The NHL ranked the Pittsburgh Penguins' selection of Evgeni Malkin in 2004 as a top-60 draft pick of all-time.

The NHL is getting ready to host their 60^th entry draft and they decided to celebrate by ranking the top 60 draft picks of all-time; a list there are sure to be a few Pittsburgh Penguins found on.

Since their creation in 1967, the Penguins have made 463 selections, including some of the biggest names to ever play hockey.

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The NHL will release their list in parts, and started with ranks 60-51, which is where Evgeni Malkin can be found.

Malkin slotted in as the 58^th greatest draft pick of all-time according to the NHL.

In 2004, Malkin was selected second overall by the Penguins before the NHL entered the 2004-05 lockout.

Malkin did not play the following 2005-06 season, but did finally break away from Russia to play his rookie year in 2006-07 where he became the second Penguin to ever win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

In his 17-year career, Malkin has blossomed into one of the best Penguins players of all time, putting up 471 goals and 758 assists for 1,229 points in 1,063 games played.

"Malkin has given the Pittsburgh Penguins immense value for the No. 2 pick of the 2004 NHL Draft. The center has won the Stanley Cup three times. He has won the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring champion twice. He has won the Calder Trophy, the Hart Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy. Only 18 players in NHL history have averaged more points per game in the regular season than Malkin has at 1.16 (minimum 50 games), and he has averaged 1.02 points per game in the playoffs." - Nicholas J. Cotsonika, NHL

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The Penguins may have had an easy decision by taking Malkin at No. 2 overall, but his longevity and production has separated him from the pack as one of the best to ever play.

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