Malkin playing at WJC

According to the Globe via TSN.
http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_story.asp?id=146072

Russia versus the US in the finals
Kessel vs. Malkin
Look for the US to win, but Malkin to dominate the tournament

Sweet - great news.

so he's out for the Olympics, then?

Or is he going to do both?

Of course he's doing both.

I can't wait to see how badly he is going to completely destroy everyone and everything at the tournament.

Just a shame the rest of the team isn't up to par. The U.S. still should win unless Malkin can completely control the game single-handidly...which is a possibility...

Too bad Sid the Kid can't come out to play.

It's going to be awesome to see Malkin rise to the status of God on these boards when he totally lights up the tournament.

Question of the Day: Does he break the single tournament record for points/goals?

No

It's going to be awesome to see Malkin rise to the status of God on these boards when he totally lights up the tournament.

or reviled if he stinks up the joint/gets injured.

I can't wait till he scores only like 4 points the whole tournament and is labeled a bust

This is great news for Russia and bad news for everyone else in the tournament. It is fantastic for the tournament to have the best prospect not currently playing in the NHL. I believe that makes it 10 returning players for Russia from their Silver winning team last year. Don't forget that Russia walked over almost every other team until the final last year.

I would say the favorites are now ...
1. Russia
2. USA
3. Canada
4. Finland

And if he doesn't blow away the competition, this board will label him a bust

Of course he's doing both.

I can't wait to see how badly he is going to completely destroy everyone and everything at the tournament.

Just a shame the rest of the team isn't up to par. The U.S. still should win unless Malkin can completely control the game single-handidly...which is a possibility...
i expect radulov to light it up as well. russia has a lot of returning players from last year and should do very well.

Too bad Sid the Kid can't come out to play.

It's going to be awesome to see Malkin rise to the status of God on these boards when he totally lights up the tournament.

Question of the Day: Does he break the single tournament record for points/goals?

Not a chance in hell. Doesnt Forsberg hold the record with 30-something points?

Too bad Sid the Kid can't come out to play.

It's going to be awesome to see Malkin rise to the status of God on these boards when he totally lights up the tournament.

Question of the Day: Does he break the single tournament record for points/goals?On the other hand, if he doesn't set records he'll be a bust. :sarcasm:

interesting, thanks for posting that info

even more reason to hope that someone (Center Ice) televises some of the games in the US

interesting, thanks for posting that news

even more reason to hope that someone (Center Ice) televises some of the games in the US

latendresse will make everyone forget about malkin :) :) :)

Not a chance in hell. Doesnt Forsberg hold the record with 30-something points?
Can you post this again? I don't think we got it the first 3 times.

I agree that if he doesn't light everyone up, the bust labeling will begin.

Malkin should do great in this tournament, but I don't know if that should automatically make Russia the favorite. One player, regardless of talent (especially at forward) rarely makes that much of a differance.

Can you post this again? I don't think we got it the first 3 times.

.

haHhaha i was thinking the same thing

What are the odds that he stays here after? Just doesn't go home.

haHhaha i was thinking the same thing

I actually didn't get it the first two times...

Is it not possible Malkin destroys the opposition?

In my oppinion the goalies this tourney aren't as good as in the past (MA Fleury, M Schwarz, and the Alvaro Montoya are better than this years class unless I'm forgetting a big US guy or something). If The Russians have anybody like they have in the past there with Malkin, the supposed "better than Ovechkin" kid, I think it could be an interesting year.

I don't expect him to beat the records, but every year there's somebody highly touted who's expected to dominate, this season that guy is Mr. Malkin.

What are the odds that he stays here after? Just doesn't go home.

Zilch. They don't defect anymore, he has a contract and is committed to playing in Russia. If he stayed the Russian Hockey Federation would never send over another team and a bunch of law suits would follow (see Semin).

Ok, 1 in 100 I guess, become anythings possible...

Zilch. They don't defect anymore, he has a contract and is committed to playing in Russia. If he stayed the Russian Hockey Federation would never send over another team and a bunch of law suits would follow (see Semin).

Ok, 1 in 100 I guess, become anythings possible...
Isn't that what Zherdev did though?

