Evgeni Malkin's return to action takes a turn after latest update at practice

Veteran Penguins centerman Evgeni Malkin has been sidelined since early December with an upper-body injury.

He recently began skating on his own and was still listed as "week-to-week" during the holiday break, with no immediate return expected.

At practice today, Malkin took a major step forward, finally joining his teammates on the ice for the first time since missing the past 13 games. He was usually seen on the ice alone, casually gliding, but today marked the first true positive step.

He was, however, in a white no-contact jersey, signaling progress but still not a game-ready player as of yet.

Malkin will not play in Saturday's matinee against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena, as the no-contact jersey signals he is not ready to start engaging in the physicality of an actual NHL match just yet.

Still, seeing him back on the ice with the team is a positive indicator that he is moving closer to a full return in the near future.

This marks the latest milestone in his recovery, and while a precise timeline remains uncertain at this point, the team will continue to monitor his progress very closely.

Malkin's presence on the ice provides a boost to the Penguins' lineup and adds optimism for the weeks ahead as the team looks to climb up the standings and push for a playoff spot.

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