Was Malkin tanking it?

Whoever has seen Malkin play in the PO for Pittsburgh and now for Russia - his game is night and day. He is one of the leaders of the team Russia, some of his plays are just sick. He was a different player 2 weeks ago. Anybody else think that he didn't really want to delay his departure for the Worlds?

I suspect some of the seemingly inspired play is from facing lesser competition. If, however, Malkin has an extra jump in his step, I wouldn't be surprised. It probably feels great to come back to where you understand nearly everyone you see and get to see friends after being away for such a long time. I'm happy to see him do well. The notion that he intentionally tanked in the NHL playoffs seems farfetched at best.

No, he is playing OK only the last two games. No conclusions to be made.

But then, again, don't forget, there the oh so dear Steel City, and there's Mother Russia :sarcasm:

No, he is playing OK only the last two games. No conclusions to be made.

But then, again, don't forget, there the oh so dear Steel City, and there's Mother Russia :sarcasm:

Well, he recovered from the flu two games ago.
I watched all the Pittsburgh playoff games and he was a different player there.

Malkin looked like he ran out of gas after his first full season in NA. For everybody that questions his abilities i say just wait till he puts on another 20 pds. He will one day be the force he was drafted to be.

I thought Malkin was trying hard in the playoffs, probably was pretty banged up and wasn't used to playoff hockey. I definetly wouldn't say he was dogging it.

After bolting from Kazan (or *** was it), he'd better show some heart for mother Russia... he'd get shot if not.

Too bad he has no hitmen after him in PIT.

Yes, you cleverly have found him out.

I have not figured out all the details of his dasterdly scheme yet. But I have been able to determine that the outcome has him and Crosby playing for Montreal or Toronto before the year is out. Damn you Evgeni!

I doubt it, rookies usually don't play very well in their 1st playoffs. I didn't watch him at the worlds but it's gonna be interesting to see what he can do against Canada or some other good team. And like people said he's a pretty big star in his homeland Russia i bet it's a lot of pressure for him, more than the playoffs.

Immense pressure on Russia to win. He has to elevate his game... and who knows maybe he wanted Pitt to fail so he can prove that Cros isnt the only player on the team.

who knows maybe he wanted Pitt to fail so he can prove that Cros isnt the only player on the team.

Wouldn't this have the opposite effect? As in "See...Crosby was the only one this team can turn to...etc."

Were as if Malkin goes into the first round and really kills the Senators...it might have a "I guess Crosby isn't the only guy this team can rely on" effect.

I think his play as of late has more to do with him being pumped to be back in Russia and play on the larger ice and not getting hit as much and having some skill on his wings.

It's all because of Frolov. ;)

I think this is absolultely stupid to think Malkin would sabotage Pens.... :shakehead

the only reason this thread is started was an attempt to create another speculation.

Malkin is a professional player and this thread does nothing but makes me puke.

Malkin looked like he ran out of gas after his first full season in NA. For everybody that questions his abilities i say just wait till he puts on another 20 pds. He will one day be the force he was drafted to be.Pretty much he's what 6'3" 190. A frame like that is bound to break down after an entire NHL season.

Pretty much he's what 6'3" 190. A frame like that is bound to break down after an entire NHL season.

The Sens gave him a couple of good hits but Malkin never really broke down this year. He certainly wasn't as effective in the playoffs as he was in a terrific regular season but the whole team wasn't.

I would think going from an alien culture back to home and going to a lockeroom where you can freely communicate with the entire team, after spending 7 months picking up a totally different language would be a huge relief. Factor in the bigger playing surface he's use to and lesser competition than NHL playoffs and it's easy to see why Malkin looks a lot more comfortable at Worlds.

Malkin wasn't tanking it, but he may have ran out of gas/got burnt out a little by April. It's only natural that now that he's at home he's reinvigorated.

Its all about finding ice to skate on for Malkin.

He is not good standing still playing hockey, and partly because he isn't used to the smaller ice, and partly because Therien got a pretty strict system, Malik had some problems getting his feet moving for the Penguins.

He is not the type of player like Crosby who takes of in no time, he must get some freedom to build up his speed, and he must learn to keep his feet moving in smaller areas too.