This will be Russia's tournament to lose. Do not expect them to do so, however.

Malkin should do great in this tournament, but I don't know if that should automatically make Russia the favorite. One player, regardless of talent (especially at forward) rarely makes that much of a differance.
yea but it's not too often that the leading scorer in the rsl plays on the junior team.

This will be Russia's tournament to lose. Do not expect them to do so, however.

At least your consistent. I don't see it, but whatever.

yea but it's not too often that the leading scorer in the rsl plays on the junior team.


Fair point, but I stand by my statement. Malkin will make a significant impact, but he can't do it by himself. I'd feel the same way if Crosby was on Team Canada this year.

haHhaha i was thinking the same thing


At first I tought that something is wrong with my computer going always up reading the same post (although I was always scrolling down)... :biglaugh:


Malkin should do great in this tournament, but I don't know if that should automatically make Russia the favorite. One player, regardless of talent (especially at forward) rarely makes that much of a differance.


I always considered Russia as #2 favorite and just a little bit below USA. With Malkin they do surpass the americans.

I expect from Malkin (and AO) to dominate the Olympics, let alone the WJC...

At least your consistent. I don't see it, but whatever.


Unless there is a total melt down, you will soon see it my freind.

Unless there is a total melt down, you will soon see it my freind.


It's possible, I won't deny that.

Fair point, but I stand by my statement. Malkin will make a significant impact, but he can't do it by himself. I'd feel the same way if Crosby was on Team Canada this year.

Malkin doesn't have to do it by himself - Russia is returning like 10 players from their silver medal team. They certainly have experience on their side.

If Crosby was on Canada, I'd take them over us.

The U.S. is good...but we're not overwealmingly the favorites for anything.

At first I tought that something is wrong with my computer going always up reading the same post (although I was always scrolling down)... :biglaugh:





I always considered Russia as #2 favorite and just a little bit below USA. With Malkin they do surpass the americans.

I expect from Malkin (and AO) to dominate the Olympics, let alone the WJC...


I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I know one thing, Walt Kyle will have the U.S. team well-prepared, and I think that will be a key differance between the team this year and what transpired last year.

Malkin doesn't have to do it by himself - Russia is returning like 10 players from their silver medal team. They certainly have experience on their side.

If Crosby was on Canada, I'd take them over us.

The U.S. is good...but we're not overwealmingly the favorites for anything.


Come on, Russia was alot closer to the U.S. (a team that beat them last year) than they were to Canada. It's a clean slate this year, and the fact is, several "experts" have proclaimed the U.S. as the favorite, even the clear the favorite.

he had a goal and 2 assists today.

that's 34 pts in 31 games in the RSL

unbelievable for a 19 year old

This will be Russia's tournament to lose. Do not expect them to do so, however.

How is Russia the favorite?

It's all about Canada!!!

Fair point, but I stand by my statement. Malkin will make a significant impact, but he can't do it by himself. I'd feel the same way if Crosby was on Team Canada this year.

I agree 100%, heres the problem....Malkin will be joining a Russian team that returns a bunch of solid players...the Russians were already a favourite for a medal and not much behind the States for gold....this should bump them to the top with the states easily.

Where as if the Cdn junior team had Crosby he would be great, get his 15 points, but still Canada would only have 2 ppl returning.

FTR my guess is Malkin has in the neighbourhood of 15 points in the tourney.

Malkin should do great in this tournament, but I don't know if that should automatically make Russia the favorite. One player, regardless of talent (especially at forward) rarely makes that much of a differance.

RUSSIA - 10 returning players

They have two returning defenseman in Belov (0) & Yemelin (1) and their starting goaltender from last year in Khudobin. They have Lisin (5), Malkin (10), Parshin (2), Shirokov (8), Yunkov (2), Voloshenko (2) and Radulov (3).

USA - 6 returning players

They have one returning defenseman in Lee (0) and their back up goalie from last year in Schneider. They have Bourque (2), Kessel (6), Porter (5) and Shremp (5).

Jack Johnson should have played for the USA last year, but he would have likely taken Lee's spot. Bobby Ryan probably should have been on the team as well.

