Pittsburgh's favorite Russian turns 32 today!

Can you believe Evgeni Malkin is really turning 32? I had to double check and make sure, because he's definitely not playing in the NHL like someone who is turning 32. I still remember a tall and lanky 20 year old Russian who disappeared from his team in Finland and suddenly arrived in LA just prior to the Penguins training camp in 2006. I also remember thinking there was going to be another Cold War over the status of his contract. He literally faxed a two week notice to his team in order to get out of his Russian league contract to play in the NHL, and it worked because Russia. I think all of us Pens fans will be forever grateful for that decision to leave the country he so dearly loves, no matter the circumstances.

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