Evgeni Malkin has dominated the game of hockey at
every level he's played, and if assertions made by hockey scouts ring true, soon
he will be dominating the game at it's highest level...the NHL. Four
games into this young 06/07
NHL season, Evgeni has scored a goal per game. While that statistic
can't be expected to remain at the end the NHL season, it does serve warning to
the coaches and players of other teams, that yes, Evgeni Malkin is the
real deal.
Evgeni spent the last few seasons before the current
20006-2007 playing in the
Russian Super League, generally considered the second-best hockey league in the world. He played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk; which happens to be located in his hometown Magnitogorsk. Metallurg Magnitogorsk
is also the same team that his father Vladimir played for. After
being drafted by the Penguins, and three years of excelling in the Russian
Super League, Evgeni felt the desire and need to prove himself against the
world's best players in the NHL.
The young
Malkin was drafted in the first round (2nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 NHL entry draft.
Alexander Ovechkin
was the only player drafted ahead of him, but it should also be noted that
Ovechkin was almost a full year older than his Russian counterpart. At the time of the
2004 draft, most hockey experts agreed that while Ovechkin was more NHL-ready, Malkin appeared to have more of a potential upside to him.
Needless to say, the Penguins top-brass were ecstatic for having been able to
draft such a special player with their choice.
Evgeni's pure skills are reminiscent to those of
Mario Lemieux in his younger years. Graceful, but powerful at the same
time, Malkin is an extremely gifted skater; especially so for a young man with
such a tall stature. The talented Russian possesses better than average
speed, helped by a quick first-step. His long legs lengthen his skating stride, making
his speed all the more deceptive. Any unfortunate player assigned the task of
checking Malkin will have to be sure not to give Evgeni any space at all, as he
has the uncanny ability of making something out of nothing. His vision on the ice is almost unparalleled in
any of today's
NHL players, and thus, his linemates can expect to produce well above their
norms. Malkin's shot is nothing to take lightly either, as he can unleash a
powerful yet accurate wrister, slap shot, or backhand in a split-second,
and without notice. Perhaps what makes Evgeni Malkin such a valuable commodity in
the NHL, is that besides his obvious offensive abilities, he plays an excellent
defensive game. Highly talented hockey players like Malkin usually aren't
all that committed to playing well in their own end, but expect Evgeni to be a
perennial nominee for the Frank J. Selke trophy (awarded to the NHL's top
defensive forward) once he comes of age.
