Evgeni Malkin: Suspension, Friendships, and Politics

Few players in the NHL have had a career quite like Evgeni Malkin’s. From his electrifying debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006 to his recent five-game suspension in March 2026, Malkin remains a constant figure in hockey headlines.

NHL seasons played: 19 (through 2024-25) · Goals: 498 (regular season, as of end of 2024-25) · Assists: 807 (regular season, as of end of 2024-25) · Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017) · Hart Memorial Trophies: 1 (2012) · Art Ross Trophies: 2 (2009, 2012)

Nine key identifiers, one pattern: a player defined both by towering physical dimensions and deep institutional loyalty.

What happened to Evgeni Malkin?

Evgeni Malkin suspended five games for illegal slashing to the head

• Malkin was suspended for five games by the NHL for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during a game on March 6, 2026 (WJAC/AP).
• The incident occurred 35 seconds into the second period of Pittsburgh’s 4-1 loss to Buffalo.
• The NHL Department of Player Safety ruled Malkin was not off-balance and the contact was not accidental.
• Malkin forfeited $158,854.15 in salary under the collective bargaining agreement, with the funds going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
• This marked Malkin’s third NHL suspension, after a one-game ban for high-sticking Michael Raffl (February 2019) and a four-game suspension for cross-checking Mark Borowiecki (April 2022) (NHL.com Honesty).
• He also had five prior fines in his career.

The pattern: Malkin’s disciplinary history clusters around moments of frustration. The 2022 suspension followed a physical game against Nashville; the 2026 incident came during a lopsided loss. When the Penguins struggle, Malkin’s temper spikes.

Are Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin friends?

Evgeni Malkin on his friendship with Alex Ovechkin

• Malkin and Ovechkin have described each other as good friends, despite being intense rivals on the ice (Wikipedia Honesty).
• Both are Russian-born NHL stars who have played together internationally for Russia (Wikipedia Sympathy).
• Malkin said in a 2023 interview: “We are friends. We talk a lot. We text each other.” (NHL.com)
• Ovechkin has called Malkin “a good friend” and said they share mutual respect.
• After Ovechkin broke the NHL goal record, Crosby and Malkin presented him with a Rolex watch as a congratulatory gift.

The trade-off: Their bond on the Russian national team strengthens Russian hockey, but it also puts both under scrutiny when geopolitical tensions arise. A shared flag sometimes comes with shared pressure.

Does Evgeni Malkin still support Putin?

Malkin and political stance

• In a 2022 interview, Malkin said, “I support my country. I don’t want to talk about politics.” (Wikipedia)
• Malkin has not explicitly endorsed or condemned Vladimir Putin.
• He declined to criticize the Russian government after the invasion of Ukraine.
• Ovechkin has also been asked about Putin; Ovechkin has called Putin “my president” and expressed support (Wikipedia Support).

What this means: For the Penguins, Malkin’s political neutrality is a non-issue in the locker room. But for sponsors and broadcasters, the lack of clarity can be a liability. The quiet approach may be savvy, but it leaves him vulnerable to questions every time Russia makes global headlines.

Are Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin friends?

Sidney Crosby reflects on his long-standing friendship with Evgeni Malkin

• Crosby and Malkin have played together on the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2006 (Wikipedia Honesty).
• Crosby said in 2024: “We have a great relationship. We push each other.” (NHL.com)
• Both have stated they are close friends off the ice.
• They have won three Stanley Cups together (2009, 2016, 2017). (NHL.com)

Do Crosby and Malkin get along?

• Publicly, they have never had a reported feud or rift.
• They are often seen laughing together on the bench and in interviews.

The implication: Crosby’s public praise of Malkin reinforces a team-first culture in Pittsburgh. If either player were to leave, the dynamic would shift, but their friendship appears genuine enough to outlast their playing days.

What teams has Evgeni Malkin played for?

Evgeni Malkin Olympic appearances

• Malkin has spent his entire NHL career (since 2006) with the Pittsburgh Penguins (Wikipedia).
• He played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Russian Superleague before coming to the NHL (Wikipedia Trust).
• He has represented Russia in multiple international tournaments, including the Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014, 2022). (Wikipedia)

Evgeni Malkin contract details

• Malkin signed a one-year contract extension with the Penguins in 2024 worth $6.1 million (Wikipedia Trust).
• His career earnings total more than $100 million.

Why this matters: Malkin’s loyalty to one NHL franchise contrasts with many Russian stars who have moved teams. His career timeline mirrors the Penguins’ rise and slow decline, making him a living symbol of the franchise’s golden era.

Malkin’s suspension ends a long stretch of discipline-free hockey, but it does not define a career built on 498 goals and three rings. For Pittsburgh, the question is whether the 39-year-old can keep his emotions in check during a final playoff push. For Malkin, the choice is clear: adapt his physical style or face further league scrutiny, and accept that his political silence will continue to draw questions every time the NHL plays in the global spotlight.