Malkin staying in Russia

[Jimmypop316]

The Russians want more $$ for their players. Thats why they havent signed.

Exactly, and they want to negotiate each player individually, so they can get higher $$ for their star players. That obviously isn't flying, and will never fly as players will defect now regardless of the transfer agreement.

They need to get just drop in and sign that agreement, because this is going to happen again and again, and each time they are going to only be awarded, guess what, 200k as per the old agreement.

[nivek_wahs]

I found this on ESPN.com... I don't think it was posted yet. It gives a slightly different perspective on the Malkin ordeal.

Malkin's problem? Trying too hard to please too many
Scott Burnside
ESPN.com

This is not Peter and Anton Stastny risking their lives to defect from communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in the summer of 1980.

This is not Petr Klima meeting Detroit Red Wings officials in a German wood to secure his passage to the West in the mid-1980s.

This is not Sergei Fedorov leaving friends and family behind in Russia at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle.

This Evgeni Malkin brouhaha is nothing of the sort. This is a boy, possessed of immense skill, promising too many things to too many people. Nothing more, nothing less.

Cloak and dagger? Ha.

Run and hide is more like it. After all, it's not as though Malkin tunneled his way out of Stalag 17 to freedom. The talented forward left a democratic country with open borders. Until he resurfaced in Los Angeles on Thursday, Malkin was not in hiding, he was simply hiding out. And that's a subtle but important distinction.

"He's a remarkable hockey player," a source familiar with the Malkin situation told ESPN.com. "But if Malkin gave you his word on anything, then you couldn't trust him. Look at his history."

Malkin, 20, is the proverbial couch cushion; whoever comes in contact with him last leaves a lasting impression.

Malkin's father, a former Russian elite league player, insisted Malkin should remain in Russia and Malkin dutifully signed a deal through 2008 with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. That contract had no "out" clause that would have allowed him to pursue his NHL career, even though he is widely considered the best player outside the NHL.

Who signs a deal like that? Someone who's getting bad advice and who's trying too hard to please everyone in his world.

In this case, Malkin's Russian advisers have a history of being compensated by Metallurg owners for delivering players to the team, so it's no wonder Malkin signed the long-term deal even though it made little sense in terms of his career, the source told ESPN.com. The source added that those same owners were so eager to keep Malkin in Russia for the coming season they were willing to pay North American agents to see that it happened.

Not that there hasn't been pressure from other directions.

The Pittsburgh Penguins would dearly love to see the second overall pick in the 2004 draft in their lineup on Opening Night in October. And certainly the lure of the NHL is strong for Malkin, especially given what Olympic teammate Alexander Ovechkin accomplished last season, taking the league by storm while playing with the Washington Capitals.

So, Malkin balked at the deal that he, himself, signed and dismissed high-profile agents Pat Brisson (who represents future teammate Sidney Crosby) and J.P. Barry before signing in June with the dean of NHL agents, Don Meehan, who represents Ovechkin and who helped shepherd Ovechkin through a court challenge from Moscow Dynamo last fall.

But Malkin's flip-flopping wasn't over.

Several weeks ago, Malkin severed ties with Meehan and returned to the Brisson/Barry camp. Malkin also managed to dispose of the two years remaining on his deal with Magnitogorsk and signed, some say under duress in the middle of the night, a one-year deal with the Russian team for the coming season.

Then, as the Metallurg squad prepared for training camp in Helsinki, Finland, last week, Malkin disappeared. From whom or what he was hiding in recent days is anyone's guess.

"He let the pressure get to him," his coach in Russia, Dave King, a former NHL and Canadian national team coach, told a Toronto sports radio station this week.

Poor Malkin.

Although it would appear Malkin has stepped right into the pages of a John LeCarre novel, he is unique only in his propensity to sign on for anything with anyone. His exit strategy is no different from that of a handful of other players who have taken advantage of a Russian labor law that allows any worker to give his employer two weeks' notice and hit the road.

Alexei Mikhnov, the Edmonton Oilers' first pick, 17th overall in the 2000 draft, secured his release from Yaroslavl in this manner, as did Andrei Taratukhin, the Flames' second-round pick in the 2001 draft. Why no fuss over these players' departures from the Russian elite league? Well, they didn't sign a series of contracts with their Russian clubs before bolting and they don't represent the cash cow Malkin does to the Russian hockey powers.

Although Malkin will be bound by the same restrictions any NHL rookie faces with his entry-level contract, his earning potential is vast. He is also crucial to a Penguins' team whose own future is very much in doubt.

