-Vintage Canuck- Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Malkin plans on sticking around: Evgeni Malkin fully supports Ilya Kovalchuk's decision to leave the NHL for the KHL, but that doesn't mean the Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar is going to follow in his footsteps. On July 11, Kovalchuk announced his retirement from the NHL, forfeiting $77 million left on his contract with the New Jersey Devils. Kovalchuk, 30, opted to sign a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL and will earn around $15 million per year, including salary and bonuses. "Ilya decided to take this path and who am I to judge him," Malkin asked Russian media outlet R-Sport. "I support his decision. Ilya wanted to move his family back to Russia. Why not? "The talk is this can become a trend (for Russian players). But this (situation) is an exception to the (norm)." Malkin signed an eight-year, $76 million contract extension with the Penguins last month, after agreeing to the deal on June 13, and fully intends on living out the length of that agreement. "I cannot speak for others, they can speak for themselves," Malkin said, "but at this stage of my life, I am happy to be in the NHL. That's my priority. A lot can happen, but I am comfortable in America. "I won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins, I've won individual awards. I get a lot of ice time. I have an excellent relationship with my teammates and coaches. Why would I look for something else when I have everything?" The native of Magnitogorsk, Russia, is a four-time NHL All-Star, the 2006-07 Rookie of the Year, a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner (2008-09, 2011-12), a Conn Smythe Trophy winner (2008-09), an NHL MVP (2011-12) and the recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award (2011-12). In 31 games with the Penguins this past season, Malkin registered nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points. http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/pit130802.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMBUTANS Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 No to Russians, can't take the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Doughty Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 No to Russians, can't take the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangelos Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 what if the penguins start to suck like the Devils. I think Kovy bailed cause he knew the Devils were on a downwards spiral and wanted no part of it lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangelos Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 you are stupid. you're saying no to malkin and ovechkin on our team? Complete dunce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanAvery16 Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 But Russia won't win gold if you don't go back home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucks#01fan Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Ovy will gradually turn into Heatley: old, redundant and lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancaster Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Ovy will gradually turn into Heatley: old, redundant and lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsyukian Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 everyone turns old and redundant And ovi is not lazy, he won the rocket multiple times you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keslerific Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Good, he's score some more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Too bad. I hope he goes khl or different team than Crosby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hudson bay rules Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 If ya sign a contract you should stick it out. They'd force the team to do the same after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I knew he'd stay cause he just signed. Do you think Kovalchuk would've stayed if his team was better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Doughty Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 what if the penguins start to suck like the Devils. I think Kovy bailed cause he knew the Devils were on a downwards spiral and wanted no part of it lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outsiders Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 how can the penguins suck with crosby, the best player in the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soshified Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 how can the penguins suck with crosby, the best player in the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangelos Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 everyone turns old and redundant And ovi is not lazy, he won the rocket multiple times you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 What, are we keeping our eye on every Russian because Kovalchuk left? Come on. Where's the Datsyuk thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Doughty Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 A team with a superstar can suck when they have no defence, no goaltending, and no secondary scoring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Doughty Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 Seriously? Ovechkin is one of the laziest player in the game. Guy goes for a line change whenever he has to back check lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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