosby and Ovechkin. Malkin has played in 1,150 NHL games, while Crosby has played in 1,277 and Ovechkin in 1,429. And between the five aforementioned players, he is second only to Crosby in points-per-game at 1.137.
And considering that this group of players were in their primes during one of the lowest-scoring eras in NHL history – the dead-puck era of the late-90s and early-2000s as the only exception – it goes to show how dominant Malkin was, and still is, when he’s been healthy and playing games.
If he does crack the top-20, he will, unquestionably, be one of the greatest of all time.
Malkin is currently tied for the league lead in scoring with 11 points in five games, which is the first time he’s led the NHL in scoring since April 7, 2012. It is also the most points he’s ever had through the first five games in a season.
What he’s doing at age 38 is impressive. But – all-time great discussions and 500-goal club aside – at the end of the day, Malkin is just “Geno.” And, really, that’s the most endearing thing about the future Hall-of-Famer.
Related: Malkin And Crosby Hit Major Milestones As Penguins Defeat Sabres In Overtime, 6-5
And “Geno” shone through when asked about joining the exclusive 500-goal club.
“For the first time, probably, I want to say I’m proud of myself,” Malkin said. “It’s a great number for me. I’m from a small hometown in Russia, Magnitogorsk, first guy who’s done this and second Russian. I work hard every day, and people probably don’t understand that sometimes, it’s not easy for me.”
He smiled. “But, it’s a great story, Sid pass to me… it’s amazing. I love it. Again, congrats to myself.”
Related: Penguins’ Crosby and Malkin Keep Making NHL History
