Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin named best Russian player for 2017

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin (71), has been named the best Russian hockey player for 2017. (Nick Wass/AP)

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has won the Kharlamov Trophy for being the best Russian hockey player in 2017. It is Malkin’s second time winning the award.

Malkin was a key player in the Penguins’ run to a second straight Stanley Cup this past season. With 33 goals and 72 points, he was second to only Sidney Crosby in regular-season scoring on the team.

Injuries limited Malkin to only 62 games in 2016-17 but his 1.16 points per game led all Russian NHL skaters.

In the playoffs, Malkin led all players with 28 points, including 10 goals. He finished second behind Crosby in votes for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Malkin last won the Kharlamov Trophy in 2012. Past winners include Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Artemi Panarin.

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