22 years ago today, Evgeni Malkin was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Before he was drafted by the Penguins, Malkin made his professional debut in Russia, playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk when he was 17 years old.
The 2004 NHL Draft was held in Raleigh, North Carolina and the Penguins held the second pick after finishing the previous season with a league-worst 58 points, but were jumped in the draft lottery by the Washington Capitals, who
landed the top pick and selected Alex Ovechkin.
Malkin’s arrival to Pittsburgh after being drafted with the second pick in 2004 would be delayed for some time due to both a transfer dispute and the NHL lockout.
In 2006, Malkin became the subject of what could be referred to as an international incident as the young Russian had to leave his team’s training camp in Finland, in some ways escaping for America and Pittsburgh.
Malkin was ultimately able to sign his entry-level deal with the Penguins in September 2006, making his NHL debut a short time later.
In his first preseason game with Pittsburgh, Malkin was injured when he collided with teammate John LeClair, meaning his first regular season game with the Penguins would have to wait.
In his debut game against the New Jersey Devils, Malkin scored one of his most memorable goals, being legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur.
Now 22 years, 533 goals, 874 assists, and three Stanley Cups later after being drafted, Malkin could be heading into his final season with the Penguins.
