Malkin Can Increase His Payday If he Can Keep Pens Afloat

With Sidney Crosby sidelined for up to 8 weeks with a high ankle sprain, Evgeni Malkin now gets the opportunity to show he is talented enough to take a team on his shoulders.  It seems to be the year of the Russian superstar, as Ilya Kovalchuk (Thrashers), Alex Ovechkin (Capitals) and Alexei Kovalev (Canadiens) all have stepped up this year.  All are on teams that are performing above expectations this season, thanks in no small part to the offensive production and leadership of their Eastern Bloc Superstars.

Most progosticators are expecting the Penguins to fade away without Crosby, the Penguins captain and leading scorer.  If they are to prove the detractors wrong, it'll be because of Malkin.  In the 3 games since sid got hurt, "Geno" has 4 goals and 1 assist.  There's never been a question as to whether Malkin has the talent to be a top flight producer in the NHL. 

As the rookie of the year last season, Malkin scored 33 goals and 52 assists for a total of 85 points.  Outside of Alex Ovechkin, no Calder Trophy winner has scored as many goals in his rookie season since Teemu Selanne scored 76 in 1994-95.  What has been questioned about Malkin is his leadership.

Most of the leadership questions stem from his inability/unwillingness to learn the English language.  That's hogwash.  Leadership is more than words.  It has long been said the best aspect of Crosby's game is his work ethic.  When your best player is your hardest worker, a coach shouldn't have to motivate his team.  I don't have to talk to you to outwork you. 

Since Crosby has gone down, Malkin is consistently the last person to leave the ice.  Not only during games, but after practice as well.  He has stepped up his play in his own zone, as well.  i have noticed several occasions recently where he has stripped an opposing player from behind while chasing down the play.  Thursday, against the Flyers, twice he broke up a play behind his own goal.

Malkin has also improved his ability to speak English, although he is still guarded with this.  His teammates constantly talk about his sense of humor, and local reporters have written about how much he's improved both his ability and his willingness to speak to them.

Malkin's entry level contract expires after next season.  With his rival, Alex Ovechkin, recently getting the richest contract in NHL history, you can bet Malkin wants to prove he's worthy of top-dog dollars as well.  To get them, he has to prove he can be as valuable to his team as Ovechkin is to the Caps.  With Crosby around, "Geno" wouldn't have had the opportunity to do so.  With Sid out, Malkin gets a two month audition to prove his worth.  I know I'm not betting against him.

Zetterberg Worthy of MVP Consideration

There has been plenty of articles written about the award races at the half-way point.  I can't understand why Zetterberg's name doesn't come up when discussing the Hart Trophy.  The Detroit Red Wings have been dominant this season, and with 28 goals and 61 points, Zetterberg has been their best player. 

Goalies Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek get plenty of credit for their stellar play, but the Red Wings give up the fewest shots in the NHL by a wide margin.  The Wings play a puck-possession game that limits the opportunities of their competitors, and Zetterberg seems to always be on the ice for the Wings.  Only 3 times in 44 games has he skated less than 20 minutes. 

Every team in the NHL has gone through a rough patch this season, where they just can't seem to fire on all cylinders and pull out a win.  The Red Wings are the exception.  Only once (November 11-17) have the Wings dropped 3 straight games, and they lost those games by a total of 4 points.  This team doesn't leave many points on the table.

Boyes Breaking Out

Look at the list of goal scoring leaders in the NHL this season, and you may be surprised to see Brad Boyes of the Blues sitting in 6th place.  I'm not.  I live in Erie, PA, where Boyes played his junior hockey for our local OHL team.  Boyes twice won the OHL MVP award, and led the Otters to the OHL championship before turning pro.  He has always had the ability to elevate the play of those around him, but because he was the best player by far on his team, he would set up more goals than he scored.  Now that he's playing with Paul Kariya, keith Tkachuk and Andy McDonald, he's been able to show off his finishing touch.  he has a dynamic wrist shot, and the ability to pin-point it's location in an instant.

Brad Boyes will have his #16 retired by the Erie Otters tonight.  What a great honor for a player who captivated a small Pennsylvania town.  It's hard to believe that, of all the players on that OHL championship team, none come back to the Erie area as much as Brad Boyes.

St. Louis is blessed to have him now.  Boyes' contract is up after this season.  Blues President John Davidson would be wise to lock Boyes up with a 6 or 7 year contract.  He'll probably score 50 goals this season, and is exactly the type of player the Blues need to build their future around.