() are for points from last year's tournament.
__________________________________________________ ________

Goaltending is a toss up between these teams. Schnieder was pretty bad in the period he played last year, but USA's defense last year was not good. He should be a lot better this time around, but I would give the edge to Khubodin based on experience.

Defense is a strength for the USA, but they have a very young group. Russia's defense will be mainly made up of 86 birthdates. This is a 19 year old's tournament, so even though I would give the edge to the USA, it might not be a huge difference maker if these two face each other.

At forward, both teams have great players. Last year Russia had Shirokov-Malkin-Radulov playing together and also had Parshin-Yunkov-Voloshenko together and they are all back. The seventh returnee at forward was on the top line. USA has four returning forwards and for the most part they didn't play together. The USA is fielding one of their strongest groups ever, but again Russia has a mainly 19 year old core of veteran players. Malkin is by far the best player in the tournament, but I would give the edge to the USA on depth.

Goaltending and experience make a huge difference in a short tournament and even though the USA may have an overall more talented team, I'd give the edge to Russia as the overall favorite.

The US team on a WHOLE is much stronger than the Russian team.

US goaltending is also much stronger.

Khudobin is not better than Schnieder.

bobby ryan, phil kessel, rob schremp will be a dominant force for the US, with players like Jack Skille, as well as a Dcorps with JJ, Lee, and EJ.

Malkin will be the top scorer of the tourney, but espect ryan and schremp to be close. Maybe Kessel as well.

bobby ryan, phil kessel, rob schremp will be a dominant force for the US, with players like Jack Skille, as well as a Dcorps with JJ, Lee, and EJ.

Malkin will be the top scorer of the tourney, but espect ryan and schremp to be close. Maybe Kessel as well.

If EJ gets playing time, he will be up there also.

On the other hand, if he doesn't set records he'll be a bust. :sarcasm:

#66... I like that one.

Malkin/Radulov... The best 1-2 punch on paper at the tournament.

And Russia will count on one of the best world junior dman richt now: Alexei Emelin. Expect this Habs prospect to have a great tournament this year. He played pretty well last year.

He was chosen the best dman a couple weels ago at the U-20 4-nation tournament in Russia. He is recording so far the best plus-minus record for Togliatti Lada in the Superleague. And he is just 19- YO! He also records the most PIM for Togliatti and ranks first among his team's dmen for points with six.

It is gone be a great WJC!

Malkin/Radulov... The best 1-2 punch on paper at the tournament.

And Russia will count on one of the best world junior dman richt now: Alexei Emelin. Expect this Habs prospect to have a great tournament this year. He played pretty well last year.

He was chosen the best dman a couple weels ago at the U-20 4-nation tournament in Russia. He is recording so far the best plus-minus record for Togliatti Lada in the Superleague. And he is just 19- YO! He also records the most PIM for Togliatti and ranks first among his team's dmen for points with six.

It is gone be a great WJC!

Emelin was terrible last year.

That's what I wanted to see! While, he could easily have sat out, I think he still has something to prove, and should want to do so.

Malkin will not break Forsberg's record. Forsberg, along with Markus Naslund and Niklas Sundstrom (yes, Sundstrom was once considered a primo offensive prospect) dominated the 1993 WJC in Sweden. Only Manny Legace and a Canadian squad that epitomized team kept Sweden from the gold. (Playing against the Japanese certainly helped Forsberg's totals).

However, Malkin is definitely the favourite to lead the tournament in scoring. 15-20 points is not out of the question.

But I don't think he'll make that much of a difference in Russia's overall result. His presence will keep this Russia team from being their worst at the WJC since the debacles of 1993 and 1994, but it doesn't make them the favourites. Outside of Malkin and Ovechkin, the last two years have not been kind to Russian hockey. (No first rounders in 2005). The U.S. still has the most overall talent, and Canada has advantages in goal, behind the bench and with home ice advantage. The Czechs have a lot of talent, and you can't discount the Finns.

Too bad Sid the Kid can't come out to play.

It's going to be awesome to see Malkin rise to the status of God on these boards when he totally lights up the tournament.

Question of the Day: Does he break the single tournament record for points/goals?

