OTTAWA — Long after the Penguins had defeated the Senators, 3-1, at Canadian Tire Centre, a Penguins official announced that Evgeni Malkin would be available to the media.

He didn’t receive any questions about the game, though.

Malkin has made a couple of social media posts in recent days voicing his support of controversial Russian president Vladimir Putin. Alex Ovechkin and Malkin had a lengthy conversation in Washington last week. Ovechkin is a vocal Putin supporter.

Я в команде 🏒 #putinteam

— Evgeni Malkin (@malkin71_) November 15, 2017

“It’s not like me or Ovi is the right-hand (man) for Putin,” Malkin said. “We just try to support him because in 2018, we have the World Cup in Russia. They have elections, too. It’s a tough year. We want to be together and to support him.”

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Russia will host FIFA’s World Cup tournament in June and July of 2018.

Malkin is unhappy that NHL players won’t be able to participate in the Olympics in South Korea. He explained that he’s eager to support Russian athletics in every possible manner.

“It’s a tough time right now about the Olympics, what’s going on,” he said. “About doping. It’s a tough situation. I just want to support, not just the president, I want to support (all) athletics and support my country.”

He has played in three previous Olympics. NHL players won’t be participating in these Olympics, which Malkin, among many other NHL players, is unhappy about.

“Not just me,” Malkin said. “All of us. It’s our dream. I played three times. It’s the best time ever. Not just hockey players. You see ski guys, everyone, figure skaters. It’s amazing. You can talk with everyone. We stay in one village. It’s an amazing time. Just two weeks. It’s good for everyone. An amazing time. But we never won. It’s maybe my last chance. It’s tough that we’re not going.”

Malkin expanded slightly on Putin’s love for hockey. He said he’s met with Putin and has an appreciation for how much the Russian president loves the game.

Malkin also said that sports and politics are likely more closely aligned in Russia than in other countries.

“Probably, yes,” Malkin said. “Not all. I know a couple of guys who are close to Putin. I know him. I’ve met him a couple of times. I have a great life. We’ve played hockey together. It’s amazing. He plays hockey a lot, probably every week. I don’t know what’s going on here, (if Americans) don’t like him or like him. I’m not trying to read everything. I just want to support him.”

(Photo credit: Aleksey Nikolskyi/AFP/GettyImages)