The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Evgeni Malkin, the second overall selection in the 2004 Entry Draft, team general manager Ray Shero announced this morning.

Malkin, 20, was introduced to the Pittsburgh media at a press conference this morning at the Mellon Arena. The 6-3 and 192-pound center is a native of Magnitogorsk, Russia.

A bona fide star in the Russian Super League, Malkin finished third in scoring during the 2005-06 season, recording 47 points in 46 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He starred in international competition as well during the 2005-06 season. He was the second leading scorer at the World Junior Championships, recording 10 points in six games and was named the tournament's top forward and most valuable player, captaining Russia to a second place finish.

At age 19, Malkin was the youngest player on Russia's entry in the 2006 Winter Olympics, tying for second on the team with Alex Kovalev in scoring by recording six points in seven games, and he registered nine points in seven games for Russia at the 2006 World Championships. He tied for the team lead in scoring, and tied for fifth in the tournament, and was named one of Russia's top three players at the tournament.

As an 18-year old in 2004-05, Malkin ranked third on Metallurg Magnitogorsk in scoring with 32 points (12+20) in 52 games and was a teammate of current Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.