Penguins' Evgeni Malkin Close to Passing Several NHL Icons in Key Statistics

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a pair of the best NHL players in history wear their sweater in 2 different eras, with Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr taking flight in the 1990s, followed by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin from 2005 to the present day.

While Sidney Crosby is close to passing multiple NHL icons in even strength goals scored, Malkin is close to surpassing multiple names himself.

Malkin, who is 31st all-time in NHL scoring with 1,346 points (514G, 832A), is already 3 points ahead of the still-active Patrick Kane. Malkin is also just four points away from passing Mats Sundin, eight points from passing Guy Lafleur, and nine points to pass Brendan Shanahan.

He's just 2 goals from passing Pierre Turgeon's record of 515 goals, 5 from passing Dale Hawerchuk's 518 goals, and 9 from passing Pat Verbeek's record of 522.

Malkin is also under contract for one last year, which many feel could be his last in the NHL. If this is Malkin's swan song, he's a 1st ballot Hall of Famer and will have his No. 71 sweater number retired by the Penguins.

Malkin confirmed in February that he has no plans to play for any other NHL team other than the Penguins.

Malkin, who was taken with the 2nd pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft behind fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin, has carved out a tremendous career for himself that includes 3 Stanley Cup wins and the Conn Smythe Trophy (2009).