For Russia Frolov, Kovalchuk and Malkin are skating around like madmens, all 3 gooing after the puck, no system whatsoever when forechecking. Not saying thats the way to go, they get away with it since they are so damn skilled, when it works it also makes them look extremely good, when it doesn't work a ECHL team could create offense against them...

Well Kovalchuk is a puck hog and Frolov plays his best when he is in control of the puck.

Whoever has seen Malkin play in the PO for Pittsburgh and now for Russia - his game is night and day. He is one of the leaders of the team Russia, some of his plays are just sick. He was a different player 2 weeks ago. Anybody else think that he didn't really want to delay his departure for the Worlds?
the physicality of the hockey is night and day too. the senators were punishing malkin every shift he was out there. that is likely the main difference as to why he's playing well now, against worse competition as well.

Its all about finding ice to skate on for Malik.

He is not good standing still playing hockey, and partly because he isn't used to the smaller ice, and partly because Therien got a pretty strict system, Malik had some problems getting his feet moving for the Penguins.

He is not the type of player like Crosby who takes of in no time, he must get some freedom to build up his speed, and he must learn to keep his feet moving in smaller areas too.

For Russia Frolov, Kovalchuk and Malik are skating around like madmens, all 3 gooing after the puck, no system whatsoever when forechecking. Not saying thats the way to go, they get away with it since they are so damn skilled, when it works it also makes them look extremely good, when it doesn't work a ECHL team could create offense against them...
please stop calling him malik.:help:

Ottawa was physicaly punishing him at every turn he touched the puck and taking time and space away. He will get use to that in the future and be a better player for it. On the other hand his hot dog antics after scoring at the world stage need to go. I beleive he did the same thing too few years ago vs. Team USA in the world juniors. Simply disgraceful. He needs to watch more of Sidney and be humble, I would hate to see him turn out like the playoff choker Kovalchuk and his antics :rant:

Ottawa was physicaly punishing him at every turn he touched the puck and taking time and space away. He will get use to that in the future and be a better player for it. On the other hand his hot dog antics after scoring at the world stage need to go. I beleive he did the same thing too few years ago vs. Team USA in the world juniors. Simply disgraceful. He needs to watch more of Sidney and be humble, I would hate to see him turn out like the playoff choker Kovalchuk and his antics :rant:

He has been in playoffs once and he is already a choker? And Crosby and Malkin not?

Playing for your country should always be the place where you have the most opportunity.

Many european players play their heart out with their jobs, but still manage to find that extra gear when playing for the honour of their country.

Yes, you cleverly have found him out.

I have not figured out all the details of his dasterdly scheme yet. But I have been able to determine that the outcome has him and Crosby playing for Montreal or Toronto before the year is out. Damn you Evgeni!

Yep clearly Malkin has decided to play badly so that the Penguins would be out early in round 1 and he would be able to get to Russia in time for the beginning of the Worlds.

It surely wouldnt have anything to do with him being hammered everytime he touched the puck against the Sens and him having yet to see a bodycheck in the Worlds. Probably also has nothing to do with playing scrub teams compared to the Sens either. Oh well....was a nice run with Pittsburgh well it lasted......goodbye Evgeni :sarcasm:

Ottawa was physicaly punishing him at every turn he touched the puck and taking time and space away. He will get use to that in the future and be a better player for it. On the other hand his hot dog antics after scoring at the world stage need to go. I beleive he did the same thing too few years ago vs. Team USA in the world juniors. Simply disgraceful. He needs to watch more of Sidney and be humble, I would hate to see him turn out like the playoff choker Kovalchuk and his antics :rant:

Um, lets not get overboard with the homerism yeah? Cros/Malkin and Kovalchuk all have the same amount of playoff experience. Both Atlanta and Pittsburgh didn't play well in their respective first round series.

Um, lets not get overboard with the homerism yeah? Cros/Malkin and Kovalchuk all have the same amount of playoff experience. Both Atlanta and Pittsburgh didn't play well in their respective first round series.

