Malkin

[HfxMoose]

This is the best thing about Malkin --- he really does have the potential to be better than Crosby.

I don't think anyone seriously would argue that Malkin is better now; but it's not a stretch to say they're already in the same ballpark.
Thing is...like a Spezza, or a Thornton, Malkin's a bigger player who takes a much longer to time to fully develop.
When all is said and done, it wouldn't suprise me if Malkin ended up being better than Ovechkin & Crosby.

jeez he must have really improved over the last year or so. I know that he is going to be a special player but he has been really overshadowed by Ovechkin and Crosby.

 

[KariyaIsGod*]

jeez he must have really improved over the last year or so. I know that he is going to be a special player but he has been really overshadowed by Ovechkin and Crosby.

No.

He has the potential top be better than them. On the other hand, they have just as much potential and could be better than Malkin. Crosby has the highest ceiling, but will he reach it? Who knows.

 

[MOGiLNY]

I would take Malkin over Crosby.

I think skillwise, Malkin is as good a playmaker as Crosby is, he can also pull off the dekes like Crosby can, and he's shown that he has a pretty good wrist shot. I think in this department, the two are pretty close in and objectively, I don't think anyone can say who's better.

Where you can say who is better, is probably one on one as I doubt Malkin can deke out Theodore or Esche on a breakaway the same way that Crosby's done it, but the area where Malkin has a big advantage in is his size. Malkin is 6'3 and is a big physical presence. The kind of presence that Crosby will never be able to deliver because he's simply smaller.

I think this is the big difference between the two, and I think it will prove to be as an advantage to Malkin. That's why I would take Malkin over Crosby..

 

[tom_servo]

As a Pens fan, I want to stay cautiously optimistic about Malkin, because his game may not translate to the NHL as easily as Ovechkin's.

But, I'd like to know why Malkin carries the reputation of a guy who struggles to finish plays. Because the clips I've seen show some laser-guided wristers and slappers. Not to mention that he leads the RSL in goalscoring.

 

[MOGiLNY]

I too remember the reports of Malkin struggling to finish plays, but I think all of those have been made before last year's WJC. Since then Malkin's scored some goals for team Russia at the world championships, euro tour, this WJC (4 goals in 4 games) and as you said, the RSL where he is actually tied for 2nd in goals in the league..

I guess Malkin's improved his shot since then?

 

[Rob]

Imagine if Pittsburg wins the draft lottery and gets Kessel as well? Could happen.

 

[Slitty]

malkin is highly overrated on these boards.i've seen him play many times.no way would he get crosby's no1 centre spot.i guess malkin would be named pittsburgh's captian too??? malkin isn't in ovechkins league either.he's a budding superstar but not like crosby and ovechkin.these 2 will fight for art ross trophy's for many years to come.malkin will be a sundin type.IMO.

He isnt a budding superstar, he is currently a superstar at 19. He is better than Ovechkin at some thing and worse at others... yet overall to help your team win both right now and in the future, Malkin is the better player than Ovechkin.

 

[Metallian*]

The only way Malkin would have been Pittsburgh's number one center, is if Crosby was playing on his wing...

Politics will have nothing to do with it, they will play the better player.

That said, I wouldnt be surpised if Crosby was moved to the wing so that Malkin and him could be the Lemieux-Jagr combo of the future

 

[Metallian*]

Imagine if Pittsburg wins the draft lottery and gets Kessel as well? Could happen.

Interesting...but....would they draft Kessell? Or would they draft Eric Johnson?

We all know how much Pittsburgh needs a legit #1 D more than another scoring threat up-front

 

[Slitty]

Politics, leadership abilities, standing with the team...

Think Yzerman-Fedorov, some, including Fedorov himself would tell you that he was the better player, but always took the #2 seat and played defense.

 

[Metallian*]

Politics, leadership abilities, standing with the team...

Think Yzerman-Fedorov, some, including Fedorov himself would tell you that he was the better player, but always took the #2 seat and played defense.

Crosby can play wing, and isnt as good a center as Malkin

I think Therien would do whats in the best interest of making the team win, not for boosting Crosby's ego

 

[Siberian]

Between Malkin, Ovechkin and Crosby I would rate Malkin number one, Ovechkin number two and Crosby number three. All three are phenomenal players but Malkin is already the better amongst them even without playing a single game in NHL. Malkin might not have a such quick start in NHL when he starts but he should be more valuable to his team. At 6-4 he is already smoother skater than Fedorov ever was, he is already the full package. I know it is hard to imagine that he is better than Ovechkin simply because Ovechkin is THAT GOOD, but he really is. When he is on the ice he makes the other 4 players so much better instantly.

For me there is a way to compare these players is if they all played in Russia. If they did Malkin would still be number one point getter, Ovechkin would have probably been top 5 and Crosby top 10 or top 15.

 

[Bruin Stain]

He isnt a budding superstar, he is currently a superstar at 19. He is better than Ovechkin at some thing and worse at others... yet overall to help your team win both right now and in the future, Malkin is the better player than Ovechkin.

