CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Evgeni Malkin remains passionate as his 21st season with the Pittsburgh Penguins begins. Whether it's his last, only his body knows. "If I not feel hundred percent, I'm not playing," Malkin said, adding if he's not helping the team win, "I'm retired."

Last season, the 40-year-old posted 19 goals and 42 assists, averaging over a point per game for the first time since 2019-20. After Pittsburgh's first-round playoff exit to Philadelphia, GM Kyle Dubas praised Malkin's effort, and about a month later, Malkin signed a one-year deal. The deal extended the partnership between Malkin, captain Sidney Crosby and defenseman Kris Letang to 21 years, the longest three teammates have played together in major North American professional sports history.

Pittsburgh largely kept its roster, including re-signing forward Egor Chinakhov. There are now four Russians on the team, allowing Malkin to mentor. He begins the season with 1,407 career points, 14 shy of surpassing Adam Oates for top 20 on the NHL's all-time list. "I'm here to win," he said.