“Their top pick from the year before Crosby was still not in Pittsburgh. Tied up in a questionable contract situation with his home club in Russia.”
“In the 2004 draft lottery the Penguins missed out on getting the 1st overall pick, and promising Russian star Alexander Ovechkin. But they hoped fellow Russian Evgeni Malkin would turn into a prized selection when they picked him 2nd.”
“Just remember that his team did not want him to leave, so we were a little comcerned about that. I just remember we wanted Malkin here and Malkin wanted to be here, and be was going to find a way to do it.”
“He had a late summer tournement in Finland and it was the plan that once he got off the plane somebody would meet him and he would come this way. The Penguins were not directly involved in this but he stayed in a kind of safe house for a week and flew to the US and was able to sign his contract and chase his dream. This is really what he wanted to do and fortunatly for us it all worked out.”
“I remember my first game in the NHL. In the locker room I’m very nervous, first NHL game, after injury, you know. When I stepped into the ice I looked around at the fans and everyone is standing up and supporting me. I look around and it’s a dream come true. It’s an amazing moment.”
“Much like Lemieux opened his house to Crosby, fellow Russian Sergi Gonchar, offered a home and support to young Malkin.”
“We weren’t close but when I can to Pittsburgh he called me and said ‘stay at my house with my family.’ It was a surprise for me. He’s a great guy and an amazing player and I owe him a lot.”
