Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Evgeni Malkin on the Olympics and Alexander Ovechkin + Day with the Cup
July 27, 2017, 12:36 PM ET [51 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
It's no secret that the NHL is heading towards another lockout in 2020. The easiest tell is that all the big contracts being signed now are being done through signing bonuses to avoid losing out on their money when the league shuts down.

Another touchy subject is the player's ability to participate in the Olympic games. As it stands right now the NHL players will not be heading to South Korea to compete for a Gold Medal. The NHL's now and future megastar is not pleased.




He's not alone. There are many players who love playing for their country on the world's biggest sporting stage. Some players express their discontent more than others, but I bet the NHL's best players all feel the same way.

That includes players like Evgeni Malkin. According to one report he is going to sit down with the "Big Boss" and discuss his Olympic participation




I'm not going to post the entire article, but here are some translated parts of note:

Evgeni Malkin will meet with the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins Mario Lemieux for the 2018 Olympics in order to know his position.

After the impasse in negotiations between the National Hockey League and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) this spring, the Russian striker preferred not to discuss the issue with the big boss in order to focus on the Club in the playoffs before winning the Stanley Cup.

"I thought I would talk to him, but I thought it was better to wait just before the Games, possibly at Christmas or after New Year's Day," Malkin told Soviet Sport.

"It will be difficult to go if the league refuses. Mario may not be able to influence their decision. But I want to talk to the owners, "he warned.


There's nothing over the top about the comments. Malkin wants to speak to his boss in order to know what his options are. Personally, I hope he gets to go if that is what he wants to do, but it isn't going to be as simple as that. Even if Mario gave him his blessing I'm sure the league will try to institute team based punishments to the franchises that facilitate top end players leaving during an active NHL game schedule.

Evgeni Malkin also was quoted on Alex Ovechkin




Hard to disagree with the first part. You saw how easily a team can be mismanaged or destroyed by bad goaltending in the 2010-15 portion of the Crosby and Malkin era. The Washington Capitals were a powerhouse and because Jaro Halak played out of his mind in one series they pretended like their style of play was the problem and pretended they were a defensive team for a few years. That detour probably cost them a legit shot at a Stanley Cup. With the Penguins floundering during that time the Eastern Conference was wide open.

The second part of that is just Malkin being kind. Ovechkin does not have everything ahead of him. The Capitals have taken a sizable step backwards this offseason and he will be 32 when the season begins in October.

In keeping with the Evgeni Malkin theme today is his day with the Stanley Cup.








Have a great day, Geno.



Thanks for reading!
Join the Discussion: » 51 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ryan Wilson
» Penguins news and notes
» Getting your Penguins fix
» My thoughts on Penguins thoughts
» It's their fault
» Still alive, for now