Evgeni Malkin heading back to Pittsburgh as NHL’s Phase 2 about to begin

It wasn’t exactly the Summer of George, but Evgeni Malkin had a pretty good spring for himself in Florida, decamping in isolation as the NHL sheltered in place.

But now, it’s time to jump on the PJ and head back to the Penguins. And from that caption, Geno is ready.

Malkin is coming back to Pittsburgh as the NHL looks to move into Phase 2 on Monday.

Beginning June 8 - subject to each Club’s satisfaction of all of the requirements set out in the Phase 2 Protocol - Clubs will be permitted to reopen their training facilities in their home city to allow players to participate in individualized training activities (off-ice and on-ice). Players will be participating on a voluntary basis and will be scheduled to small groups (i.e., a maximum of six Players at any one time, plus a limited number of Club staff). The various measures set out in the Phase 2 Protocol are intended to provide players with a safe and controlled environment in which to resume their conditioning. Phase 2 is not a substitute for training camp.

A specific date for training camp is still up in the air, but not likely to begin before mid-July, at the earliest. But, first things first, got to get back and get ready to get things going. Looks like Malkin is anxious to get back on the ice in Pittsburgh as soon as he can.