#1 Pens played arguably the best team going in the playoffs

#2 Pens didn't get swept

#3 Crosby scored 3 goals and 6 pts in his first 5 games and was the best player on the team every night (if not on both teams some nights)

#4 Crosby was checked by the best shutdown combo in the playoffs (Phillips/Volchenkov) who did the very same thing to Elias and his line.

#5 He is still a FREAKIN' teenager and not 24 lol (are you even suggesting Kovalchuk is in his league? lol Helo! 120 pts to 76 lol This guy is not even in the same park now guys @ or around his age age now i.e. Spezza taken #2 after him, Lecavalier, Heatley etc etc. I heard in 2001 a scout say in about 5 years when they are 25, Spezza would be the superior player and the one to build around. Boy was that guy smart scout!

#6 Malkin had 4 pts in 5 games and was shutdown as well but he is still only 20.

#7 I will forgive and forget if Kovalchuk contracted a Hossatitis however :D

Malkin had his first experience of playoff hockey he had 4 assists. Not bad in 5 games, but of course not good. Now a lot factored into that. First off the Sens did not want to lose to a team that can barely shave yet because if they did you can bet that the likes of Bryan Murray, Alfredsson and maybe even Emery would have been changed up. Keep in mind although Crosby played well he still had just one more point than Malkin. Crosby played better but still keep in mind some of the greatest to ever play the game didnt fare great in their 1st playoff appearance.

Gretzky had 3 points in 3 games. Messier had 3 points in three games. Sakic scored 105 points in '93 but only had 6 points in 6 games in his first playoffs. Lafleur had 5 points in 6 games. Lafontaine had 9 points in 16 games. Richard.........oh bad example. So anyone that thinks this is a problem needs to relax. Besides Malkin did very well in the WJC and when push came to shove in the big games he collapsed so let's just see if all of his points will even matter first in this tournament.

Oh and as for Kovalchuk I like what he did to Avery. Atlanta shouldnt have been swept and he can share some blame but not all of it. I too thought back in 2001 that Atlanta was making a huge mistake drafting Kovalchuk ahead of Spezza. I thought the same thing that Spezza would make the players around him better. I also said that last year when Crosby was being shelved over Ovechkin. It's funny how sometimes even the NHL Draft can get caught up in the heat of the moment( remember when Legwand was considered to be possibly #1 overall over Vinny in '98? Yikes!)

i would take kovy before spezza every day a year!!!!!!!!

Whoever has seen Malkin play in the PO for Pittsburgh and now for Russia - his game is night and day. He is one of the leaders of the team Russia, some of his plays are just sick. He was a different player 2 weeks ago. Anybody else think that he didn't really want to delay his departure for the Worlds?

A rookie getting 4pts in 5 games is not normally referred to as tanking it. Not great by any means, but a pretty good showing for a first NHL playoff appearance.

#1 Pens played arguably the best team going in the playoffs

#2 Pens didn't get swept

#3 Crosby scored 3 goals and 6 pts in his first 5 games and was the best player on the team every night (if not on both teams some nights)

#4 Crosby was checked by the best shutdown combo in the playoffs (Phillips/Volchenkov) who did the very same thing to Elias and his line.

#5 He is still a FREAKIN' teenager and not 24 lol (are you even suggesting Kovalchuk is in his league? lol Helo! 120 pts to 76 lol This guy is not even in the same park now guys @ or around his age age now i.e. Spezza taken #2 after him, Lecavalier, Heatley etc etc. I heard in 2001 a scout say in about 5 years when they are 25, Spezza would be the superior player and the one to build around. Boy was that guy smart scout!

#6 Malkin had 4 pts in 5 games and was shutdown as well but he is still only 20.

#7 I will forgive and forget if Kovalchuk contracted a Hossatitis however :D
No kidding, really? Why don't u put either of those 3 players on the same line with let's say sim and mellanby, and put kovalchuk on the line with alfie, st.louis, heater. R u sure any of those players u've just mentioned will get anywhere near to their last season's totals?

Well, looking at how much fun Malkin is having out there I can conclude one thing - Malkin preferred to be playing for Russia in Moscow than for Pens in the playoffs.

I think it's a long reach.