What is the single tournament record for points? goals? I don't think Malkin will do it just because he doesn't have the supporting cast. I'd be interested to see what the record is. The US has some real point producers (Kessel, Schremp, Ryan) Depending on the record, one of those guys could take a run at it.

Malkin will make a significant impact, but he can't do it by himself. I'd feel the same way if Crosby was on Team Canada this year.

1986 year for Russia is probably the strongest since 1983. They have solid group of players aside from Malkin. Malkin can be just that last ingredient. Russia won U18 2004 (over USA in the finals by the way) and Malkin wasn't the best scorer even on team Russia (Voloshenko was). I don't necessarily expect him to totally dominate on a scoresheet (I think Kessel and Schremp can challenge him easly especially with their lethal PP) but I do expect him to dominate overall, physically.

Emelin was terrible last year.
It was last year. I don't know how he made the team last year, but this year he picked up his game and playing absolutely awesome. He looks like one of the best steals in 2004. No, he doesn't provide great help in attack but he is very good in PK and in his own zone. Now, he is a lot more patient. He is not trying to hit only for hit like it was season or 2 ago, now he plays a lot more clever. I don't know what was changed may be he ate something, but he realy improved his play and put it on the new level.

Not a chance in hell. Doesnt Forsberg hold the record with 30-something points?


I always thought it was Bure with some ridiculous number in the very early 90s back in the days of the best World Junior Line ever:

Bure-Federov-Mogilny

I always thought it was Bure with some ridiculous number in the very early 90s back in the days of the best World Junior Line ever:

Bure-Federov-Mogilny

Forsberg was right. 31 points in the tournament, pretty tough to beat. I guess Sweden played Japan that year which kinda helped.

But I don't think he'll make that much of a difference in Russia's overall result. His presence will keep this Russia team from being their worst at the WJC since the debacles of 1993 and 1994, but it doesn't make them the favourites. Outside of Malkin and Ovechkin, the last two years have not been kind to Russian hockey. (No first rounders in 2005).

The last two years have not been kind to Russian hockey? Ovechkin, Malkin & Radulov to name a few sounds pretty good. If you had said that 2005 was not kind to them, I might have somewhat agreed with you. One thing to remember about the 2005 draft is that no transfer agreement exists between the NHL and the RSL. That likely kept many NHL teams from picking Russian players.

I mentioned Ovechkin and Malkin. But outside of them, there hasn't been much to get excited about. Radulov will put up points, but he's better suited to second line duty. Regardless of the transfer agreement with Russia, there just wasn't a highly skilled, consensus future top line Russian in the 2005 draft. I believe the first Russian picked was 70th overall. With only two first round picks on the team (with some skilled second rounders from 2004), it's not going to be as good of a team as we're used to watching. Fourth place would be a good finish for them.

I mentioned Ovechkin and Malkin. But outside of them, there hasn't been much to get excited about. Radulov will put up points, but he's better suited to second line duty. Regardless of the transfer agreement with Russia, there just wasn't a highly skilled, consensus future top line Russian in the 2005 draft. I believe the first Russian picked was 70th overall. With only two first round picks on the team (with some skilled second rounders from 2004), it's not going to be as good of a team as we're used to watching. Fourth place would be a good finish for them.


I and almost every expert disagrees with you. Yeah, the '87s suck (hence the poor 2005 draft) but the '86 Russians are very talented and deep - more so than the '85 and '84. Remember, the '86s won the U-18 WJC a few years ago.
Apart from Ovechkin, most of the offensive on last year's silver medal team came from '86s. They're almost a shoe-in to win some medal; barring some sort of catastrophe.

Radulov will put up points, but he's better suited to second line duty.

Second line duty at the WJC? :dunno:
Radulov is the best player in the Q, and arguably one of the top 3 players in all the CHL.

