Pittsburgh Penguins | Evgeny Malkin returns in September

Associated Press

The team made the announcement Friday, but Malkin never gave details about the nature of the procedure or the surgery.

Malkin injured his knee on March 16 in Boston. He missed seven weeks before returning to play in his last four games on the regular season.

Malkin further aggravated the injury before the first round in the playoffs. Russia lost games 1 and 2 against the Islanders, but had one goal and four assists in four games in the first round.

Malkin has eight goals and 20 assists in 33 games this season, helping the Penguins win the Eastern Division title.

A member of four All-Star teams and a 2012 Heart Trophy winner, Malkin turned 35 in July. He is entering the final year of his contract.

General manager Ron Hextall said he had no plans to change the core penguins of Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Christopher Letang.