Evgeni Malkin

[TBLfan 25]

With Ovechkin and Crosby hitting 100 points being two of the best rookies coming in at the same time; how do you think second year Crosby and Malkin will play together? I hear that Malkin is supposed to be better than Ovechkin even though he's younger... What do you guys think?

[Chadd 916]

The only people I hear talking about Malkin being better are Penguin fans.

[jrhky36 1]

he played extermely well in the olympics. was more than able to hold his own.

[gp3r 0]

I think Malkin might be a more complete player than Ovechkin, but not as exciting. Seeing him play at the olympics, he was pretty good, better than many other players on the russian team. I don't think I ever saw AO play on penality killing, but Malkin did at the olympics(that tells me he has a good defensive game, which really pleases coaches).

From what I heard, and saw, Malkin might be more of a playmaker type of player. One thing is sure, he has crazy hands, and is very fast.

I can't wait to see who the pens are gonna draft this year (Toews, Johnson, Kessel), personnally I would take Johnson, since they have to start building that defense if they want, someday, with another cup.

Question: Next year, if they do play on the same line(which I don't think they will), who would play center, Crosby or Malkin?

[cabreezy 0]

The only people I hear talking about Malkin being better are Penguin fans.

You're damn right :)

been sporting my malkin russia nike swift jersey at least once a week, i'm anticipating it!

[McCabe24 0]

Ovechkin is proven in the NHL, no way can you say Malkin is better at this point.

Regardless, the only negative I could bring up about Malkin would be his ability to be strong on the puck against NHLers. He will be awesome when his body fills out though.

Crosby and Malkin shouldn't play on the same line because both are playmaking centers. Crosby was able to play with Pouliout, another center, in the Q, however.

[Chadd 916]

Ovechkin is proven in the NHL, no way can you say Malkin is better at this point.

Regardless, the only negative I could bring up about Malkin would be his ability to be strong on the puck against NHLers. He will be awesome when his body fills out though.

Crosby and Malkin shouldn't play on the same line because both are playmaking centers. Crosby was able to play with Pouliout, another center, in the Q, however.

It's easier to score on the wing when you don't have to play as much defense

[cabreezy 0]

Ovechkin is proven in the NHL, no way can you say Malkin is better at this point.

Regardless, the only negative I could bring up about Malkin would be his ability to be strong on the puck against NHLers.  He will be awesome when his body fills out though.

Crosby and Malkin shouldn't play on the same line because both are playmaking centers.  Crosby was able to play with Pouliout, another center, in the Q, however.

Yeah...Pittsburgh should look for a shooter this summer- if they have the funds. Wonder if Straka or Nylander are available

Agreed they need a finisher and they need disciplined positional players who can play a smart game.

[kkancho 6]

Oh good, I'm not the only one who heard that Malkin was better than Ovechkin. It's hard to say that now because Ovechkin's been one of the most dominant players in the nhl this season but if he's even almost as good as ovechkin, pens should be a damn exciting team to watch. but.. is malkin playing for the pens next season for sure?

[milbs06 0]

malkin will be better than ovechkin especially if hes playing with crosby..they will be fun to watch next year

[TBLfan 25]

I could definitely see them trying to put both of them(Crosby and Malkin) on the same line, if not only for PPs.

I also heard that Recci is planning on going back to pittsburg to finish his career. If they manage to pick up some defense Pittsburg is going to be a very good team very fast.

[mik3 1]

The only people I hear talking about Malkin being better are Penguin fans.

Pretty much everyone covering the Olympics said so.

[Chadd 916]

The only people I hear talking about Malkin being better are Penguin fans.

Pretty much everyone covering the Olympics said so.

The US announcers said he was going to be very good and might be every bit as good as Crosby or Ovechkin.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I thought malkin had 2 years left on his russian contract, with no get out clause. The only way he would be here is if the russians sign the IIHF agreement, which from what I read, they were close to doing recently, but have heard nothing since

[Patrick67 1]

He should just insist on playing with AO in Washington, so they could score lot's of highlight reel goals, drink vodka and rent house to party like in american movie.... :lol:

[sk8n 0]

TBLFan,

I hope Recchi returning to the Penguins is just a rumor. I was personally happy as a Pens fan when they traded him to the Canes. I don't think he meshed well with Crosby and it's interesting to look at Crosby's stats since he left.

With Recchi: 1.11 PPG, -10

Since Trade: 1.72 PPG, +9

Interesting that Recchi's +/- has even gotten worse since he joined the Canes; he has gone from -28 to -35 which I believe is dead last in the NHL.

[TBLfan 25]

I just heard that Recci wants to finish his career in Pitt and they want him there.

I don't know but Recci might only be getting limited shifts in Carolina(maybe a lot of pk shifts) because i really haven't seen him play much when we play the canes.

[Chadd 916]

I just heard that Recci wants to finish his career in Pitt and they want him there.

I don't know but Recci might only be getting limited shifts in Carolina(maybe a lot of pk shifts) because i really haven't seen him play much when we play the canes.

Depends on who the new GM will be. Craig Patrick wants him back, we'll see if the new guy does too.

[BushLeagueDangler08 0]

I think Malkin might be a more complete player than Ovechkin, but not as exciting. Seeing him play at the olympics, he was pretty good, better than many other players on the russian team. I don't think I ever saw AO play on penality killing, but Malkin did at the olympics(that tells me he has a good defensive game, which really pleases coaches).

From what I heard, and saw, Malkin might be more of a playmaker type of player. One thing is sure, he has crazy hands, and is very fast.

I can't wait to see who the pens are gonna draft this year (Toews, Johnson, Kessel), personnally I would take Johnson, since they have to start building that defense if they want, someday, with another cup.

Question: Next year, if they do play on the same line(which I don't think they will), who would play center, Crosby or Malkin?

Correct me if Im wrong, but Johnson is already drafted by Carolina

[QandA 0]

Jack Johnson was drafted last year, he's talkin' about Erik Johnson, ranke no. 1 right now.

[BushLeagueDangler08 0]

Alright thanks, yeah now that you mention it I remember seeing that online. He was the one on USA right?

[cds 0]

Alright thanks, yeah now that you mention it I remember seeing that online. He was the one on USA right?

They both were on the most recent WJC team.

[Cavs019 708]

And they were both dirtbags....

[mik3 1]

They're no Downie.

But, about Recci, he's playing on the 2nd/3rd line with Weight, he gets regular shifts.

And chances are Malkin will walk away with the Calder trophy next year if he comes over.

[Adam91 0]

Well it doesn't look like he's going to have any competition from Johnson... Jack Johnson that is. The guy doesn't seem to be in to be a rush to leave U of Michigan. He was even offered a spot on the Canes roster for the playoffs.