Evgeni Malkin Goes AWOL

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:47 am

Pittsburgh center prospect Evgeni Malkin, who's under contract with Metallurg Magnitotorsk until April 2007, was in Finland training with his team...when he just disappeared with his personal belongings and passpost, perhaps headed to North America.

More: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID ... ubName=nhl

What a mess this is. Just sign the darn transfer agreement, Russia. You'll still lose players to the NHL if you don't.

Post by **E5150_ca** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:00 am

I feel bad for the guy, seems like he just wants to play hockey and is stuck in the middle of a political mess.

Post by **inSTAALed** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:24 am

Hopefully the Russian Mob doesn't decide to have a "little talk" with him.

flea · Post by **flea** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:22 am

Well, this remembers me other players like Mogilny or Fedorov who escaped from mother Russia years ago to play in the NHL....and also Bykov and Chomutov who played for Fribourg Gotteron in the Swiss league as "refugees" from comunism.

As everytime the allmighty Dollar is the one to blame!!! Its just sad that a player cant choose where he wants to play, but here we have to feel also for the club who has a signed contract from the player and its normal that Mettalurg is upset!!

Hopefully this situation can get solved!!!

Post by **E5150_ca** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:34 pm

Just an update, its being reported now that he also had a Canadian Visa on him when he fled. With Canada's tough immigration policy, I wonder if he'll get in.

thecoolstuff · Post by **thecoolstuff** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 4:31 pm

This is what Malkin's mom has to say to the media:

"the management of Mettalurg played on his patriotic feelings. He was not able to refuse. Though, afterward, he told me, `Mom, they (the Penguins) have already been waiting for me and I promised.' He left for camp in Finland very disgruntled.''

He left because he promised the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gotta love this kid!

Post by **Minstrel** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 4:55 pm

I'm not sure I can really blame any side in this story... can't blame Metallurg for doing anything possible to keep him at the team, can't blame Malkin for wanting to play with Pitt and can't blame Pitt for wanting to bring the kid in. It is very odd that we are back to basically players defecting to join the NHL, it's a very odd twist. If they end up getting nothing in compensation I wonder if they will wish they'd just signed the transfer deal they'd worked out instead.

ironcity57 · Post by **ironcity57** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:10 pm

Rotowire is reporting that Malkin filed his official resignation papers, thus starting the clock on his two weeks notice required by Russian Law. I think this will get ugly for a while but in the end Metallurg will get nothing but a bill from their attorney(not even the $200,000). It is a tough spot for all involved. I just hope he is treated well in Russia if and when he returns.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:04 pm

Malkin has arrived in Los Angeles with what I'm sure is a cadre of lawyers and his agent who has been with him since they first met up in Finland I think they said.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID ... ubName=nhl

However the details sort out from here I think it's safe to say that you can put your Malkin jersey on pre-order with the Penguins Gift Shop.

Post by **E5150_ca** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:19 pm

Rumours have not been confirmed that this whole ordeal was actually Mission Impossible Four.

Post by **inSTAALed** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:44 pm

E5150_ca wrote:Rumours have not been confirmed that this whole ordeal was actually Mission Impossible Four.

Post by **joehelmer** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:07 am

This reminds me of when Petr Nedved left his Czech team for North America. And during the lockout he wasn't welcome to join his old team and that's far over ten years after he left them.

Post by **E5150_ca** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:20 pm

He's just signed a 3-year deal with the Pens, his contract is almost identical to the one Alexander Ovechkin (The Calder Trophy winner, and all around best player in the universe) signed last year.