This news wasn't a big surprise by any means. Malkin's been training with Metallurg, playing in all of their tournaments and showing very little interest in the happenings on the other side of the Pacific. Some were lead to believe that Evgeni would want to come to North America since Pittsburg has obviously made the effort to establish itself as a strong competitor in the new NHL. It seems, however, Evgeni's ties to his Russian team are tight and he refuses to desert "Magnitka" in their search for the Russian Super League Championship.
In a few preseason tournaments, Metallurg has thrived with the help of Malkin; recently winning the Tampere Cup in Finland. Last year, Malkin finished 24th in Russian League scoring. Considering the influx of NHL Superstars in the league and on every team, that is nothing to be ashamed of. Metallurg's run to the Championship was unfortunately cut short by the reining Super League winners- Omsk Avangard- in the first round of the playoffs last season. Malkin's presence on the team is vital if Magnitogorsk hopes win the Super League title this season.
I was hoping, of course, to be able to watch him this year in the NHL. Though it isn't mentioned in the interview, Malkin seems very reluctant to come to North America unless he is 100% certain he will make the NHL roster. He wants no part of the AHL, and is therefore staying in Russia to refine his (already mature) game as well as to "work on his English" (in a non English-speaking environment)...
I suppose I shouldn't mock his excuses, since Russians players in general have a very low opinion of the American Hockey League. Two Rangers prospects in Fedor Tyutin and Maxim Kondratiev left for Russia as soon as they realized the end of the lockout was nowhere in sight. Kiril Koltsov was another to return to his native country against Canuck management's orders after being demoted to the AHL. Boston Bruins' young forward Sergei Zinovyev is staying with the Russian team Kazan Ak Bars after Bruins management couldn't guarentee him a place on their NHL roster. Surprisingly, many players who have not encountered success in North America find their game in Russia and perform better than even NHL stars (as last season showed).
Evgeni Malkin will play for the Pittsburg Penguins one day certainly. My only concern is that he may be hampering his game because he still has yet to learn the North American style of hockey. I can't imagine how long his reluctance to come over the North America will last, but like many fans, I'm looking forward to the day he will skate in the NHL.
I was hoping, of course, to be able to watch him this year in the NHL. Though it isn't mentioned in the interview, Malkin seems very reluctant to come to North America unless he is 100% certain he will make the NHL roster. He wants no part of the AHL, and is therefore staying in Russia to refine his (already mature) game as well as to "work on his English" (in a non English-speaking environment)...
I suppose I shouldn't mock his excuses, since Russians players in general have a very low opinion of the American Hockey League. Two Rangers prospects in Fedor Tyutin and Maxim Kondratiev left for Russia as soon as they realized the end of the lockout was nowhere in sight. Kiril Koltsov was another to return to his native country against Canuck management's orders after being demoted to the AHL. Boston Bruins' young forward Sergei Zinovyev is staying with the Russian team Kazan Ak Bars after Bruins management couldn't guarentee him a place on their NHL roster. Surprisingly, many players who have not encountered success in North America find their game in Russia and perform better than even NHL stars (as last season showed).
Evgeni Malkin will play for the Pittsburg Penguins one day certainly. My only concern is that he may be hampering his game because he still has yet to learn the North American style of hockey. I can't imagine how long his reluctance to come over the North America will last, but like many fans, I'm looking forward to the day he will skate in the NHL.