Huskies/Malamute are a very specific breed of dogs with very specific behaviours and I am not an expert in these breeds.
However, I know the following:
These breeds are the closest domestic dog to a wolf which means you need to think wolf more than dog.
Wolf facts
I will not go into too many details but hierarchy is very important for them, even if they are extremely independent.
Generally, in a wolf pack, you’ll have a pack leader(male) but also a top female. They work together to keep the pack fed, safe and basically alive. Other wolves within the pack have different roles as well.
When there’s a weaker member of the pack, wolves(contrary to some beliefs) will try to help and solve the problem because they can smell it, feel it, see it.
Your young female there is looking at the older male as a leader but can also smell/feel his problem. She clearly wants to play and communicate with him to learn the ways of her breed.
That would explain her targeting his legs(think of cancer dogs who can smell and point towards a tumour).
What can you do:
Be the pack leader, top dog or you can also take a role of mediator which we also find in wolf packs.
You need to see the behaviour before the legs get touched. A dog will go through several stages before it gets to the final behaviour you’re describing which is the last stage.
Look for her licking lips, sniffing around his face then moving towards the top of his back. These are some the signs but they all have their own ways.
Basically, it’s easier to correct a behaviour when it’s at level 1 rather than level 10.
How to correct?
Well there’s lots of ways: because your dogs are closest to wolves, I would do a wolf thing.... don’t laugh!
Going up in levels: growling, then touch the underside of a back leg or do both.
“No” works too but you have to mean it! Without anger or any emotions... just “no!”
Huskies/Malamute facts