Working vacation in Russia over, NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin ready to get back to work with Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) is checked by Brandon Sutter during the NHL hockey team's practice in Pittsburgh on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71), of Russia, takes a break during an NHL hockey practice at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

PITTSBURGH – While the rest of his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates got taped up before practice on Tuesday, Evgeni Malkin ducked off to the side and picked up a couple of personal items that'd been waiting for him during his four-month working vacation in his native Russia.

You know, just the Hart Trophy for being named the NHL's Most Valuable Player last season. Oh, and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in scoring, too.

Forgive Malkin if he hadn't bothered collecting two of the most hallowed awards earlier. The whole individual award thing isn't really his deal.

To be honest, the 26-year-old has his sights set on something a little more cherished this spring.