An Update On Evgeni Malkin's Expected Return

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ron Hextall announced today that Evgeni Malkin will be out for at least the first two months of the regular season. The 35-year-old center had surgery on his right knee earlier this summer.

PIT GM Ron Hextall says Evgeni Malkin will miss at least the first two months of the season
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 23, 2021

The Penguins will certainly miss Malkin in their lineup, but it's essential for him to be fully healed before returning. Even with him getting older, he is still a fantastic NHL player. In 33 games this past season, he scored eight goals and recorded 28 points. He also had five points in four playoff games. Keep in mind, this was his production when dealing with his injury.

The Penguins are also expected to be without Sidney Crosby for the start of the season, too. Therefore, they have two big holes down the middle, which is a bad way to begin a new campaign.

Here's to hoping Malkin only misses two months and the estimation does not go up. We will have to wait and see.