Evgeni Malkin's summer has been cut short, and he couldn't be happier.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward is dealing with the best problem a hockey player could have, with his season being extended by a deep run in the playoffs that saw him capture his second Stanley Cup, and the impending World Cup of Hockey just a few weeks away.
"These have all been very positive emotions, so they do not interfere," Malkin said, according to NHL.com. "Every player can only dream of a short summer like mine. When you win the Stanley Cup, you just don't have any regrets, you enjoy every single day. You only feel positive emotions, and those are the ultimate pleasures. (The) short summer did not hurt me. I think, I am in pretty good shape."
Malkin will help spearhead a strong Russian contingent at the World Cup, where he'll look to add another international championship to his name after collecting World Championships in 2012 and 2014, and a World Under-18 Championship in 2004.
"Each victory slowly fills this void," Malkin said. "Every time you get a chance to defend the colors of your national team in any international tournament, whether it's the World championship, the Olympic Games, or the World Cup, it's a great honor."
Russia's first test of the tournament comes Sept. 18, when they open against Sweden.
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