CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Evgeni Malkin called it a "hard choice" to get knee surgery over the offseason.
His injury dates back to a March 16 collision with the Bruins' Jarred Tinordi. He missed the last six weeks of the regular season and first two games of the playoffs before returning. Following the Penguins' first-round exit against the Islanders, Malkin underwent the surgery on his right knee on June 4.
He spoke about his injury and the rehab process on Wednesday for the first time this season following the Penguins' practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
He underwent an MRI following that game against the Bruins, leading to what Malkin said was a "hard discussion" with the doctor. He didn't feel 100%, but the doctor told him that he could try to play on the knee without surgery.
"I was only a little bit worried," Malkin said of playing in the playoffs. "Like when somebody hit me in the corner, my knee's not strong enough."
Malkin got a second MRI following the Penguins' exit from the playoffs, and it showed that his knee had gotten worse. Concerned about his future, Malkin ultimately decided to undergo the surgery to repair it.
"I want to play maybe like three, four more years, you know," he said. "And I don't want to worry like every game about my knee."
He doesn't have anything to worry about now. Malkin's been skating with the team since Nov. 29, and has been skating with full contact since Monday. Now, he says that his knee is "200% stronger," and he's looking forward to getting back into a game.
"I had a tough six months, but I'm looking forward," he said.
With every day, it seems like Malkin's participation in the Penguins' practices grows, and he's getting closer and closer to a return. He's been working more with the top power-play unit with each practice, and on Wednesday he skated in his regular second-line center spot for the first time during line rushes, centering Danton Heinen and Jeff Carter.
Malkin ruled himself out for the Penguins' next game Sunday against the Sharks, saying there's "no chance" he comes back that soon. He said that he "can't say 100%" when he'll return, but he's aiming for a return during the Penguins' western road trip. That trip includes Jan. 8 in Dallas, Jan. 11 in Anaheim, Jan. 13 in Los Angeles, Jan. 15 in San Jose, and Jan. 17 in Las Vegas.
In the meantime, the Penguins clearly are enjoying Malkin's presence back at practice. He brings a lot of energy each day, celebrating hard after seemingly every goal scored, and making his teammates laugh by arguing with them and the coaches about missed penalty calls and offside calls during the drills.
"He's one of the best players in the world still to this day, a future Hall of Famer," said Mark Friedman, who skated on a defense pairing with Malkin in his first few practices, before he was ready to rejoin the line combinations. "Whenever you get a guy back like that, it definitely boosts morale on the team and everyone's pace goes up a little bit more. He's so skilled out there that he makes plays you don't even think of. He's just awesome to have out there."
Mike Sullivan said that he believes Malkin is looking "stronger and stronger" in each practice, and that Malkin is showing more confidence as a result.
"I think his speed has been really strong," Sullivan observed. "He's worked extremely hard. Geno deserves a lot of credit for how hard he's worked to get himself to this point. We're certainly encouraged with what we see out there. His speed, his conditioning, his strength on the puck, and in the last handful of practices, his willingness to compete in the battle areas, and then the traffic. All of that stuff for me suggests that he's just that much more confident in in his overall health and his conditioning."
Malkin is in the final year of his contract, a seven-year extension he signed back in 2013 that carries a $9.5 million cap hit. In speaking about his contract status Wednesday, he reiterated that he hopes to play another three or four more years, but that the contract itself isn't weighing too heavily on his mind.
"No, no, I'm not thinking about my contract. I'm not thinking about money, I'm like a pretty rich guy," he said with a grin, pausing for laughter. "No, I'm not thinking about money. ... I know it's a little bit not easy, but I want three, four more years. And I feel like I can."
Malkin's immediate focus is more about returning and playing at the high level to which he's accustomed, and making a real run in the playoffs.
"This year I think we have a chance to play in the Final, for sure," he said. "I'm glad with what I see on our team. ... We have a nice four lines and goalie. Just stay together and play hard."