The only reason Malkin is outscoring Ovechkin from last year is because the RSL isn't full of NHL superstars. Untill he plays against the best men in the world on a constant basis and dominates them, he is a budding superstar.He can't even dominate his own age group at the WJC. Tosay he's the next mario is laughable.(sombody said that around here along with jack johnson being the next bobby orr ). his goal scoring is nowhere near ovechkins.and his vision doesn't even come close to crosbys.if you were to put crosby in the wjc's next year he will be 19, same age as malkin and i would be shocked if he didn't dominate the tourney in scoring.

 

[Kaizer]

Ok, lets have some fun

The only reason Malkin is outscoring Ovechkin from last year is because the RSL isn't full of NHL superstars.

First, scoring in Russia is lower this year than year before.
Second, when Ovechkin was 18 he had 23 in 53. When Malkin was 18 he played in league full of NHL superstars and had 32 in 52.
Third, Ovechkin after 4 full seasons in RSL had 36 goals. Malkin after 2 and half has 30 goals.

He can't even dominate his own age group at the WJC.

He dominated against National Teams (they aren't Olympics but they aren't pilons or kids) at Rosno and was the best player there and He dominates at WJC. I guess you think that he doesn;t dominate because TSN doesn't show it

Tosay he's the next mario is laughable.

From me ? Yes. From you ? Too. From guy who coached Lindros, Nash and Mario ? No. Anyway, I think that Malkin is closer to Lecavalier.

his goal scoring is nowhere near ovechkins.

Repeat ?

and his vision doesn't even come close to crosbys.

The same BS like about scoring and Ovechkin. Watch his dribling and his assists before, post then.

 

[Zine]

The only reason Malkin is outscoring Ovechkin from last year is because the RSL isn't full of NHL superstars.

That's not neccessarily true.
Fact is.......last year, an 18 year old Malkin put up better numbers (in an NHL stacked RSL) than Ovechkin did at 18 (when NHLers weren't playing).

He can't even dominate his own age group at the WJC.

Have you seen Malkin play at the WJC yet? Or are you just going by stats?
From everything I've read and heard, nobody's been in the same stratosphere as him.

his goal scoring is nowhere near ovechkins.and his vision doesn't even come close to crosbys.

I wouldn't say that at all. Obviously, he's not quite as good in those select areas as AO and SC, but he brings more to the table in other areas. I've seen Malkin play regularly the last 2 years (on-line), and I think he really does have the highest ceiling of all 3 players.

BTW, I have no reason to be biased..I'm not a homer Canadian or Russian.

 

[The Old Master]

love you guys! while i hope you are both right. and not haveing seen malkin that much,..... i have seen a lot of crosby and its hard to think that someone is going to be better!

 

[Kaizer]

love you guys! while i hope you are both right. and not haveing seen malkin that much,..... i have seen a lot of crosby and its hard to think that someone is going to be better!

I didn't say that Who knows how good Crosby will be next year ? There was huge difference between Ovechkin and Malkin when they were 18. Right now (19 y.o. Malkin vs. 19 y.o. Ovechkin) they are close if not Malkin leads. Who knows

 

[KariyaIsGod*]

Malkin doesn't lead Ovechkin or Crosby at this point.

If you watch Malkin, then actually watch Crosby, you'll see that their playmaking and vision is NOT equal. Crosby is ahead, especially when you consider that his skills translate to the NHL.

When you watch Malkin and watch Ovechkin, it's plain to see that AO has another gear that Malkin simply can't keep up with. No way he matches AO's natural goal scoring ability either. He hasn't shown that ability yet.

As for strength, I think anybody who has seen a lot fo Crosby will tell you, his lower body strength is astounding. He is incredibly hard to knock off the puck and when he has the puck, he uses his body incredibly well to shield it.

Malkin is an impressive player, Crosby and AO are simply on another level though. Isn't Malkin older than Crosby also?

 

[Kaizer]

When you watch Malkin and watch Ovechkin, it's plain to see that AO has another gear that Malkin simply can't keep up with. No way he matches AO's natural goal scoring ability either. He hasn't shown that ability yet.

Malkin's last 3 seasons in Russia (17, 18, 19 - isn't finished) : 30G+50A
Ovechkin's last 3 seasons in Russia (17,18,19) : 34G + 34A

Malkin's last 3 WJC (this year isn't finished) : 12G+16A
Ovechkin's last 3 WJC : 18G+7A

if it means "no way" And yes, He has shown, you just don't see it

PS You know, Rico Fata has another gear too

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Imagine if Pittsburg wins the draft lottery and gets Kessel as well? Could happen.

Pens will almost assuredly pick top five. I say that assuming that with the new coaching we go 5 or 6 points over .500 the remainder of the way. Do the math and compare what that many points got you in 2003-4, then drop it a couple of slots to account for the new no tie rules. I have done the math and that is the result. That will mean that the Pens should end up with a pretty damn good player whether his name is Kessel or not and that suits me fine, though drafts are real hit and miss even in good years..

