Evgeni Malkin Leaving For Russia?
During the 2004 NHL entry draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired the second overall pick from the lottery system and used it to select current superstar Evgeni Malkin.
Now, after 518 games and 632 points (240 goals and 392 assists) in a Penguins’ sweater, a rumor has surfaced that Malkin might not only leave Pittsburgh, but leave the NHL as well.
Note that during the NHL lockout of 2012-2013, Malkin did play in the KHL for Metallurg Magnitogorsk for 37 games, where he tallied 23 goals and 42 assists for a total of 65 points.
Despite signing a contract extension worth $76 million over 8 years – per CapGeek.com – Russian KHL president Alex Medvedev seems to think Malkin might be coming home soon.
#KHL prez Alex Medvedev on when we'd see Ovechkin and Malkin in KHL: 'You mean comeback to Russia? There might be good surprises in a year'
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) September 1, 2014
Losing Malkin would not only cripple the Penguins chance to win the Stanley Cup, but would open the door for others to leave. Medvedev seems to think that not only Malkin would leave, but that also Alexander Ovechkin could join him.
Realistically, I don’t see Malkin actually leaving the Penguins, but the rumor is still a scary thought for any Penguins fan.
While playing for Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin has had an injury history, but when he was out of the lineup it was obvious: the Penguins were better with him than without him.