When the NHL compiled its list of the 100 greatest players in its centennial year in 2017, Evgeni Malkin was not included. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward admitted that he was very upset about this, and many in the hockey community felt that the vote result was not entirely fair to Malkin.
But if the vote were held now, Malkin would likely find a place among the 100 greatest players in league history. On Wednesday, he became the 48th player in history to score 500 goals in the NHL.
"If the NHL celebrated its centennial this year, my chances would probably be a little higher. Not even a little," Malkin smiled in a conversation with RG after the game against the Buffalo Sabres (6-5 OT) on Wednesday. "In 2017, we won the Stanley Cup, but the voting took place a little earlier. Now I have three Stanley Cups, 500 goals, 1,300 points... So I could probably get to 99th place now."
After five games of the 2024-25 season, Malkin has 11 points (two years, nine assists) and is the league's top scorer as of Thursday morning. The 38-year-old forward's closest competitors have eight points each. The Pittsburgh forward looks like an even better version of himself this season. Not only is he a threat in attack, but he is also much more effective in defense, rarely loses the puck, and has not committed a penalty yet. With such statistics, you can even count on the Selke Trophy, the award to the forward "who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game."
Malkin scored his first goal in the NHL in his first game on October 18, 2006, in a match against the New Jersey Devils.
"Of course, I remember that moment," Malkin answered. "Moments like the first goal, the 500th and 1,000th points, the Stanley Cup, are always memorable. It was 18 years ago, but I remember how in the second period I managed to score a slightly ridiculous goal. Martin Brodeur couldn't hold the puck down, and I pushed it between his legs with my stick. Under today's rules, such a goal might not have counted. And now it's 500. It's been a long journey. I have to thank my teammates; without their help, I wouldn't have gotten to this point. Many of them have already retired, and I'm still playing."
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
