Bmwolf21 Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Looks like Metallurg wants $2M + to release Malkin to the Pengiuns/NHL. MOSCOW -- Russia's Metallurg Magnitogorsk will go to court to seek compensation from the Pittsburgh Penguins after the sudden disappearance of their best player, Evgeni Malkin, the Superleague club's head said on Sunday. "They all like to talk about democracy, the American way and then they shamelessly steal our best players. This is pure sports terrorism." Gennady Velichkin, Metallurg Magnitogorsk general director "We're all in shock," Gennady Velichkin said after Malkin, Pittsburgh's No. 1 pick in 2004, secretly fled Metallurg's training camp in Finland on Saturday just days after agreeing to a new contract with the club. "The players, coaching staff are also very upset because for four days Malkin was training with the team and suddenly he is gone without saying a word to anyone," he told Reuters in a telephone interview. Last week, Metallurg said that Malkin had annulled his previous contract with the club, which would have kept him in Magnitogorsk through April 2008. Instead, he had signed a new one-year deal after which he would become a free agent. But the young Russian, who turned 20 two weeks ago, has always stated his desire to play in the National Hockey League, saying he wanted to prove himself at a higher level. Velichkin blamed Malkin's American agents and his NHL club for stealing Russia's best players. "They all like to talk about democracy, the American way and then they shamelessly steal our best players. This is pure sports terrorism," said the Metallurg general director. "Don't forget, Malkin is a young kid, he is still very naive and it was easy for them to get into his head all that stuff about the American dream and how great the NHL is," he added. Read the entire story here. Personally, I think the "sports terrorism" line is a bit melodramatic, but I think their GM is right that having Malkin paired with Crosby could help push the franchise value up some. Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fighting Chicken Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Looks like Metallurg wants $2M + to release Malkin to the Pengiuns/NHL. Read the entire story here. Personally, I think the "sports terrorism" line is a bit melodramatic, but I think their GM is right that having Malkin paired with Crosby could help push the franchise value up some. Your thoughts? Usual crap really, Russian club greed versus what is best for the actual player himself. That "sports terrorism" quote is laughable, the only terrorism is giving a player no choice but to make a break for it when the chance arises and by trying to keep hold of him by the usual underhand bullying and threats that we've seen and heard about time and time again. Good on the kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Jay Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 That "sports terrorism" quote is laughable, the only terrorism is giving a player no choice but to make a break for it when the chance arises and by trying to keep hold of him by the usual underhand bullying and threats that we've seen and heard about time and time again. I think using the term "sports terrorism" the way they have, is beyond laughable or melodramatic, it's down right insulting. What did these people expect when they decided not to sign the transfer agreement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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