NHL players have featured at every Winter Olympics since first appearing at Nagano 1998.

But an International Olympic Committee decision to stop paying transportation and insurance costs prompted a breakdown in talks between the two organisations.

Gary Bettman, the NHL's Commissioner, announced in April that their athletes would not officially be allowed to compete at the event in South Korea.

This has disappointed Malkin, who thinks this may be one of his final opportunities to compete at the Games.

"The Russian team will be the front runner at the Games if NHL players are not participating," Malkin said, according to Russian news agency TASS.

"However, I do hope that the decision will be changed since there is still half a year ahead [of the Games].

"I really wish to play at the Olympics, since I am not that young anymore.

"I need to practice hard now in order to play decently in the NHL, be selected to the national team and then travel to the Games."

It is expected that teams will predominantly consist of minor league or European-based players who are only assembled shortly beforehand.

However, it is possible that some NHL players will insist on competing despite the lack of a break or agreement.

Organisers are still hopeful of reaching an agreement to ensure participation of players from the league.

Malkin has previously played for Russia at Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, but has never won a medal.

He has also competed at seven International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, winning two golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

Malkin is also a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, 2016 and 2017.