Malkin saga

Jay1982 · Guru

Malkin saga

AB Habman · Guru

I like the Pens and hope it works out to their favor.

NSHabsFan · Member

Not sure, but I would imagine that if it is the mob that is after you, you may not want to go on the run...

Just a thought.

-- Edited by NSHabsFan at 15:14, 2006-08-13

-- Edited by NSHabsFan at 15:14, 2006-08-13

AB Habman · Guru

NSHabsFan wrote:

Not sure, but I would imagine that if it is the mob that is after you, you may not want to go on the run... Just a thought. -- Edited by NSHabsFan at 15:14, 2006-08-13

-- Edited by NSHabsFan at 15:14, 2006-08-13

Sad isn't it? These kids just want to get on with their career but unfortunately the need to fight for their freedom has to be at the forefront.

heet_150 · Guru

Almost a throw-back to the days of Petr Klima and the popularity of the phrase - "I defect."

Nazarreth · Newbie

I just don't understand why go through the trouble of

giving his 2 weeks notice
firing his agent and going back to his old agent
signing a 1 year contract with the team
show up to training camp
and then leave...

I don't know... unless there is some under handed stuff going on, is it possible that this guy is going to be a trouble maker for the Pittsburgh GM?

Naz

beakermania · Senior Member

Nazarreth wrote:

I just don't understand why go through the trouble of giving his 2 weeks notice firing his agent and going back to his old agent signing a 1 year contract with the team show up to training camp and then leave... I don't know... unless there is some under handed stuff going on, is it possible that this guy is going to be a trouble maker for the Pittsburgh GM? Naz

One reason I have heard for explaining all the trouble is that he was unable to leave Russia on his own. He needed to attend the teams training camp which is in Finland, and leave from there. It might be easier to defect from Finland then from Russia in his case. Just speculation but it seems to make sense given the circumstances.

heet_150 · Guru

beakermania wrote:

It might be easier to defect from Finland then from Russia in his case.

That's the thing, it's supposed to be the New Russia. No defecting required.

beakermania · Senior Member

A fact of life in the New Russia today is still the Mob... Escaping them isn't always easy or pleasant.

His club team has been playing games with him for the last year, promising him last season that if he stayed for one more year that he could leave in 2006-07, now they are promising the same thing this year. They were determined to keep him in the fold, and there are many rumours as to what extent they would go to, some saying they even told russian airports to not let him leave the country without their permission.

-- Edited by beakermania at 15:45, 2006-08-14

heet_150 · Guru

Was it Pavel Bure that was last rumoured to be possibly extorted by the mob? I can just barely remember something about it coming out publicly.

Nil d · Guru

Update on the Malkin story. (Note: Pat Brisson is also Sidney Crosby's agent. Given that Malkin belongs to Pittsburgh, I wonder if that's why he went back to him?)

Russian hockey star 'safe': agents
Last Updated Mon, 14 Aug 2006 17:50:53 EDT

CBC Sports

Promising hockey star Evgeni Malkin, who disappeared days after agreeing to a new deal with his Russian club, is safe, his North American agents said Monday.

Russian hockey phenom Evgeni Malkin controls the puck during a world championship qualifying game last May in Riga, Latvia. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Malkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins' first-round draft pick in 2004, mysteriously left his Russian Super League team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, on Saturday after arriving in Helsinki, Finland, for a training camp.

According to reports, Malkin left with his belongings and passport and, possibly, a Canadian visa.

Malkin's former Russian agent, Sergei Isakov, told the newspaper Soviet Sports his client had the visa before leaving for Finland.

Malkin's North American agents, J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson, would not confirm that or say where the Russian star is, though they believe he is out of harm's way.

"I can tell you I think he is safe, but I cannot comment on anything else," said Brisson.

Penguins vice-president Tom McMillan had no comment on Malkin when contacted by the Associated Press on Monday.

Early last week, Malkin and Metallurg annulled a previous contract that would have secured his services through April 2008. He instead signed a one-year deal.

The talented Russian, 20, has often stated a desire to play in the NHL. But the Russian club refused to sign a transfer agreement with the NHL earlier this month.

"His wish is to play in the NHL, and in Pittsburgh," Barry said last week.

"We will continue to talk to him about his future, and we will decide the best course for him at this time."

