The Semi-Official Hockey Thread... Hat trick!
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Flyers Looking to Fill Spots on Delta Dental Ice Team
Team holding tryouts on September 6
For the first time in two years, the Philadelphia Flyers are looking for energetic and charismatic females over the age of 21 to
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From: Kelowna, BC
Penguins sign Malkin for 3 years
Pittsburgh Penguins fans can start getting excited about Evgeni Malkin.
The much-hyped centre agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL team on Tuesday.
"I've always been very open in my desire to come to come to North America and be one of the best here," Malkin said through interpreter Olga McQueen.
The second overall pick at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Malkin will earn a base salary of $984,200 US but could make as much as $4 million per season if he attains all of his performance bonuses.
Malkin's deal - the terms of which were effectively set by the NHL labour agreement - mirrors the contract awarded 2006 NHL rookie of the year Alexander Ovechkin, who scored 106 points in 81 games with the Washington Capitals last season.
Ovechkin, drafted immediately ahead of Malkin, has a base salary of $984,2000 US, plus incentives worth $2.85 million US a season.
Malkin, who spent three weeks training in the Los Angeles region, bolted from his Russian pro team last month in Finland, so he could make a clandestine trip to the United States and begin preparing for his first NHL season.
Malkin, 20, stayed with his hometown Metallurg Magnitogorsk team in the Russian Super League last season because there was no transfer agreement compensating Russian teams who lost players to the NHL.
When a proposed transfer deal fell through again this year, Malkin said he was pressured into signing a one-year contract with his Russian team.
But after he fled the club on Aug. 12 in Helsinki, Malkin's agents faxed a letter of resignation to the Russian team.
Under Russian law, an employee can quit his job by giving two weeks notice, even if he is under contract.
That two-week period expired more than a week ago, and Malkin's agents have been advised by lawyers they were free to negotiate an NHL contract for him.
The Metallurg team has threatened a lawsuit seeking compensation if Malkin plays for the Penguins.
Ovechkin's former Russian team also sued after losing its star, but the case was thrown out of a U.S. District Court. The court cited a lack of jurisdiction in the matter.
Malkin admitted to be scared once he had left Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
"I definitely was a little concerned," he said.
Adding Malkin would be a major upgrade for the Penguins, who have finished last in the Atlantic Division for four consecutive seasons.
Malkin could team with 19-year-old standout Sidney Crosby to give them what figures to be one of the best 1-2 centre combinations in the NHL. They skated together on Tuesday during an informal workout.
"It is a very exciting day for the Pittsburgh Penguins and we commend Evgeni on his courage to come to Pittsburgh and live out his dream to play in the NHL," Penguins general manager Ray Shero said.
Malkin, often called the best player in the world not currently in the NHL, had two goals and six points for Russia during the Turin Olympics in February.
He led the Metallurg team with 47 points, including 21 goals, in 46 games last season.
Malkin's parents, who remained behind in Magnitogorsk, told the Russian newspaper Zhizn last week they may have to relocate to another city because of harassment received following their son's departure.
Pittsburgh Penguins fans can start getting excited about Evgeni Malkin.
The much-hyped centre agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL team on Tuesday.
"I've always been very open in my desire to come to come to North America and be one of the best here," Malkin said through interpreter Olga McQueen.
The second overall pick at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Malkin will earn a base salary of $984,200 US but could make as much as $4 million per season if he attains all of his performance bonuses.
Malkin's deal - the terms of which were effectively set by the NHL labour agreement - mirrors the contract awarded 2006 NHL rookie of the year Alexander Ovechkin, who scored 106 points in 81 games with the Washington Capitals last season.
Ovechkin, drafted immediately ahead of Malkin, has a base salary of $984,2000 US, plus incentives worth $2.85 million US a season.
Malkin, who spent three weeks training in the Los Angeles region, bolted from his Russian pro team last month in Finland, so he could make a clandestine trip to the United States and begin preparing for his first NHL season.
Malkin, 20, stayed with his hometown Metallurg Magnitogorsk team in the Russian Super League last season because there was no transfer agreement compensating Russian teams who lost players to the NHL.
When a proposed transfer deal fell through again this year, Malkin said he was pressured into signing a one-year contract with his Russian team.
But after he fled the club on Aug. 12 in Helsinki, Malkin's agents faxed a letter of resignation to the Russian team.
Under Russian law, an employee can quit his job by giving two weeks notice, even if he is under contract.
That two-week period expired more than a week ago, and Malkin's agents have been advised by lawyers they were free to negotiate an NHL contract for him.
The Metallurg team has threatened a lawsuit seeking compensation if Malkin plays for the Penguins.
Ovechkin's former Russian team also sued after losing its star, but the case was thrown out of a U.S. District Court. The court cited a lack of jurisdiction in the matter.
Malkin admitted to be scared once he had left Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
"I definitely was a little concerned," he said.
Adding Malkin would be a major upgrade for the Penguins, who have finished last in the Atlantic Division for four consecutive seasons.
Malkin could team with 19-year-old standout Sidney Crosby to give them what figures to be one of the best 1-2 centre combinations in the NHL. They skated together on Tuesday during an informal workout.
"It is a very exciting day for the Pittsburgh Penguins and we commend Evgeni on his courage to come to Pittsburgh and live out his dream to play in the NHL," Penguins general manager Ray Shero said.
Malkin, often called the best player in the world not currently in the NHL, had two goals and six points for Russia during the Turin Olympics in February.
He led the Metallurg team with 47 points, including 21 goals, in 46 games last season.
Malkin's parents, who remained behind in Magnitogorsk, told the Russian newspaper Zhizn last week they may have to relocate to another city because of harassment received following their son's departure.