Thus, for team owners in the Russian elite league, Malkin was seen as a great weapon in their plan to either extract large sums of money from the Penguins or deny him access to the NHL in the hopes of securing a more lucrative transfer agreement with the NHL. It appears the Russians, who have refused to sign the International Ice Hockey Federation's current transfer agreement with the NHL, dream of a hockey world where teams are paid a king's ransom, as is the case with star soccer players.

That will never happen in hockey.

Perhaps the $200,000 fee paid by the NHL and its teams for European players doesn't seem like much compared with the $93 million Real Madrid paid to secure Zinedine Zidane from Juventus Turin. But the NHL is not beholden to the IIHF.

If IIHF member nations Sweden or the Czech Republic, major sources of NHL talent, suddenly decided they wanted $1 million per player, the NHL would walk away and simply sign players on its own, leaving the European countries with nothing, the same nothing the Russians are getting for their players now.

The NHL also has the power to deny players the ability to participate in IIHF events such as the World Championship or, at the very least, to make it very difficult for them to take part. This is a sensitive issue for the Russians, who are accusing the NHL of "sports terrorism" in the Malkin case but are hosting this year's World Championship in St. Petersburg and desperately want available NHL players to take part.

The Malkin affair does little to dispel the notion that the Russian elite league is little more than a shadow front for mobsters and bullies who will stop at nothing to get what they want whether it's money or hockey players -- mostly money.

Sources tell ESPN.com that new national hockey czar, Hall of Fame netminder Vladislav Tretiak -- appointed by Hall of Fame defenseman Slava Fetisov, who is the head of Russian sport -- was willing to sign the transfer agreement with the IIHF but folded when he was pressured by some Russian club owners.

"He is a terrific ambassador. Not such a good administrator," said one source close to the proceedings.

One longtime NHL agent, Matt Keator, suggested this case might be the catalyst to get the Russians and the NHL to resolve their differences because the situation will be repeated again and again until it is resolved.

"Perhaps this situation will bring the parties together to find common ground," Keator said.

As for Malkin, it's no slam dunk that he'll be in a Penguins jersey at the start of the season. It seems certain the Russians will sue Malkin and/or the Penguins, arguing that the two weeks' notice law in Russia was not meant for an athlete who signs a contract, as Malkin did.

[nivek_wahs]

from sportsnet.ca

Malkin hopes to join Pens soon
August 21, 2006

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Evgeni Malkin skated again with several NHL players Monday at the Los Angeles Kings' practice rink, and his agent said he was optimistic the 20-year-old hockey star will soon become a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"This is why we're here," Pat Brisson said. "We're going to do everything in our power to help him reach his goal -- to be playing with the Penguins on opening night."

Malkin, considered one of the best players in the world not playing in the NHL, left his Russian Super League team earlier this month during its training camp in Helsinki, Finland, because of his desire to join the Penguins.

"He wants to follow his dream, he wants to play in the NHL," Brisson said, adding Malkin is in good hockey shape and was skating Monday for the third time since arriving in the Los Angeles area last Wednesday.

Brisson said he hasn't discussed a contract with the Penguins yet.

"Once we decide it's the right time to move forward, it shouldn't be a problem," the agent said. "He could be here another 10 days."

Malkin did not speak with reporters Monday.

"Due to the legality and the situation we're in, it's a little sensitive," Brisson said.

Brisson works for Creative Artists Agency, which represents about 60 NHL players. He is working with lawyers to determine when Malkin can join the Penguins, who made him the second overall selection in the 2004 NHL draft.

Within hours of Malkin leaving his team, his agents faxed a letter of resignation to the Metallurg team. Under Russian law, Malkin can quit his job by giving two weeks' notice, even if he is under contract.

Once the two-week period is up, it is believed Malkin can sign an entry-level, three-year contract.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero issued a statement last Thursday saying the team looks forward to meeting with Malkin and his representatives "to discuss what can be a very bright future with the Pittsburgh Penguins."

The NHL has not publicly stated any support for Malkin, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly has said the league believes any player should have the right to choose where he wants to play as long as he is legally free to do so.

Brisson said Malkin went to the beach Sunday, and will work out Tuesday and Thursday with T.R. Goodman, a personal trainer who trains most of the NHL players represented by CAA.

"He's here to work, acclimate himself," Brisson said.

[nivek_wahs]

From tsn.ca http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=175115&hubname=

NHL and Russia angry over player battles

Canadian Press
8/23/2006 5:02:05 PM

(CP) - While Evgeni Malkin's flight to the NHL has incensed Russian hockey officials, some NHL executives are growing hot under the collar at watching their players abandon North America for greener pastures in Russia.

Already the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders have lost three players to Russia this summer. Mark Gandler, the agent who represents those players, says Russia is an attractive option for "young, vibrant talent which is not properly treated (by NHL teams)."

