IOC Ruling Probably Ends Malkin’s International Career

While we don’t know how much longer Pittsburgh Penguins center and longtime core player Evgeni Malkin will play in the NHL, it appears his international career is probably over after a ruling Tuesday by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC declared a continued ban on Russian teams, which means they will not be allowed to compete in the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The ban dates to sanctions imposed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Malkin will be 39 in August. His contract with the Penguins expires after next season — a season that will include a pause in the NHL schedule in February for the Olympics. He has not said whether he might retire after next season.

No Olympics also means Malkin will not get a chance to team up with other prominent Russian players, including all-time NHL goals leader Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.

Malkin, who has won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins, in 2020 was named to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s all-time Russia team. He has had a strong international career.

The highlights include three IIHF World Junior Championships (two gold medals, one silver, 2006 tournament MVP), four IIHF World Championships (two gold medals, 2012 tournament MVP) and three Olympics, 2006 in Turin, 2010 in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi in his native Russia.

Many NHL players had their Olympic careers shortened when the league ended its cooperation in sending it players to the Olympics after 2014, but the NHL has changed its policy for the 2026 Games.