 

[Siberian]

Malkin doesn't lead Ovechkin or Crosby at this point.

If you watch Malkin, then actually watch Crosby, you'll see that their playmaking and vision is NOT equal. Crosby is ahead, especially when you consider that his skills translate to the NHL.

When you watch Malkin and watch Ovechkin, it's plain to see that AO has another gear that Malkin simply can't keep up with. No way he matches AO's natural goal scoring ability either. He hasn't shown that ability yet.

As for strength, I think anybody who has seen a lot fo Crosby will tell you, his lower body strength is astounding. He is incredibly hard to knock off the puck and when he has the puck, he uses his body incredibly well to shield it.

Malkin is an impressive player, Crosby and AO are simply on another level though. Isn't Malkin older than Crosby also?

You have gotta be kidding me. Watch highlights of WJC: Malkin has unbelievable playmaking skills, if you are so sure that Crosby is ahead of Malkin then you know nothing about Malkin. But I think you know nothing about him and just make blind statements because this is what Canadian media told you. If you put Crosby into Malkin's situation he will never be able to dominate as Malkin does, never. It seems you also know nothing about the Superleague and in the Superleague nobody dominated the game as Malkin does and Superleague has seen a lot of players who are considered superstars in NHL: Heatley, Kovalcuk, Lecavaliers, Ovechkin, Kovalev etc.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

You have gotta be kidding me. Watch highlights of WJC: Malkin has unbelievable playmaking skills, if you are so sure that Crosby is ahead of Malkin then you know nothing about Malkin. But I think you know nothing about him and just make blind statements because this is what Canadian media told you. If you put Crosby into Malkin's situation he will never be able to dominate as Malkin does, never. It seems you also know nothing about the Superleague and in the Superleague nobody dominated the game as Malkin does and Superleague has seen a lot of players who are considered superstars in NHL: Heatley, Kovalcuk, Lecavaliers, Ovechkin, Kovalev etc.

Training camp will certainly be interesting next year. I do not see either being moved from Center, they are too valuable there and Edzo's misguided attempt at keeping Crosby at wing much of this year has proven that, especially with how he has taken off since settling in comofrtably at center under Therrin. On the PP they may make the same line, but game in and game out they will key two lines at center and god help teams trying to match up. So who earns the number one line? And earn it will be the key, I do not see Therrin handing it to anyone no matter the name. In the end I think that competition will be great for both of them. Add a player like Kessel into the mix and it could really get interesting.

 

[Siberian]

Training camp will certainly be interesting next year. I do not see either being moved from Center, they are too valuable there and Edzo's misguided attempt at keeping Crosby at wing much of this year has proven that, especially with how he has taken off since settling in comofrtably at center under Therrin. On the PP they may make the same line, but game in and game out they will key two lines at center and god help teams trying to match up. So who earns the number one line? And earn it will be the key, I do not see Therrin handing it to anyone no matter the name. In the end I think that competition will be great for both of them. Add a player like Kessel into the mix and it could really get interesting.

Look, I want to see Malkin in NHL, but I am not so sure he will be in training camp next year. For some reason all the Canadian media is so assertive that he will be there but he might not be. He has a contract with Magnitka until the end of season 2007-2008, Magnitka will surely give him way more than 900.000 he is making this year, also remember that the salary in Russia normally called after 13% income tax. I do not see Magnitka letting Malkin go unless they have financial retribution either from Penguins or from NHL themselves. I think I recently have an article on Washington-Dynamo case and the judge already suggested that this should be resolved financially, so I see Washington paying for Ovechkin, how will Penguins will get away from that is unknown to me.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Look, I want to see Malkin in NHL, but I am not so sure he will be in training camp next year. For some reason all the Canadian media is so assertive that he will be there but he might not be. He has a contract with Magnitka until the end of season 2007-2008, Magnitka will surely give him way more than 900.000 he is making this year, also remember that the salary in Russia normally called after 13% income tax. I do not see Magnitka letting Malkin go unless they have financial retribution either from Penguins or from NHL themselves. I think I recently have an article on Washington-Dynamo case and the judge already suggested that this should be resolved financially, so I see Washington paying for Ovechkin, how will Penguins will get away from that is unknown to me.

I can not google back that far, but at the time Malkin made his decision to stay in the RSL, everyone from him, to his coach, to Pens officials, to RSL officials, to Russian hockey media and on and on said that he would definately be in a Pens uniform next year. Recently all have said the same (Malkin talking about how 'his' team is not having success this year and how he hopes to help next year, and his also mentioning competing for the Calder next year). With all that smoke, it is obvious that the fire is that a deal was worked out before the season started. Malkin would give one more year to his hometown then be allowed to pursue his NHL career. Is some money involved from the Pens? Maybe, but that seems to have already been worked out behind the scenes.

 

[Roy_Hobbs]

I hate making comparisions like this, especially when I haven't seen him that much. But from some of the clips I've seen this year, he bears an uncanny resemblance to Lemieux on the ice. Am I way off here?

yes. malkin actually tries to play defense and is pretty darn good at it.