CRANBERRY, Pa. — Evgeni Malkin will have more reason to score points this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On Thursday, the center announced its “I’m Score for Kids” initiative benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. Malkin, who wears no. 71, has pledged to donate $710 for each point he has in his 17th NHL season.
“I’m trying to be nice,” Malkin said on Friday. “I’ve played here, like, 17 years, you know? It’s my second hometown. I try to, like, say thank you to the fans, say thank you to the kids and help.”
Malkin got off to a good start with a goal in a 6-2 season-opening win against the Arizona Coyotes at home Thursday. He’ll get a chance to add more when the Penguins host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday (7 pm ET; NHLN, ATTSN-PT, BSSUN, SN NOW).
RMHC provides lodging and meals for families that travel for children requiring medical care, allowing them to stay close throughout. Seven hundred families, totaling 13,716 nights of stay, were served in 2021.
Malkin will host families of RMHC in a suite for 10 home games this season, the first coming when the Penguins face the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 20. He made a monetary donation to the charity in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing RMHC to fulfill its pantry wish list and provide games for families.
It wasn’t guaranteed Malkin would return to the Penguins this season, but he agreed to a four-year, $24.4 million contract July 12. That makes it likely Malkin will spend his entire NHL career in Pittsburgh, making him think it was appropriate to give back to the community.
“I signed a nice contract and I try to do my best,” Malkin said. “Not just play hockey, but something like this, for the kids too. I talked to the team. I talked to the management here. We do it, like, together. I hope I score lots of points.”
The 36-year-old is third in Penguins history with 1,147 points (445 goals, 702 assists) in 982 games, behind Mario Lemieux (1,723) and Sidney Crosby (1,412). After returning from offseason knee surgery, he had 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 41 games last season.
In his previous 16 NHL seasons, Malkin appropriately averaged just over 71 points.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017) said he wants to prove he hasn’t lost his scoring touch. With the new initiative, Malkin might have a bit more motivation.
“We’re all kids here,” Malkin said. “We still have fun every day. We play against each other. We’re joking around. We’re like kids, but big kids, you know? It’s like fun every day. Not just on the ice, but in the locker room … We’re just trying to enjoy life.
“I know I’m not young anymore, but I have more experience. I’ve had a great career, but I want to show my best again. I’m not done.”
Photo courtesy of Penguins
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