Malkin waiting for Crosby in KHL

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Published time: December 20, 2012 20:34
Edited time: December 21, 2012 00:34

Hockey star Evgeny Malkin says the agent of his Pittsburgh Penguins partner, Sidney Crosby, has already contacted the Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s administration about him joining the KHL side.

­“Everybody’s waiting for him here,” Malkin told Sportbox.ru. “I know that his agent called [Metallurg’s general manager, Gennady] Velichkin. But no decision has been made yet. Crosby has pretty big insurance. I don’t know how they’ll resolve this issue.”

Malkin was one of the first NHL greats to move to the KHL after the lockout in North American hockey was announced, returning to Magnitogorsk where he began his career.

Unlike his Russian partner, Crosby was in no hurry to cross the Atlantic, but – with no end in sight to the dispute between the NHL club owners and the Players’ Association – the Canadian finally began looking for other options to get playing practice.      

“Playing with such as Crosby as a partner is a pleasure,” Jeno explained. “He's the best hockey player in the world. Of course, I miss him and Pittsburgh. I can call this city my second home. But it turned out that I’m playing here now. It’s a joy for Russian players to compete in their own land at their favorite arenas, making the fans happy.”

As for the latest lockout news, Malkin says the Players’ Union may be soon disbanded.

“We’ll vote for or against this decision on the internet,” the 26-year-old said. “I don’t know how I’ll vote. I’ll talk with the guys. I still don’t understand everything. If we’ll vote for dissolving the Union, the court hearing may begin and it'll take a long time. There’s no simple answer.”

Malkin joined Metallurg this October, scoring 46 points (16 goals, 30 assists) in 30 games for the Magnitogorsk side in the KHL.

Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins (AFP Photo / Christian Petersen)