Well, looking at how much fun Malkin is having out there I can conclude one thing - Malkin preferred to be playing for Russia in Moscow than for Pens in the playoffs.

It is after stupid comment like that that some people starts to be racists and have prejudice against Russian players...

It is after stupid comment like that that some people starts to be racists and have prejudice against Russian players...


You got it, dude. That's why you have a racist talking to you every Saturday from your national TV.

It is after stupid comment like that that some people starts to be racists and have prejudice against Russian players...

I agree actually :handclap:


That's why you have a racist talking to you every Saturday from your national TV.

I agree actually :handclap:

Um, lets not get overboard with the homerism yeah? Cros/Malkin and Kovalchuk all have the same amount of playoff experience. Both Atlanta and Pittsburgh didn't play well in their respective first round series.
i agree that calling kovalchuk a choker is a little premature, but the pens and thrash performance were not comparable at all. atlanta put forward a joke of a performance against a far worse team.

#1 Pens played arguably the best team going in the playoffs

#2 Pens didn't get swept

#3 Crosby scored 3 goals and 6 pts in his first 5 games and was the best player on the team every night (if not on both teams some nights)

#4 Crosby was checked by the best shutdown combo in the playoffs (Phillips/Volchenkov) who did the very same thing to Elias and his line.

#5 He is still a FREAKIN' teenager and not 24 lol (are you even suggesting Kovalchuk is in his league? lol Helo! 120 pts to 76 lol This guy is not even in the same park now guys @ or around his age age now i.e. Spezza taken #2 after him, Lecavalier, Heatley etc etc. I heard in 2001 a scout say in about 5 years when they are 25, Spezza would be the superior player and the one to build around. Boy was that guy smart scout!

#6 Malkin had 4 pts in 5 games and was shutdown as well but he is still only 20.

#7 I will forgive and forget if Kovalchuk contracted a Hossatitis however :D

Yadda yadda yadda.

Re-read what I said. I wasn't comparing individual players like Crosby vs Kovalchuk. Everyone with half a brain knows that Cros > Kovy individually. I was talking about team performances. Yes, the Pens lasted 5 games while Atlanta got swept. Whoopie-freakin-doo. It doesn't hide the fact that both Pittsburgh and Atlanta were overwhelmed in their first playoff series in half a decade. Penguins didn't have the defense and tenacity to match the Sens; Atlanta likewise plus there were some questionable decision-makings with their goalies.

I am saying it's stupid to call Kovy a playoff choker when he and Crosby were both playoff rookies. It's a learning curve and they are both young. Comments like this make the rest of us Pens fans look bad.

i agree that calling kovalchuk a choker is a little premature, but the pens and thrash performance were not comparable at all. atlanta put forward a joke of a performance against a far worse team.

Atlanta did worse against the Rangers than we did against the Sens. I won't argue with that. My point is that the poster pengu was being hypocritical ripping on Kovy and the Thrashers when it was the first playoffs for both of them, and both the Pens and Thrashs were evidently overwhelmed. It's like the guy who finishes second-last in a race making fun of the guy who comes in last.

Atlanta did worse against the Rangers than we did against the Sens. I won't argue with that. My point is that the poster pengu was being hypocritical ripping on Kovy and the Thrashers when it was the first playoffs for both of them, and both the Pens and Thrashs were evidently overwhelmed. It's like the guy who finishes second-last in a race making fun of the guy who comes in last.
i agree with you there. both teams still have a lot to learn.

Whoever has seen Malkin play in the PO for Pittsburgh and now for Russia - his game is night and day. He is one of the leaders of the team Russia, some of his plays are just sick. He was a different player 2 weeks ago. Anybody else think that he didn't really want to delay his departure for the Worlds?

No I think he is soft and cant handle playoff hockey. NHL playoff hockey is way more intense then the world championships. Love his now second calling on the bench. Alot of class from a guy that folds when his team really needs him. Atleast this year in the playoffs.

On a side note whoever said Crosby didnt show up in the PO's is way off he was a threat every time he was on the ice.

