Evgeni Malkin Turns 40: A Look at Penguins Legends Over 40

Today marks a significant milestone for Evgeni Malkin as he celebrates his 40th birthday, joining a rarefied group of players who have donned the Pittsburgh Penguins jersey past the age of 40. Malkin has re-signed for another season, and he will become the seventh player in franchise history to reach this age while still contributing on the ice. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the players who have made their mark as Penguins in their quadragenarian years.

The journey begins with the legendary Tim Horton, a name now synonymous with coffee. Horton kicked off his professional career with the Pittsburgh Hornets in 1949 before making his NHL debut with the Penguins during the 1971-72 season. At 41, he scored two goals and added nine assists in 44 games from the blue line. Tragically, Horton passed away in a car accident in 1974 at the age of 44, but his legacy lives on through the restaurant he founded.

Another original Penguin, Gene Schinkel, joined the team for its inaugural 1967-68 season, just shy of 35 years old. He played a pivotal role for the Penguins until 1973, turning 40 early in his final season. Schinkel scored 11 goals and registered 21 points in 42 games, also stepping into a coaching role during that season. He later returned to the bench for a brief stint in 1976-77.

Hall of Famer Joe Mullen, affectionately known as “Slippery Rock Joe,” turned 40 in late February 1997 during his final NHL season. After returning to the Penguins for the 1996-97 season, he notched 22 points, primarily as a 39-year-old, before making a brief playoff appearance that year, marking his final NHL game.

Mario Lemieux, an icon of the franchise, celebrated his 40th birthday in October 2005. However, he was forced to retire by December due to a heart condition. Despite the brevity of his 40+ career, Lemieux managed to accumulate 22 points in 26 games during his last season, passing the torch to a young Sidney Crosby.

Mark Recchi’s tenure with the Penguins in 2007-08 is noteworthy, although he never played for the team after turning 40. He struggled initially, scoring only two goals in 19 games before being claimed off waivers by Atlanta. Remarkably, Recchi rejuvenated his career, finishing with 61 points over his final two seasons, culminating in a championship with the Bruins in 2011.

Gary Roberts, a fan favorite and early blogosphere legend, joined the Penguins at the 2007 trade deadline already at 40. He scored 20 goals and 42 points between Florida and Pittsburgh that season, returning for another year before injuries limited him to 15 points in his final regular season.

Perhaps the quintessential veteran, Matt Cullen signed with the Penguins at 39 and contributed to their Stanley Cup victory in 2016. He returned for the 2016-17 season, turning 40 early in the campaign and producing 31 points. Cullen even made a return to Pittsburgh for one last season in 2018-19, becoming the oldest player to skate for the Penguins.

Marc-André Fleury, the franchise’s all-time goaltending great, capped off his career with a preseason game for the Penguins at age 40. While it may not fully count in a traditional sense, his impact on the franchise is undeniable. Fleury was instrumental in three Stanley Cup victories and had a successful second act with the Vegas Golden Knights.

As Malkin joins this illustrious group, he has the chance to set the record for most points in a season as a 40+ year old Penguin, with Cullen’s 31 points currently leading the way. With Kris Letang still under contract into his 40s and Sidney Crosby potentially following suit, Malkin may not be alone in this remarkable chapter of Penguins history.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.