Pittsburgh Penguins rookie centre Evgeni Malkin took part in limited contact drills in practice with his teammates Friday, and head coach Michel Therrien said the Russian star could make his NHL debut as early as next week.

Malkin, the No. 2 pick in the 2004 draft, dislocated his shoulder in a pre-season game Sept. 20. He probably will not play Saturday against Carolina, and doctors will decide whether he will play Wednesday against New Jersey, Therrien said.

``He's making some great progress,'' Therrien said. ``He's working really hard to get back into the lineup as soon as possible. We're excited about the way he's come along.''

In 2005-06, Malkin had 47 points in 46 games for Magnitogorsk in the Russian Super League and had six points in seven games for Russia at the Torino Olympics.

© The Canadian Press, 2007