Atlanta did worse against the Rangers than we did against the Sens. I won't argue with that. My point is that the poster pengu was being hypocritical ripping on Kovy and the Thrashers when it was the first playoffs for both of them, and both the Pens and Thrashs were evidently overwhelmed. It's like the guy who finishes second-last in a race making fun of the guy who comes in last.
I would not say ATL did worse. They've got swept, but 3 out of 4 games could've gone either way.

No I think he is soft and cant handle playoff hockey. NHL playoff hockey is way more intense then the world championships. Love his now second calling on the bench. Alot of class from a guy that folds when his team really needs him.

Well, one team is where he just works and the other one is his coutry team. From a Russian point of view it is ok to tank on the Pens, most important part is if he gives 110% for team Russia.

No I think he is soft and cant handle playoff hockey. NHL playoff hockey is way more intense then the world championships. Love his now second calling on the bench. Alot of class from a guy that folds when his team really needs him. Atleast this year in the playoffs.

On a side note whoever said Crosby didnt show up in the PO's is way off he was a threat every time he was on the ice.

that might be a bit harsh...he was probably fatigued come the end. 4 pts isnt as terrible as everyone is making it out to be. he decision making needs work- but he is a ROOKIE.

Well, one team is where he just works and the other one is his coutry team. From a Russian point of view it is ok to tank on the Pens, most important part is if he gives 110% for team Russia.
he left the rsl for the nhl. get over it already.

he left the rsl for the nhl. get over it already.

I realize that, but I am talking about country pride versu his work place, not one work place versus another work place.

Whoever has seen Malkin play in the PO for Pittsburgh and now for Russia - his game is night and day. He is one of the leaders of the team Russia, some of his plays are just sick. He was a different player 2 weeks ago. Anybody else think that he didn't really want to delay his departure for the Worlds?

Malkin is the best player in the world on "big ice" IMO.

malkin ran out of gas!!! hes still a kid and a few days off did wonders...it took him a little while to get back into the swing but come back he did......if only coach t gave him and a few others a few games off befor the playoffs started. we would of looked much better, we still might not have won:)
ps; he is now playing with wingers for the first time this year also

Its a ridiculous idea. He played his heart out in the playoffs. Last time I checked, nearly a point/game in the playoffs over a sample of only 5 games is pretty good. The team didn't play well as a whole, end of story.

i would take kovy before spezza every day a year!!!!!!!!

lol yea right, not just their regular season (76 pts 41 goals in 82 games Kovalchuk...87 pts 33 goals in 65 games Spezza) but do you have any idea how Spezza is actualy dominating in the playoffs? Have you been watching the last 2 series in the playoffs and last night Buffalo?

Spezza makes player around him BETTER because he is one of the best playmaking centers in the NHL. You will see, in a year or 2 only Crosby will have more assists. They guy is 22-23 lol and he could have had MORE GOALS than Kovalchuk the goal scorer this year lol If you look at him, you have the feel that he can get a lot a lot better. He is a lot better player this year than last in his overall game and diffensively, just as their opposition or Ottawa coach Bryan Murray who praising the guy non stop in the playoffs

Give me a franchise playhmaking CENTER anyday who can score 40 goals also in a heap a head of a star winger who's game is looking enigmatic. Heck Kovalchuk isnt even the best player on his team now in teh regular season.

Just wait 2 more years when Spezza is 25. That scout is going to even out do himself with those predictions favouring Spezza's game then.

I was talking about team performances. Yes, the Pens lasted 5 games while Atlanta got swept. Whoopie-freakin-doo. It doesn't hide the fact that both Pittsburgh and Atlanta were overwhelmed in their first playoff series in half a decade. Penguins didn't have the defense and tenacity to match the Sens; Atlanta likewise plus there were some questionable decision-makings with their goalies..

No it is not about one team getting swept and one losing to the same team in 5. Ottawa is a lot a lot better than NYR who swept ATL. Any chance you have been watching last night's game Ryan Miller standing on his freaking head and his tea still getting dominated @ home 5-2??? And THAT was the Buffalo Sabres, the team that eliminated the team that SWEPT Atlanta is 4 pathetic games including 2 blowouts in NY lol I mean 7-0 score to go down 3-0 in a series on a whimper like that?? That was simply humiliating, nevermind by a team who sneaked into the playoffs in the last week of the season.

