Evgeni Malkin. Another Jamir Jagr?
He's been moved to the fourth line. Is this just punishment from Michel Therrien? I attribute it to being a rookie even at 20 which is still young. I hope he doesn't become another Jagr playing in a Lemieux shadow(Crosby) and feel like he isn't shining as brightly as he could. Those two could be an awesome one-two punch in years to come. I want both of them over 100 points a season. As well as Staal and Fleury and the rest of the cast. As i'm typing this Malkin just dumped the puck into the net. Anyone as psyched as I am about Pens hockey??
Answers:
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I see a lot of similarities in the playing styles of Evgeni Malkin and Jaromir Jagr, but I think that it will take Malkin a longer time to develop into the kind of player that Jagr was in his rookie season (and essentially is).When I watch Malkin play, I honestly don't think he's playing in Crosby's shadow. He's making a name for himself just fine...but sometimes his playing is what's keeping him from shining as brightly as he could - not Sid. It's his first year playing in the NHL and he's getting used to things. Regardless, Malkin needs to go to the net more, shoot more, and make his passes connect. Crosby can make a rink-long pass tape to tape without even looking, whereas Malkin has been giving the puck up with passes that don't make it to it's intended target. I sometimes wonder if it's due to a simple communication breakdown since he doesn't speak English. Gonchar can't be right by his side the entire game, translating... must be frustrating.
I also don't think that Therrien is punishing Malkin for anything. With Roberts being injured and the lines flip-flopping all season long, it's just the coach meshing his guys with each other. Like Sid said during intermission tonight, each guy on the team is comfortable playing with any other guy on the team, no matter which line is out. It's not inconsistency, it just depends on who's hot at the moment.
I'm pretty pumped that the Pens beat the Bruins tonight and took over the Division lead...watch out...here we come.
PS - I'm not dissing Malkin...he's one of my favorites!
Let's Go Pens!
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I'm not a fan of the Pens, but I see where you're getting at with Malkin. It's a really good possibility.He'll still have a great career, but will just never become the poster child for hockey.
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No way, u want another jagr, take Zach Parise who is a much better, more matured player then malkin! Penguins SUCK!!!Why is Mario Lemieux not as great as the "Great One"?
e.m. is not as close as sid to jagrHe is not used to such a long season but he is a rookie. Also, I don't know if him becoming a Jagr is such a bad thing. Those 2 are already an awesome 1-2 punch.
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He still plays on the pp unit so dont feel sorry for him. Hes a studI think he has the potential. the reason he's not playing on the top line is (if you watch pens hockey you know this already) he didn't play a real good game against the caps the other night and if you're playing good you will get promoted and one bad night will land you on a lower line, thats how the pens system works like it or not. he will come along and will be one of the great players in this league in a few years
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this two kids a great young players, they would get to frustrated if things aren't working out if there on the same line, so that's why its important to have veterans with young players to help them out. Crosby to me is already looking like a player that's been in the league for quit some time but this are things that happen to young players they tend to get very frustrated when things aren't going as planed. if its true what you said about Malkin being on the 4th line it might only go till the 2nd period and he will get some PP time that's for sure. TIME WILL TELL IF HES ANOTHER JAGR. CAUSE TO BE ANOTHER JAGR THAT'S SOMETHING SPECIAL.GO HABS GO!!!!!!!1
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I dont believe therrien is putting him on different lines as a punishment. I think a better reason would be the fact that lately malkin hasnt been performing quite as good as he was earlier on in the season producing goals. As you may have noticed, he was ahead of crosby for a long time, and then he hit a stretch of bad luck, and crosby passed him. Different lines doesnt mean better or worse talent. Each line has to put forth team effort, and right now he is just trying to see if he has good chemistry with a different line. With the pens fighting for home ice advantage in the playoffs, the last thing therrien is trying to do is punish anyone. He is trying to get the best possible results. The reason malkin and crosby only are on the same line once in a while is when they NEED points desperately in a game. The reason they arent always on the same line is because they try to even out the talent on different lines so they have goal scorers on seperate lines so there is no one weak link. And yes, I am a tremendous pens fan. And yes, you can look forward to a couple more stanley cups in the years to come because of the young talent of players like crosby, malkin, staal, and others. As for malkin being the next jagr, I dont think its fair to put him in the shadow of a previous pittsburgh great. Malkin will create his own legacy, as well as crosby.There is know way Malkin is another Jagr, because let see Malkin is from Russia and Jagr is from the Czech Republic.
I don't think he was moved to the fourth line as punishment, I think it was just a way to shake things up, and maybe kick start a few people. Malkin will be just fine. If he gets the right chemistry on a line, he can be unstoppable.
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To predict if Malkin could be another Jagr, is really a disservice to Malkin.In Jagr, you have a player who is probably one of the most talented forwards ever, if you look at raw talent. But he only uses his teammates up to a point, and is only a team player to a point. Is it any wonder why he hasn't played for a team that has gone deep in the playoffs ever since he left Pittsburgh? If there was an award for "most talented player who doesn't make adequate use of his linemates" then the frontrunners are: Jagr, Kovalev, Ovechkin, Zherdev. Even when he was starting out with the Pens, Jagr was I would say not as much of a team player as Malkin is now.
Jordin Staal may actually prove himself to be better than Malkin. But Malkin as another Jagr - naah.
Malkin has been a team player, has used his teammates, has done well. He reminds me of Marleau in San Jose - Malkin's role with Pittsburgh is like Marleau's in Pittsburgh. Not the same style of play between the two but the same role and the same attitude - team first.
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Yes I am thrilled about the penguins but I knew they would find success with the talent they were developing. As for Malkin being compared to Jagr I don't think that is completely fair. Malkin is a great forward and I honestly don't believe his behavior will ever be like Jagr's. He won't resent Sidney Crosby like jagr did Mario. Malkin was switched from the second line because he was in a slump. He is still a great player. He will be moved up again soon. This isn't a permanent thing. Remember the Penguins were struggling so Michel just changed or switched things up to experiment what could and wouldn't work. But the important thing is unlike in the past their are 4 good hard working lines.Who else thinks Thomas Vanek is a pansy?
Love the Pens, 100pts!! We just need NJ to lose! The Playoffs are going to be freakin' sweet!!As far as Malkin goes, I think he will be better than Jagr, I expect him to be up to Crosby's level, he has so much talent and potential. I am not sure if he will be in the shadow of Crosby, but with how the media is you know that may be how it gets look at. He was likely bumped because he has produced lately, but he is still very dangerous and a game breaker we have seen it through out the year. I really can't see him staying down there coem playoff time, he needs to be with Staal, and Oullette, or Roberts. They were a very solid line, even if they didn't score it was not lack of effort. There are still a few games left, I have a sneeky feeling Malkin will show up in these few games.
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think he needs time to grow into his own player and become an equal to crosby. also he is still learning english so he might start becoming more vocal in a few more seasons . and go pens!More Questions & Answers...