Report: Penguins' Evgeni Malkin to play in Russia during NHL lockout

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will play in Russia if there's an NHL lockout. (Alexander Nemenov/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has a deal in place to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League if there is an NHL lockout, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari, citing "reports out of Russia."

The NHL's current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the owners will reportedly lock out the players if a new deal is not in place by then.

Malkin, a native of Russia, played for Magnitogorsk before coming to North America, Molinari reports.

The center had reportedly been in talks with KHL teams on a week-to-week contract during the potential lockout.