If some one read your comments, they would think Pens and Atlanta put forward similar performances against similar opponents. Fleury played well (unlike Lehtonen), Crosby showed up (unlike 5 year older Kovalchuk) and even rookie Malkin had a lot better showing than the other star guy in ATL, Hossa.

http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20070420pdpensg_450.jpg

Doesn't look like someone who tanked it.

lol yea right, not just their regular season (76 pts 41 goals in 82 games Kovalchuk...87 pts 33 goals in 65 games Spezza) but do you have any idea how Spezza is actualy dominating in the playoffs? Have you been watching the last 2 series in the playoffs and last night Buffalo?

Spezza makes player around him BETTER because he is one of the best playmaking centers in the NHL. You will see, in a year or 2 only Crosby will have more assists. They guy is 22-23 lol and he could have had MORE GOALS than Kovalchuk the goal scorer this year lol If you look at him, you have the feel that he can get a lot a lot better. He is a lot better player this year than last in his overall game and diffensively, just as their opposition or Ottawa coach Bryan Murray who praising the guy non stop in the playoffs

Give me a franchise playhmaking CENTER anyday who can score 40 goals also in a heap a head of a star winger who's game is looking enigmatic. Heck Kovalchuk isnt even the best player on his team now in teh regular season.

Just wait 2 more years when Spezza is 25. That scout is going to even out do himself with those predictions favouring Spezza's game then.
So, what u r saying is: Spezza makes Alfie and Heater better players? Do u think if he was playing with Sim, Rucchin, Mellanby, etc he'd make them better too? Somehow I doubt he'd have the same point totals if he'd be playing with those guys, but what do I know.

So, what u r saying is: Spezza makes Alfie and Heater better players? Do u think if he was playing with Sim, Rucchin, Mellanby, etc he'd make them better too? Somehow I doubt he'd have the same point totals if he'd be playing with those guys, but what do I know.

Well he is the best player I have ever seen play for the sens. That includes Hossa, Yashin, Havlat, Heatley and Alfy. The guy is an absolute threat every time he is on the ice. Watch his puck control speed and creativity. Watch how one head fake backs off the defensemen because they know he can beat them with speed, a deke, a back door pass or a quick release. He has all the tools to beat you.

Alfredsson does it all but man Spezza makes this team tick. Everyone around him is better when he is on the ice. All 5 guys turn into a threat to score. The scary thing is like all big guys he just keeps getting better.

While I think Kovalchuk is a more effective player then Spezza when playing with guys like Sim Mellanby etc. Spezza would be the better player with skilled players. I dont think the basic nhler thinks on the same level offensively as Spezza so it doesnt mesh. I think he could take on a different style while playing with weaker players but he wouldnt be as affective.

I really don't know how Spezza got pulled into the mix; I just wanna see what Siberian says next.

Spezza makes player around him BETTER
Does Spezza make players around him better when he is injured? :sarcasm:

I really don't know how Spezza got pulled into the mix; I just wanna see what Siberian says next.

You're not the only one. I have very many followers.

You're not the only one. I have very many followers.

None of which are more Russian-biased than yourself... except maybe Muscle Bob.

Does Spezza make players around him better when he is injured? :sarcasm:
I believe he does, since when Spezza was out, Heatley never played as good during the season .
:biglaugh:

You got it, dude. That's why you have a racist talking to you every Saturday from your national TV.
If Malkin tanked the playoffs, then Don Cherry was right all along.

If Malkin tanked the playoffs, then Don Cherry was right all along.
and we all know cherry is right about as much as that other guy [ ek]

and we all know cherry is right about as much as that other guy [ ek]
I don't think that Malkin tanked, I think he's better than that. But if some Russians like to think that Russian players don't care about the NHL at all, then Don Cherry was right all along. I wonder if Ovechkin tanked the semi-final today; he wasn't that good right?

I don't think that Malkin tanked, I think he's better than that. But if some Russians like to think that Russian players don't care about the NHL at all, then Don Cherry was right all along. I wonder if Ovechkin tanked the semi-final today; he wasn't that good right?

Useless thread....players have too much pride to tank