Pittsburgh Review

Evgeni Malkin recently celebrated a significant milestone in his NHL career, marking his 500th goal with a pregame ceremony. The event was particularly emotional for Malkin as his parents, Vladimir and Natalia, traveled from Russia to be by his side. His son Nikita also attended the ceremony, watching highlights of Malkin's career on the videoboard.

Malkin expressed gratitude for his family's presence, stating, "I think it's good for my family, my parents. They fly to be here... It's everything for them." He acknowledged the sacrifices his parents made during his upbringing and was pleased to share this achievement with them.

Living far from his hometown of Magnitogorsk in Russia has been challenging for Malkin. Despite loving Pittsburgh as his second home, being away from family is difficult. As Vladimir and Natalia age, traveling becomes more strenuous. The Penguins organization facilitated their journey to Pittsburgh to ensure they could attend the celebration.

Natalia shared her pride in Evgeni's accomplishments: "For us, it’s a major event and accomplishment for Evgeni to score so many goals in the NHL." With assistance from Penguins staffer George Birman, the Malkins reflected on their family's journey and Evgeni's career challenges.

Vladimir emphasized their ongoing support: "We speak on the phone all the time to support him... We’ve always done what we can to help him fulfill his potential." This support was crucial when Evgeni faced adversity early in his career after an injury during preseason games threatened his debut season.

Despite these challenges, Malkin persevered and debuted on October 18, 2006. The Penguins fans have warmly embraced both him and his family since then. Natalia noted their appreciation: "The fans have always been so amazingly supportive of Evgeni and us."

During the recent ceremony at PPG Paints Arena, fans paid tribute to Malkin's likely Hall of Fame career. In recognition of this milestone, he received a trip to the 2025 Champions League Final as a gift from the organization—a treat especially meaningful for soccer fan Nikita.

Natalia praised Evgeni's dedication as a father: "He loves his son Nikita so much... They play together all the time." She highlighted how important it is that such milestones are celebrated with family involvement.

Malkin concluded by thanking the Penguins organization: "They do a really good job to me... It's my second home here." He affirmed his commitment to Pittsburgh regardless of outcomes on or off the ice.