Evgeni Malkin skates with Penguins for first time since offseason knee surgery

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters last week there was "no set target date" for when star center Evgeni Malkin could skate with the team as he works to recover from offseason knee surgery he had on June 4. 

Per the NHL's website, Malkin skated with teammates for the first time Monday ahead of the evening matchup at the Calgary Flames. 

"'Geno' obviously is at the next stage of his rehab process where our medical team thinks he's ready to get more players around him and participate in a non-contact fashion," Sullivan remarked. "That was the motivation to bring him on this trip, to get him around more players. We're excited about that step. That's certainly real encouraging." 

The 10-7-4 Penguins are scheduled to play five straight road contests before they host the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 11. Sullivan added that Malkin will eventually need to participate "in a full capacity, non-contact" practice before he's cleared to return to the lineup. The three-time Stanley Cup champion was always likely to miss at least the season's first two months, but it appears the Penguins could have the 35-year-old back in the mix at some point before the year concludes.