For 1st time since June surgery, Evgeni Malkin skates, does on-ice drills

For the first time since undergoing knee surgery in June, Evgeni Malkin has hit the ice.

Malkin skated with other injured Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Monday morning at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

“Any time an (injured) player goes back on the ice, I think it’s significant,” coach Mike Sullivan said afterward. “He’s been working extremely hard off the ice, going through the rehab process. But certainly, (skating) is a significant step for him.”

Malkin, whom the team said would miss the first two months of the season, was skating briskly for a brief period of time Monday. Malkin was shooting the puck in rushes and doing other drills alongside teammates Sidney Crosby and Mike Matheson and Penguins skills and development coach Ty Hennes.

While Crosby has been spotted on the ice multiple times recently, Malkin’s appearance is notable because general manager Ron Hextall recently indicated Malkin would not be able to play until December.

It’s a tall, talented Russian nicknamed Geno, and he’s skating briskly …

Evgeni Malkin is on the ice (with Sidney Crosby, too) pic.twitter.com/wrEVBPWAZd

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 18, 2021

Malkin wore a jacket during his workout, and his time on the ice did not endure as long as that of Crosby or Matheson. After his most intense skating, Malkin sat on the bench and watched Crosby and Matheson drill for several minutes before going back on the ice for some light skating and puckhandling. A few minutes later, Malkin retreated to the locker room for good.

Sullivan did not provide any additional specifics in regards to if Malkin’s timetable to return has changed.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.