Malkin was the second player selected in the 2004 draft, behind fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin, who beat Pittsburgh Penguin Sidney Crosby to win the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie.

barry33 · Guru

Malkin WILL play in Pittsburgh this season. THis now gives the Pens the best 1-2 center combination in the league. Wow! Can you imagine?!? Crosby and Malkin?! I mean Malkin your number 2 center?? Compare it to Montreal. Koivu (who may or may not play) and Ribiero.

Fatherhab · Senior Member

Barry Barry Barry- there is no comparison to be made, Koivu was never a first overall (21st) draft choice. Now would you prefer the Habs throw it for a few seasons so they too, could have the next 2 or 3 1st overall draft choices. I could just imagine the squealing that would go on here then!

barry33 · Guru

Fatherhab wrote:

Barry Barry Barry- there is no comparison to be made, Koivu was never a first overall (21st) draft choice. Now would you prefer the Habs throw it for a few seasons so they too, could have the next 2 or 3 1st overall draft choices. I could just imagine the squealing that would go on here then!

LOL..no I am not suggesting that at all. Unfortunately, other than Crobsy, Malkin, and Stahl, the Pens do not have much at all. As good as those 3 are, and tehy will singlehandedly win a few games, they are not eneough to turn that team around in one season. But they are a good base. I guess I am just saying that it would be nice to have those 2 as your first 2 centers (Duhhh eh?)

Jay1982 · Guru

I'd rather have a bunch of good players, than a few superstars on the team mixed in with crap players. Ala Kovalachuk/Hossa show.

beakermania · Senior Member

Lets not forget Fleury in the nets.

Pittsburgh has a nice start on their future. If they could just get some D prospects they'd be great...

MC Girl · Guru

Malkin now in Los Angeles

TSN.ca Staff

8/17/2006 4:28:38 PM

Evgeni Malkin is in Los Angeles with his agents JP Barry and Pat Brisson.

Malkin is seeking counsel to determine how he can join the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"It's been a difficult week", Barry told TSN.

Barry has been with Malkin since the pair connected at an airport in Helsinki, Finland on Saturday, at which point they went into lockdown in a nearby apartment to await Malkin's visa clearance.

The 20-year-old requested Barry meet him in Helsinki because he knew this would be his first opportunity to control his own passport. Upon receiving the passport in the airport Malkin quickly slipped away from his team, found Barry and was whisked into hiding.

if Magnitogorsk controlled Evgeni's passport and this was his first opportunity he could obtain his passport and leave the team," Barry added.

All of the secrecy was necessary to ensure Magnitogorsk officials wouldn't track Malkin down while he waited for the U.S. embassy in Helsinki to process an American visa.

That visa arrived midday on Wednesday and within two hours Malkin and Barry boarded an airplane bound for the United States.

CAA sports filed a two-week notification to terminate Malkin's contract with Magnitogorsk on Sunday. In early July a similar notice was served in an effort to break away from his original agreement.

It is not certain what the next step in this process will be, including Malkin's immediate status with the Penguins.

A team of lawyers will soon be brought on board to determine a direction.

What is known is that Evgeni Malkin is healthy and very eager to put the politics of this saga behind him.

Malkin is currently working out with a number of pro hockey players at the Kings' practice facility in Los Angeles.

Vyacheslav Bykov, Russia's national head coach, hopes Malkin will still play for his country.

''As a national team head coach I would like to count on him, and I was sure about his participation in the next year's World Championship,'' Bykov told Sport Express.

''I think he is a strong player and he has all the chances to join the team,'' Bykov added.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 17:22, 2006-08-17

MC Girl · Guru

The Saga Concludes?

TSN.ca Staff

8/25/2006 7:33:36 PM

Evgeni Malkin has spent the past week in Los Angeles preparing for his first NHL training camp.

The much-heralded prospect expects to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins in early September following the Labour Day long weekend and intends on be on the ice when the team opens rookie camp on Sept. 7.

At least that's the plan that Malkin, the Penguins and the NHL is following.

Malkin's Russian Super League team Magnitogorsk may have other ideas.

Russian Federation head Vladislav Tretiak had scheduled a meeting with the National Hockey League in Chicago on Monday. However, when Tretiak made it clear he would not discuss the resolution of the Malkin situation, the NHL cancelled the meeting.

