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Evgeni Malkin: Option 1A of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
Written by: Eugene Belashchenko on 06/19/2004 
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HISTORY:
Evgeni Malkin is a product of the Metallurg Magnitogorsk hockey school, and has consistently been the top scorer on Russia’s ‘86 national team. He made his debut on the U18 squad during last season’s 2003 U18 World Junior Championships, where he skated on the top line with Alexander Ovechkin. He made his Super League debut during the 2003-04 season, working his way up from the fourth line. Despite being knocked out of the lineup for the last couple of months of the season, he was voted Russian Super League’s (Russia 1) Rookie of The Year for the 2003-04 season. Please refer to the U18 WJC review regarding a detailed evaluation of Evgenii Malkin’s performance at that tournament.
U18 WJC (April 2004) Grade: A: Despite the concerns that the concussion he suffered a couple of months earlier would sideline the young forward from the U18 WJC, Malkin looked very strong during the training camp, showing no signs of the injury. He delivered an excellent performance at tournament. The talented center started the tournament off a bit slow, with his line struggling to put the puck in the net. As the tournament went on, Malkin’s production returned to normal, and the center finished second in scoring on the Russian squad behind only Roman Voloshenko. The young forward possesses a great combination of size, skill and hockey sense. He did not hesitate to throw his body around and often dictated the tempo of the game with his speed, passing and great puckhandling.
A big difference between the U18 WJC and the previous tournaments was the fact that Malkin was forced to carry his line a lot more than before. At the previous tournaments, which were mostly against European squads, his smaller linemates Denis Parshin and Dmitri Shitikov could hold their own physically against the opponents. The two young forwards, especially Parshin, struggled to adjust to the more physical hockey against bigger opponents. Malkin did effectively interact with Parhsin, who set up Malkin up on several occasions. He also played well with Kiril Lyamin, who often skated with the forwards in the offensive zone. Shitikov’s role was more that of clean up, as he scored most of his goals by collecting the rebounds near the crease and putting them in the net. While Malkin was effective in the earlier games of the tournament, he really revved up his game during the semifinals and finals games against Canada and the US. Against Canada, the talented center was a threat whenever he hit the ice and set up an open net goal by Shitikov early in the game, and then scored a goal of his own. Regardless of his production, which was impressive on its own, Malkin showed a lot of leadership, delivering a consistent presence at both ends of the ice and taking a lot of pressure off his linemates, as well as the other lines. The young forward was solid defensively throughout the tournament, logging a lot of time in shorthanded situations.
1986 DOB 5 Nations Tournament (Feb. 2004) Grade B: Malkin finished the tournament atop all Russian players in goals scored with four. However, considering his immense potential and previous performances, this outing was only average for Russia’s talented center. For various reasons, the young forward could not convert on all his scoring chances and just didn’t get the bounces to go his way. Despite the problems, Malkin did manage to score when it mattered –- including the deciding penalty shot in Russia’s 6-5 victory over Team USA. Defensively he played very well, showing off his skating and vision of the ice. In addition, while not a physical player, Malkin did not hesitate to move through traffic and use his imposing frame to fight at the boards. After the tournament, Malkin suffered a concussion. Fortunately, it was not serious and U18 Team Russia’s best player will likely be back in the lineup for the U18 WJC.
2003 World Cup (August 2003) Grade: 9.0/10: Had a great tournament, finishing it as Team Russia’s MVP. Centered Russia’s first line, between Denis Parshin and Dmitri Shitikov. Suffered an injury in the first game, when, after scoring two goals, Malkin went for the third, shot the puck to the five hole, the puck made it’s way under the goalie, but stayed on the line. The young forward went in to finish the play, and a collision occurred at the net between him, a defenseman and the goalie. As a result Malkin sprained his knee. He was able to come back and finish the tournament, but wasn’t 100 percent from that point on.
