Ryan Wilson: Evgeni Malkin Reaffirms That His Priority Is With The Penguins And NHL Evgeni Malkin once again expresses that his desire is to stay in North America and compete in the NHL

Malkin's english is really coming along nicely.

I am score

I don't begrudge Kovi in any way for wanting to play at home. If I had the opportunity to work at home for the same pay I would do it in a heartbeat.

I don't begrudge Kovi in any way for wanting to play at home. If I had the opportunity to work at home for the same pay I would do it in a heartbeat.
- thundachunk

Would you do it 2 years after comitting to your employer for 15? After they let all the other talented employees go because they had you?

I hope he means it. There is nothing worse then a player saying one thing repeatedly then turning around to pull the cover over your head and leave. I am not saying he has done anything to prove he would be just saying this but what I am saying is it stings a lot more when I player says all the right thing and leaves instead of not saying anything and leaving. I would know lol

Would you do it 2 years after comitting to your employer for 15? After they let all the other talented employees go because they had you?
- canadianpenfan

Exactly. And lets get something clear, Ilya was playing for NJ and its not like living in NYC as a Russian is like living in Latvia for an American. Its totally different. The NYC area is a cultural mix of all nations basically. I get that he would rather play at home in Russia, but again, a lot of decisions were made and people's lives were changed because of Ilya's 15 year commitment. He basically just screwed everyone around him, especially those that made him one of the richest hockey players ever.

And I love how his coach over in the KHL was quoted to say he is a great leader. I could be wrong but commitment, sacrifice, loyalty and integrity are pretty important characteristics of leadership. Ilya has continually shown no allegiance to anything but his own selfish needs.

Would you do it 2 years after comitting to your employer for 15? After they let all the other talented employees go because they had you?
- canadianpenfan

Considering most companies can and will fire you at anytime if needed. Just to save money. Even if you've been working there for 20+ years.

Yeah, I would.

Considering most companies can and will fire you at anytime if needed. Just to save money. Even if you've been working there for 20+ years.

Yeah, I would.
- Scabeh

Getting laid off with a severence package because a company cannot afford to pay you anymore is a little different than walking out of a long term project that you and a team were 20% into.

Malkin I don't think was ever a worry, its Ovie that should concern everyone. Ovechkin hasn't won anything, hasn't even gone to a final, has regressed in quality, and is the subject of much scrutiny. He is the poster boy for underachieving in terms of leading his team to a championship. I not judging if he deserves it or not, just stating the fact that he is ridiculed a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if Ovie left for the KHL as well.

Getting laid off with a severence package because a company cannot afford to pay you anymore is a little different than walking out of a long term project that you and a team were 20% into.
- xcheckmajor

Still, people do what's best for them and their families. Companies do the same.

And not everyone gets a severence package, some are just being laid off without nothing.

Malkin I don't think was ever a worry, its Ovie that should concern everyone. Ovechkin hasn't won anything, hasn't even gone to a final, has regressed in quality, and is the subject of much scrutiny. He is the poster boy for underachieving in terms of leading his team to a championship. I not judging if he deserves it or not, just stating the fact that he is ridiculed a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if Ovie left for the KHL as well.
- xcheckmajor

didn't he just win the hart?

didn't he just win the hart?
- nova710

Yes but it's all his fault if he never won the cup.

Would you do it 2 years after comitting to your employer for 15? After they let all the other talented employees go because they had you?
- canadianpenfan

If I'm as miserable as Kovalchuk claims to be in New Jersey, then yes.

Malkin was never a worry to me. At least not for a while , when he gets old he will probably play in khl right before he retires but for now he likes the competition , his teammates and wants another cup. Wouldn't you want play alongside the best player in the world ?

Would you do it 2 years after comitting to your employer for 15? After they let all the other talented employees go because they had you?
- canadianpenfan

Yes.

You make yourself happy first. People are losing sight of this.

Yes but it's all his fault if he never won the cup.
- Scabeh

Yes, his 61 points in 58 games shows he is a true playoff underachiever. If only he would get it together like the rest of the team who play absolutely stunning in the playoffs, like green, Semin, backstrom, Laich, Carlson...oh wait.

Malkin was never a worry to me. At least not for a while , when he gets old he will probably play in khl right before he retires but for now he likes the competition , his teammates and wants another cup. Wouldn't you want play alongside the best player in the world ?
- Bradlee3

This is what makes his situation different than the likes of Kovalchuk and Ovechkin. He's not "the guy". Obviously, he is talented enough to be "the guy" on 29 other teams, but the fact that Crosby at least shares the workload (one could argue he actually bears the most of it), makes Malkin's situation a lot easier. If you were to give Kovalchuk or Ovechkin another elite player (say John Tavares for example), another guy who teams have to gameplan for, I think you'd see a difference in their attitudes. I realize Ovechkin plays with Backstrom, who I would take on my team in a second, but I still see him as a step below the elite centers in the league.

but i heard that malken is russian and russians dont want to play in the nhl they want to play in russia because he wants to be the top player and to get more money and because they dont like america also they dont play defense or checking and have no heart

Would be nice to see him go to the KHL. Oh nevermind.... then I cant watch Couturier shut him down anymore.

Would be nice to see him go to the KHL. Oh nevermind.... then I cant watch Couturier shut him down anymore.
- GOA88

He's still on the Flyers??? He doesn't fit the Flyers scheme, he's under 30.

He's still on the Flyers??? He doesn't fit the Flyers scheme, he's under 30.
- cap1681

Oh sure, take the bait that's typed slightly less improperly. I see how it is.

He's still on the Flyers??? He doesn't fit the Flyers scheme, he's under 30.
- cap1681

Thats a low blow!!

But in any case inaccurate, we have one of the youngest teams in the league and some young stars at that, Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds. just to name a few

Thats a low blow!!

But in any case inaccurate, we have one of the youngest teams in the league and some young stars at that, Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds. just to name a few
- GOA88

You have a star and a mediocre one at that. Giroux is good, the rest meh.

You have a star and a mediocre one at that. Giroux is good, the rest meh.
- Sell My Monkey

And you have a star and a petulant one at that.