Meanwhile, Magnitogorsk officials have reached out to the league to encourage the two sides engage in a settlement negotiation. The league may talk, but based on the reality the other international federations signed off on the current transfer agreement, there isn't much the NHL can offer without creating unrest around the hockey world.

Magnitogorsk general manager Gennady Velichkin put out a press release proporting false rumours stirred up by North American media which in turn created a giant controversy.

Velichkin is hoping his words set the record straight in an effort to protect the image of Russian hockey officials and the country in general.

As for the fight over Malkin, it appears that battle may already be over.

In other offseason news, unrestricted free agent J.P. Dumont has four teams vying for his services, but recognizes he has time to make a decision on where he will spend the next year or two. Detroit is still rumoured to be a contender for the 28-year-old winger.

Forward Anson Carter insists he will not be a "bargain buy," and also intends on playing the waiting game until a team surfaces willing to pay at least $2.5 million per year for at least two years.

The only problem is that most teams are done their offseason transactions. They've established their budgets and have spent their money. But for a 33-goal scorer, someone will surely find the room.

Finally, Pat Quinn is about to join the Dallas Stars as a consultant to both the Stars coaching staff and general manager Doug Armstrong.

Unless something changes, his role will be similar to the one Scotty Bowman occupies with the Red Wings.

His part-time position with Dallas does not jeopardize the money contractually owed to him by the Leafs.

For TSN.ca, I'm Darren Dreger.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 21:53, 2006-08-25

MC Girl · Guru

Penguins, Malkin look to wrap up deal

Associated Press

9/4/2006 5:52:08 PM

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Evgeni Malkin is about to become a Pittsburgh Penguins player.

Malkin has spent three weeks training in the Los Angeles region, but is expected to sign with the Penguins on Tuesday - two days before the start of rookie training camp.

Malkin's agents said last week they would open contract talks early this week, and the Penguins are planning a news conference Tuesday to announce the signing.

Malkin, the No. 2 pick in the 2004 draft, sneaked away from his Russian pro team last month in Finland so he could make a clandestine trip to the United States and begin preparing for his first NHL season.

Malkin's contract terms are effectively set by the NHL labour agreement, so he is expected to sign a deal identical to that reached by last season's rookie of the year, Alexander Ovechkin.

Ovechkin, drafted immediately ahead of Malkin, has a base salary of $984,2000, plus incentives worth $2.85 million a season. Ovechkin's contract includes $850,000 in relatively easy-to-reach incentives and another $2 million in additional bonuses such as winning a major league award.

Pat Brisson, one of Malkin's agents, said the negotiations would take ``only a few minutes'' because Malkin's deal would duplicate Ovechkin's.

Malkin, then 19, stayed with his hometown Metallurg Magnitogorsk team in the Russian Super League last season because there was no transfer agreement compensating Russian teams who lost players to the NHL.

When a proposed transfer deal fell through again this year, Malkin said he was pressured into signing a one-year contract with his Russian team. But after he bolted from the club on Aug. 12 in Helsinki, Malkin's agents faxed a letter of resignation to the Russian team.

Under Russian law, an employee can quit his job by giving two weeks' notice, even if he is under contract.

That two-week period expired more than a week ago, and Malkin's agents have been advised by lawyers they were free to negotiate an NHL contract for him. The Metallurg team has threatened a lawsuit seeking compensation if Malkin plays for the Penguins.

Ovechkin's former Russian team also sued after losing its star, but the case was thrown out of a U.S. District Court that cited a lack of jurisdiction in the matter.

Adding Malkin would be a major upgrade for the Penguins, who have finished last in the Atlantic Division for four consecutive seasons. Malkin could team with 19-year-old Sidney Crosby to give them what figures to be one of the best 1-2 centre combinations in the NHL.

Malkin, often called the best player in the world not currently in the NHL, had two goals and six points for Russia during the Turin Olympics in February. He led the Metallurg team with 47 points, including 21 goals, in 46 games last season.

Malkin's parents, who remained behind in Magnitogorsk, told the Russian newspaper Zhizn last week they may have to relocate to another city because of harassment received following their son's departure.

-- Edited by MC Girl at 20:14, 2006-09-04