Evgeni Malkin 'Safe', Awaiting Crosby's Great Passes
Oh boy, this whole Evgeni Malkin saga has a Cold War-era feel to it, only without the actual defection, marriage to a 45-year old named Ethel, and KGB agents trying to assassinate the guy before he reaches North America.
It's amazing how much BS this kid has to go through to play for the Pens. Who cares if the Russians haven't signed an IIHF agreement, what can they REALLY do to stop Malkin from playing for the Pens? Would a US court tell the Pens he couldn't play for them? Not bloodly likely.
From CBC Sports
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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.
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."
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It's amazing how much BS this kid has to go through to play for the Pens. Who cares if the Russians haven't signed an IIHF agreement, what can they REALLY do to stop Malkin from playing for the Pens? Would a US court tell the Pens he couldn't play for them? Not bloodly likely.
From 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.
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."
---
posted by Unknown at 10:28 PM
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