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Malkin Staying In Russia
by Paul on 08/26/05 at 11:33 AM ET
Comments (8)
from TSN,
According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, highly-touted Russian centre Evgeni Malkin is not expected to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins before 2006.
Malkin, the 19 year-old selected by the Penguins second overall in the 2004 NHL Draft, is under contract to his hometown team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, in the Russian Super League until 2008 and he’s made it known that he intends to play there this winter.
“My feeling is that Evgeni will want to graduate to the NHL next year,” Malkin’s agent Pat Brisson told the paper. “It makes a lot of sense for him to next year graduate to the NHL.”
While he admitted that the chance to win with a powerful Magnitogorsk team and play for the Russian national team weighed heavily in his decision, Malkin also indicated another influence in his own interview posted on RusHockey.com, telling the site, “Actually, I was ready to compete with Alexander (Ovehckin) and Sidney (Crosby) for the Calder Trophy. But my agents told me that it’d be easier to win the trophy in a year.”
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Comments
...and people wonder why teams with European captains do not win the Cup… there is a big part of your answer.
Posted by WingMan on 08/26/05 at 11:42 AM ET
Well, this is as much a problem with agents as it is the players. I hope he’ll really be competing for the Calder, whenever he actually comes.
In other Pens news, any info on Tarnstrom’s arbitration hearing today PK? I think it was scheduled for 9:00am this morning. Any verdit that you know of?
Posted by penguinsfan on 08/26/05 at 12:13 PM ET
Haven’t heard a word PF. Not even brought up by anyone.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 08/26/05 at 12:17 PM ET
Quote: “He thinks it will be easier to win the Calder next year, so this is played into his decision not to play in the NHL this year? The mindset of some of these Euros continue to amaze me.”
I don’t get it. Why not? I don’t want to be rude, but… your mindset amazes me too. Why should he give up any thoughts and play for Penguins. Is Pittsburg a Seven Heaven?
Besides to win Rookie of the Year is the awesome award. It’s like winning as SC. It stays in your resume forever.
Posted by Pete on 08/26/05 at 12:43 PM ET
It is a team game Pete, not about individual awards. An attitude like that tells me he is in it for himself, no regard for the team.
Posted by Flyer Fan on 08/26/05 at 01:12 PM ET
I hope that was taken out of context by the reporter… or translated baddly by the reporter… which is VERY LIKEY
If not, sounds like we have another Jagr headcase on the way..
Posted by Tony from Pittsburgh on 08/26/05 at 03:25 PM ET
Flyer Fan,
Got you and you might be right. On the other hand he has to repay to the Russian hockey and he just made his National team and Metallurg team stronger. They would prolly say thanks to him and praise him as a team player. 
I saw replies on TSN and a lot of people see it the way I see it. So let’s agree to disagree.
Posted by Pete on 08/26/05 at 04:13 PM ET
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The attitude of Malkin needs a re-adjustment. He thinks it will be easier to win the Calder next year, so this is played into his decision not to play in the NHL this year?
The mindset of some of these Euros continue to amaze me.
Posted by Flyer Fan on 08/26/05 at 11:39 AM ET