MINSK, Belarus — Star forward Evgeni Malkin will join Russia at the ice hockey world championship in Minsk after his Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the NHL playoffs by the New York Rangers.
The centre had 23 goals and 49 assists in 60 games this season, and 14 points in 13 post-season games.
The International Ice Hockey Federation said on Thursday he was expected to link up on Sunday.
Malkin was a member of the Russia team that won the 2012 worlds.
Led by Alex Ovechkin, Russia has been unbeatable at the worlds, scoring four straight victories as they hope to put behind them a mortifying elimination by Finland in the quarterfinals in Sochi.