Winger Eugeni Artukhin rejected Tampa's last offer and has signed on for more money in his native Russia. The same goes for Russian defenceman Denis Grebeshkov and Finnish winger Sean Bergenheim of the Islanders.

All three will earn more money this season playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

"In Russia the taxes are 13 per cent, so it's relatively speaking tax-free," explained Gandler, whose firm International Sports Advisors has some 25 NHL players, half of them Russian. "They also usually have bonuses on top of everything, a free apartment, a free car, basically perks."

All three are restricted free agents in the NHL, which means the Lightning and Islanders have no legal recourse compared to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the Russian club threatening to sue the NHL because it says Malkin is under contract with them.

The Vancouver Canucks lost backup goalie Mika Noronen to Russian league club Ak Bars Kazan earlier this month while star winger Nikolai Zherdev has also threatened to stay on in Russia this season if the Columbus Blue Jackets don't pony up.

Zherdev is the only first-line player among them. The others find themselves squeezed in the NHL's salary cap system where most of the money goes to the marquee names.

That Artukhin, Grebeshkov and Bergenheim are Gandler's clients is just a coincidence, the agent said from his New Jersey office. He vehemently denies the rumour that he was getting a cut from Russian league clubs to deliver them NHL players.

"What I have a problem with is people thinking that I would take a bona fide NHL player and place him in Russia and basically hurt him and his career for personal gain," said Gandler. "I don't deserve that after 16 years in the business."

Either way, Lightning GM Jay Feaster didn't hide his frustration in losing Artukhin.

"This is just ridiculous," said Feaster. "This is a player who finally shows that maybe he can play in the league and he was one year of NHL time under his belt and then decides he's going to go play in Russia."

Feaster offered the 23-year-old Artukhin, who had four goals and 13 assists in 72 games last season, a $600,000 US one-year and one-way deal, an upgrade on his qualifying offer which only called for a two-way deal that paid $495,000 in the NHL and $95,000 in the AHL. But Artukhin and Gandler told Feaster they wouldn't accept anything under $750,000.

"We have Ryan Craig sitting there in our locker-room, he signed a $495,000 (two-way contract) and he scored 15 goals for us last year," said Feaster. "So it's a little tough to accept that for some inexplicable reason that Artukin ought to be making $750,000."

Gandler confirmed Feaster's version of the contract talks.

"They've negotiated in good faith and I have no problems with Jay whatsoever," said Gandler. "We have a difference of opinion on the value of the player.

"He didn't expect to play much again, which was also a factor."

Feaster intimated that in fact Artukhin was told he would have a bigger role this season.

"I had (head coach) John Tortorella talk to him about his projected role to help him understand that we're looking out for his development," said Feaster. "And he just goes and screws off to Russia."

Gandler felt the Islanders disrespected Bergenheim in contract talks.

"Just the way he was treated by the team and spoken to . . . and I have to include myself in that. Sean said to me he will never play for $500,000 in the NHL - no matter what. And that's his final decision," said Gandler. "He's making pretty good money in Russia, he's on the top line, he's treated well, and he's continuing his development."

Bergenheim, 22, had four goals and five assists in 28 games with the Islanders last season, his second in the NHL.

"We like Sean Bergenheim," said new Isles GM Garth Snow. "We offered him a one-way contract and the opportunity of a regular spot in the National Hockey League. He has played 46 NHL games over two seasons, so we feel our offer was more than fair. If Sean's decision is to play in Russia for what he feels is a better deal, that's his call. He's still a part of our future."

As for Grebeshkov, the 22-year-old wasn't offered a one-way deal.

"Denis did not want to sign a two-way deal," said Gandler. "So the Islanders have lost a first-round pick (18th overall by the Kings in 2002) because for whatever reason they decided they didn't want to pay him one-way money."

Said Snow: "Denis is a good prospect who took what he thought was a better opportunity to play at home for a year. We wish him well and hope to see him back here soon."

What does this all mean in the big picture?

"I think it's something where we're going to have to be careful about drafting players out of there," said Feaster.

Gandler says that's already happening.

"Check out this year's draft, you see any Russians in the first round? They're already scared to draft them because there's no agreement and they're not sure whether they can sign them or not."

Technically, two Russians were taken in the first round: goalie Semen Varlamov by Washington, 23rd overall, and defenceman Ivan Vishnevskiy, 27th overall by Dallas. Still, no Russians were taken in the top 20. In the 2005 entry draft? Not a single Russian in the first round. The first wasn't taken until the 70th selection.

"It is a concern globally," Feaster said when asked about Russian players staying home to play. "As I try to analyse all those situations and certainly our own, the one thing I believe is that there aren't many North American players who are going to consider that to be an attractive option, going to play in Russia. And yet for the Russian player, it often is."