TALENT ANALYSIS
Skating: A technically sound skater... great balance and lateral movement...very good top speed...above average acceleration... needs to further improve his first step and his aggressiveness. Shot: Possesses a great slap shot, which is precise with a lot of power and a quick release...possesses a very dangerous wrist shot. Technical Ability: Has very soft hands -- possibly the softest in the 2004 draft...a capable puck handler...a very good stick handler with excellent control. Faceoffs: Above average at the faceoff circle, but needs to gain power to further improve his technique, as he struggles to win face-offs in the Super League (Russia 1) against stronger veteran professionals. Pass: An superb passer with excellent poise and timing...capable of making quick, precise passes over long distances...also great at making no-look passes...possesses one unique and very effective move: he leaves the puck behind for another player, while remaining in motion, doing it so deceptively that the opposition often continues to concentrate on him for several seconds. Hockey Sense: A very mature player...very calm, collected and mentally strong... possesses great vision of the ice...has a great awareness of his linemates, anticipating where they are going to be and making great, sometimes “blind” passes. Defensive Play: Very responsible in his own zone, with great awareness...uses his slap shot more often then his wrist shot because he often remains closer to the blue line to make sure the defensive zone is covered in the case of a rush the other way...a very good skater backwards...reads the plays very well, intercepting passes, lifting a player’s stick at the right moment...can make a great first pass out of the defensive zone. Physical Play: Isn’t naturally a physical player, preferring more of a European, technical style of hockey...can take and deliver physical punishment very well, even at the Super League level...great awareness under pressure and is very hard to knock off the puck…even if a body is between him and the puck, he uses his reach and great stick handling ability to direct the puck to a teammate and away from the opponent...fights hard at the boards, but here again, needs to bulk up to be more effective, but already very hard to knock down.
NHL:
Malkin is a great package of size and skill. He is responsible defensively and has great awareness at both ends of the ice. The young forward’s upside in the NHL would be that of a top line center. Very importantly, the talented center has spent the entire 2003-04 season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Super League (Russia 1), gaining valuable seasoning from the experienced Super League veterans and former NHLers, who stock the wealthy club’s roster. The young forward further boosted his draft stock with top notch performances at both the U20 and the U18 WJC tournaments.
RP Draft Projection: Second overall pick
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For detailed profiles beyond the top 5 Russian prospects eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, subscribe to RussianProspects Premium Coverage or purchase the RussianProspects 2004 NHL Entry Draft Guide for only 8.95! |
STATISTICS:
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
| 2003-04 | Team Russia 86 | 5 Nations Tourn | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
| 2003-04 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk | Super League (Reg. Season) | 34 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 12 | - |
| 2003-04 | U18 Team Russia | U18 WJC (Intl.) | 6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 31 | +4 |
| 2003-04 | U20 Team Russia | U20 WJC (Intl.) | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | +2 |
| 2003-04 | Team Russia 84 | 4 Nations Tourn. (Intl.) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 2003-04 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk | Romazan Cup (Preseason) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| 2002-03 | Metallurg Magnit. 86 | Jr. League (Playoffs) | 7 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 6 | - |
| 2002-03 | Team Ural Region 86 | Regional Tourn. (Intl.) | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | - |
| 2002-03 | Team Russia 86 | 5 Nations Tourn. (Intl.) | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | - |
| 2002-03 | Team Russia 86 | 6 Nations Tourn. (Intl.) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0 | - |
| 2002-03 | U18 Team Russia | U18 WJC IIHF (Intl.) | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
| 2002-03 | Team Russia 86 | Junior World Cup (Intl.) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | -3 |
| 2001-02 | Metallurg Magnit. 85 | Jr. League (Playoffs) | 7 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 | - |
| 2001-02 | Team Ural Region 85 | Regional Tourn. (Intl.) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | - |
| 2001-02 | Team Ural Region 86 | Regional Tourn. (Intl.) | 5 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 6 | - |
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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