With only two first round picks on the team (with some skilled second rounders from 2004), it's not going to be as good of a team as we're used to watching. Fourth place would be a good finish for them.
Do you care about picks ? Voloshenko, Lisin and Lyamin were projected as first-rounders but were selected in the second because GMs were afraid. Did it make them worse players ? Of course not. Zubov, Istomin, Buravchikov and Zubarev have gone in late rounds but were predicted way earlier. How does lack of agreement affect their level of play ? Have you seen Shirokov at last WJC ? He wasn't even drafted and he had 8 points (3rd on team) while Radulov(1st round), Voloshenko (2nd round) and Lisin (2nd round) had 9 points combined. So... he isn't 1st round pick and that's why he's bad ? :dunno:

Do you know how many this year "Shirokovs" will be on this team ?

1986 year for Russia is probably the strongest since 1983. They have solid group of players aside from Malkin. Malkin can be just that last ingredient. Russia won U18 2004 (over USA in the finals by the way) and Malkin wasn't the best scorer even on team Russia (Voloshenko was). I don't necessarily expect him to totally dominate on a scoresheet (I think Kessel and Schremp can challenge him easly especially with their lethal PP) but I do expect him to dominate overall, physically.


Like I said, Malkin will be great and get his fair share of points. However, I don't think his presence alone will be enough to get the Russians the gold.

Forsberg was right. 31 points in the tournament, pretty tough to beat. I guess Sweden played Japan that year which kinda helped.

10 pts vs Japan if I remember correctly :)

latendresse will make everyone forget about malkin :) :) :)


It's deep! It's not playable! It's GONE!!! A HOMER!!!!

I and almost every expert disagrees with you. Yeah, the '87s suck (hence the poor 2005 draft) but the '86 Russians are very talented and deep - more so than the '85 and '84. Remember, the '86s won the U-18 WJC a few years ago.
Apart from Ovechkin, most of the offensive on last year's silver medal team came from '86s. They're almost a shoe-in to win some medal; barring some sort of catastrophe.



Second line duty at the WJC? :dunno:
Radulov is the best player in the Q, and arguably one of the top 3 players in all the CHL.


I was listening to the Quebec game (on streaming radio) where Radulov got 6 goals, and the crowd was load even on the radio.

The announcer sounded like he had something stuck in his throat, but it was still great to listen to.

The Quebec crowd was loving it.

It'll be interesting to see where Robbie Schremp and Andrew Cogliano stack up against the supposed best prospect or even best player out-side of the NHL right now.

Why does TSN say this is Russia's prelim roster? I take it this roster TSN has is wrong? http://www.tsn.ca/World_jrs/feature.asp?fid=4604

In Russias Division, Malkin will be men among boys, until he plays USA or Canada. Their division does not have USA or Canada, this year, so good for him.

Malkin resembles Jean Beliveau

Too bad Sid the Kid can't come out to play.

It's going to be awesome to see Malkin rise to the status of God on these boards when he totally lights up the tournament.

Question of the Day: Does he break the single tournament record for points/goals?

Malkin isn't Ovechkin. Have you seen him play? Malkin flubs breakaways all of the time. The goals he does get are primarily gimmes. Metallurg Magnitogorsk is a high scoring team, it's hardly just about Malkin there. Malkin's few oppurtunistic goals in the RSL won't translate in the bigs. He'll be a top line Center in the NHL, but he'll never eclipse 30 goals.

EM is an assist man. I keep warning people he's no Kovalchuk caliber lamp lighter, but they want to pretend he's God. Just because everyone likes saying his name, doesn't make him AO. The guy skates and passes well, has good instincts, but shoots poorly. Remember that and you won't be so dissapointed.

Malkin isn't Ovechkin. Have you seen him play? Malkin flubs breakaways all of the time. The goals he does get are primarily gimmes. Metallurg Magnitogorsk is a high scoring team, it's hardly just about Malkin there. Malkin's few oppurtunistic goals in the RSL won't translate in the bigs. He'll be a top line Center in the NHL, but he'll never eclipse 30 goals.

EM is an assist man. I keep warning people he's no Kovalchuk caliber lamp lighter, but they want to pretend he's God. Just because everyone likes saying his name, doesn't make him AO. The guy skates and passes well, has good instincts, but shoots poorly. Remember that and you won't be so dissapointed.

Yes, Master.

I'm sorry, what NHL team are you a scout for again?

Yes, Master.

