Report about Russian contract offer to Malkin gets IIHFâ€™s attention

2008-06-20 11:36:18

A Toronto Star report suggesting several Russian teams are ready to offer Penguins star Evgeni Malkin a multi-year deal worth $12.5 million per season spurred an unusual response from the International Ice Hockey Federation Friday.

A press release sent to media members led off by saying, “Although the International Ice Hockey Federation does not usually issue statements following unsubstantiated media reports, the IIHF finds it principally important to address the newspaper story,” and issued the following statement from IIHF president René Fasel:

“Although there will be no imminent Player Transfer Agreement between the IIHF and the NHL, all involved parties are in principal agreement to honor each other’s contracts. The NHL has informed the IIHF that this will be the policy of the league during the period without a PTA, and conversely, the IIHF has obligated its member national federations and leagues to do the same in its relations with the NHL.”

“We would view any signing, from either side, of a player under a valid contract, who does not have any legally valid out-clause, to be a clear violation of the mutual understanding and existing principle. It would potentially be punishable with suspended national team eligibility and suspension from all competition or activity organized by the IIHF or any IIHF member national association. This would include events like the Olympic Winter Games, the IIHF World Championship or international club competitions like the Champions Hockey League."

"Given this, we are confident that the report is not substantiated."

The Star story quotes a “high-ranking executive” as saying:

"Hey, we can afford to pay more than the NHL right now. Our economy is commodities-based so we're not going through the same problems that you have in America."

The new Continental Hockey League, which is slated to begin play Sept. 2, will employ a salary cap thought to be in the $25-$30 million range. According to the report, however, Malkin’s proposed deal would not count against the cap since he’s already under contact with an NHL team.

COMMENTS (9)

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robert chanda Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:48)

Even after being outscored and outplayed by 4 of the elite players in the game lidstrom, rafalski, datsyk and zetterberg (as quoted by babcock) it always amazes me how some still think crosby is the greatest player currently playing. Besides having a lot more to prove before comparisons can even begin to be murmured between lemeiux, howe, orr and gretzky, crosby has more schooling ahead of him by way of outplaying the current elite stars on the wings team. Crosby regular season +/- 18 (29th overall) compared to datsyk - 41, lidstrom - 40, hank Z - 30, kronwall - 25, cleary - 21, samualsson 21. Playoffs same sort of thing crosby +/- 7 11th place on a team that went to finals with relative ease. Crosby scores 6 points in 6 games against detroit while playing the most minutes on the ice for the pens. If gretzky, lemeiux, howe, orr, yzerman, messier and others too many to mention would have put up both stronger offensive and defensive (+/-) then crosby. In addition a couple of hits and we saw what happened the last game and the crying during the regular season. He is young with many years of hockey to compete for his place as one of the all time greats however if his overall game does not include both ends of the ice in the category of elite defense how can one mention crosby in the same sentence as these guys. heck i think lemeiux and gretzky hit 50 +/- in a year when the style of play in the league was a lot tougher then with clutch, grab and trap while sporting the likes of domi, semenko, probert and the rest of the WWF wrestling cast to pretty much slow down and cheap shot the skilled players. Crosby would find life a lot tougher in the 80s and 90s and would probably welcome getting outplayed opposite zetterberg versus spending half his time on the ice running scared from the enforcers of yesterday.

Pedro for the village of El G Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:40)

Its a good thing they aren't playing hockey in the UAE or Saudi Arabia...this global economy has the Russians rolling in enough cash to enable them to throw offers like that around...imagine if the Arabs were players in the whole deal...on the other hand it is one good way to bring back some good ole North American only hockey...let them poach all the Euro's they want...maybe the game won't be so freakin soft then...chalk up your list of the five toughest players in the NHL now...how many Euros are you counting...now the toughest five of all time...how about ten for that matter...no Euros on my list...I say let them poach

Carey Miller Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:34)

For about a dozen good reasons I can't Malkin going back to Russia. The main ones being he dominated the NHL last year, and the effort he made to get out of there in the first place. As a Pens fan, I am of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with having both on board (duh!). The whole point of drafting and trading is to GET guys like Malkin and Crosby. No way they make any effort to get rid of either. Even in a cap world, if they combine for 22 million in salary that still leaves 34 million for the rest of the roster which may mean a guy like a Malone might leave or maybe a Ryan Whitney down the road, but they are not going to touch the cornerstones.

Ron Vassel Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:34)

Fred –I am both a Penguins fan and a season ticket holder who believes Geno is a phenomenal player. I certainly can accept that other people think that other players in the NHL are as good as Crosby (though it is difficult to care about their opinions when they show their bias and foolishness by calling Sid “Cindy”), just as I accepted that people thought that Mark Messier was as talented as Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux or that Phil Mickelson was as good as Tiger Woods – comparisons that in time prove themselves silly. That’s not to say that Mark Messier or Phil Mickelson are not among the best players in their sport… but Gretzky and Lemieux (at least when you look at hockey from the late 70s on) and Woods are at a different level of excellence. It’s difficult for me to find much interest in comparing the Geno and Sid since they are both on the Pens… though I usually find that the people who compare them typically haven’t watched them as much as Penguins’ fans have and do not have a true appreciation for what makes Sid so outstanding. If one guys scores a 95 on a test and the other has a 100, it’s silly to focus on the 5 point difference rather than appreciating how well each did… but there’s no question that a 100 score is better than a 95.

Fred Bartsch Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:30)

Observation- I don't know if the below stated opinions are from Penguins fans, but if they are, I think that it shows that many Penguins fans just can't accept any opinions that Malkin might be a better overall player than Crosby. It also shows me that these Penguins fans (if that's what they are) sure do seem to have some kind of a problem with Malkin challenging Crosby for any team headlines or talent. I sure do wish that common sense would prevail, and just show some gratitude that both of these players are on the same team. The only REAL difference that I see, is that (1) is a Canadian and (1) is a Russian. Could it be that Canadians(or should I say North Americans) just can't seem to accept someone challenging "THE SAVIOR" of the NHL? If these opinions are from Penguins fans then I definately think you show a problem, as you JUST CAN'T accept anyone having an opinion that might feel other players in the NHL are just as good as Cindy. Again just an observation!

pat Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:29)

How's Crosby not showing greatness? He was tied with Zetterberg for the playoff points lead. Honestly, if Malkin gets stolen, Hossa will get a fat contract and retire a Penguin. That, I could live with.

Joe Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:28)

Bob-how do you say the youngest player ever to win the Art Ross isn't living up to the hype? He played 10 times better then Malkin in the finals.

King Penguin Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:26)

"Nyet" to this talk of Malkin leaving the NHL. So sayeth King Penguin!

Bob Allisat Posted
(2009-04-30 06:27:26)

The Penguins are going to either lose Malkin to the KHL or lose him by trading him away one day. When Crosby was downed to injury Malkin was obviously the undisputed leader. And his play was less than stellar after The Chosen One returned to play. In my estimation Malkin is the better player. But the NHL, slow poke Lemieux and his Pittsburgh cohorts have selected Crosby to lead even if he's not the best. So either Malkin gets used to unhappily being second fiddle or he's winning games/series/future Stanley cups on another team. As Mr. Big not Mr. Also Ran. Crosby just hasn't shown the greatness he's billed for. Malkin, on the other hand has done so and more. Let's see how they both fare next year and hope they both maintain good health. Then I'm betting Malkin will prove me right causing a move to happen. Let's see...