I'm sorry, what NHL team are you a scout for again?

I watch the Metallurg Magnitogorsk games, which is more than 90% of the Malkin groupies can say.

All I can watch are Slay's clips but most of his goals are of the highlight-reel variety.

All I can watch are Slay's clips but most of his goals are of the highlight-reel variety.


Maybe because you were watching a highlight reel..

No, they were clips. And of Slay's clips I'd say I've seen about 10 of his goals this year, and at least 6 of them would be considered above-average efforts, certainly not gimmes. More than a few were definitely highlight-reel quality.

Will Voloshenko be on a line with Malkin?

Will Voloshenko be on a line with Malkin?
We don't know. I'd prefer to split our scorers like it was always before and use 3 good scoring lines but I'd put together Radulov, Voloshenko and Malkin when we will need a goal in the end of the game.

No, they were clips. And of Slay's clips I'd say I've seen about 10 of his goals this year, and at least 6 of them would be considered above-average efforts, certainly not gimmes. More than a few were definitely highlight-reel quality.

Well I gotta tell ya, in the seven games I watched, he scored two gimmes, and flubbed on about 6 breakaways, and a few point blank one timer attempts. I was "wowed" by his passes and skating, never by his goals..or lack thereof.

Malkin isn't Ovechkin. Have you seen him play? Malkin flubs breakaways all of the time. The goals he does get are primarily gimmes. Metallurg Magnitogorsk is a high scoring team, it's hardly just about Malkin there. Malkin's few oppurtunistic goals in the RSL won't translate in the bigs. He'll be a top line Center in the NHL, but he'll never eclipse 30 goals.

EM is an assist man. I keep warning people he's no Kovalchuk caliber lamp lighter, but they want to pretend he's God. Just because everyone likes saying his name, doesn't make him AO. The guy skates and passes well, has good instincts, but shoots poorly. Remember that and you won't be so dissapointed.
he is the #1 center on the team, he leads the league in goals and points, and was voted best player in the rsl by the coaches. in the rsl he's been better than ovechkin. we'll see how it translates to the nhl, but it's ridiculous to say it won't. and yes i've downloaded a couple of full metallurg games. from what i've seen he's very much like sergei fedorov.

Why does TSN say this is Russia's prelim roster? I take it this roster TSN has is wrong? http://www.tsn.ca/World_jrs/feature.asp?fid=4604

Khudobin didn't make the team?

Khudobin didn't make the team?

That's camp roster and as you see there are no Radulov and Voloshenko on the list either. They are already made the team and will join to the team in North America.

he is the #1 center on the team, he leads the league in goals and points, and was voted best player in the rsl by the coaches. in the rsl he's been better than ovechkin. we'll see how it translates to the nhl, but it's ridiculous to say it won't. and yes i've downloaded a couple of full metallurg games. from what i've seen he's very much like sergei fedorov.

If you are going to quote me, don't paraphrase or intentionally misquote. I wrote that his goal scoring won't translate, not his overall game. I also said he'll likely be a 30 goal scorer, but no better. The guy is a phenomenal skater with accurate passing, and generally all marquee instincts, but he doesn't have Ovechkin moves or a Bure wrist shot.

If you are going to quote me, don't paraphrase or intentionally misquote. I wrote that his goal scoring won't translate, not his overall game. I also said he'll likely be a 30 goal scorer, but no better. The guy is a phenomenal skater with accurate passing, and generally all marquee instincts, but he doesn't have Ovechkin moves or a Bure wrist shot.
fair enough. forsberg's never scored over 30 goals, and if malkin has a forsberg type career, i'd be pretty happy. i think you underestimate his stickhandling though. he's a very slick player.

fair enough. forsberg's never scored over 30 goals, and if malkin has a forsberg type career, i'd be pretty happy. i think you underestimate his stickhandling though. he's a very slick player.

Not the stickhandling of a Forsberg in that he can undress guys to get open. He has a signature lateral mini-dangle that I've seen only a handful of times, but really just not those 1 on 1 skills of a Forsberg/Ovechkin/Jagr. He'll be a star in the NHL for different reasons IMO.

*I should add here - "Flashy" and "Natural Goal Scorer" aren't two things that come to mind when I think of Malkin. The things that will make him a star are qualities you want in the prototypical "New NHL" center though. It's his "all around game" driven by instinct and speed that impresses me.

Malkin isn't Ovechkin. Have you seen him play? Malkin flubs breakaways all of the time. The goals he does get are primarily gimmes :biglaugh:

The guy is a phenomenal skater with accurate passing, and generally all marquee instincts, but he doesn't have Ovechkin moves or a Bure wrist shot.FYI, Bure was easily the one with the best moves (and the better skater) while Ovechkin is the one with the better wrist shot.

Well I gotta tell ya, in the seven games I watched, he scored two gimmes, and flubbed on about 6 breakaways, and a few point blank one timer attempts. I was "wowed" by his passes and skating, never by his goals..or lack thereof.

I agree with you on the breakaways ! Evgeny needs def. to work on hes finish skills no doubt ! BUT look : Malkin will never make such moves like Ovechkin or Crosby BUT he creates so much scoring chances its just insane and uses hes body so damn well and thats why i think he will be better than the other two superb rookies in the end.

Not the stickhandling of a Forsberg in that he can undress guys to get open. He has a signature lateral mini-dangle that I've seen only a handful of times, but really just not those 1 on 1 skills of a Forsberg/Ovechkin/Jagr. He'll be a star in the NHL for different reasons IMO.

*I should add here - "Flashy" and "Natural Goal Scorer" aren't two things that come to mind when I think of Malkin. The things that will make him a star are qualities you want in the prototypical "New NHL" center though. It's his "all around game" driven by instinct and speed that impresses me.You are obviously right when you say Malkin is not as much of a scorer as Ovechkin. Alex has a better shot, is more of a natural scorer and is a better finisher (Malkin needs to improve in that department, but he has the time to do it) but i think you are underrating Malkin stickhandling and one on one skills. He is not as good as Forsberg in going around defender but he is better than him in jumping beyond them when given the right opportunity.

The guy skates and passes well, has good instincts, but shoots poorly.Two understatements followed by one overstatement here (Malkin has a good, low slapshot)

You are obviously right when you say Malkin is not as much of a scorer as Ovechkin. Alex has a better shot, is more of a natural scorer and is a better finisher (Malkin needs to improve in that department, but he has the time to do it) but i think you are underrating Malkin stickhandling and one on one skills. He is not as good as Forsberg in going around defender but he is better than him in jumping beyond them when given the right opportunity.

Two understatements followed by one overstatement here (Malkin has a good, low slapshot)
Agreed. I've seen Malkin beat goalies with a very hard slapshot to the upper corners a number of times. I've also seen him use a very good wrist shot to beat goalies from the middle of the circles. I think its fair to say that his shots are very good but his release needs some work. Malkins stickhandling is also pretty awesome but I think it gets under-rated because he uses his reach more than making moves. IMO thats still stickhandling and very effective. Another thing that I like about his stickhandling is that he can carry the puck in front of him as well as the side. Not many players are very good at that let alone do it with the grace that Malkin does.

nvm

I love watching Malkin play. He is so skilled with the puck, he uses his size well to push players off the puck, or out of position, he is good at keeping puck possesion, and he has an awesome wrist shot, and slap shot to score with. At the World juniors last year he scored vs the U.S from a long ways out, he was outside the blueline a couple of times! If he really is better than Ovechkin now, as some insiders have hinted, that is a scary though.

I love watching Malkin play. He is so skilled with the puck, he uses his size well to push players off the puck, or out of position, he is good at keeping puck possesion, and he has an awesome wrist shot, and slap shot to score with. At the World juniors last year he scored vs the U.S from a long ways out, he was outside the blueline a couple of times! If he really is better than Ovechkin now, as some insiders have hinted, that is a scary though.

I don't think he's as good as Ovechkin or Crosby at the moment, but that could be do to a different development curve. Malkin is a bigger guy; the type of player that takes a quite a while to fully develop (think Spezza, Thornton, etc.) It's this aspect that has the scouts drooling. The kid is dominating the second best league in the world and hasn't even grown into his frame yet.