Up Close with PSR
Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin has been the subject of intense media attention since the August day he left his Magnitogorsk team in a Helsinki airport and subsequently came to Pittsburgh to pursue his National Hockey League dream with the Penguins. That brought legal challenges for the Penguins and the NHL, more bad blood between the NHL and the Russian Super League, and nervous times for Malkin and his parents.

Maybe it's been a good thing, then, for the 20-year-old center that he doesn't speak much English. That means fewer interviews and more time to focus on hockey, where he has done his speaking on the ice in impressive fashion.

After recovering from a dislocated left shoulder suffered in the preseason, Malkin became the first player in modern NHL history to score a goal in each of his first six games in the league. He was named rookie of the month for October and by late November had taken over the scoring lead among NHL rookies.

Malkin also proved he could elevate his game in critical situations. He scored the overtime winner at Los Angeles on Nov. 1; added the game-winner with minutes to play at home against Philadelphia on Nov. 20; and sparked his team during Sidney Crosby's recent absence due to a groin injury.

After a recent practice, PSR's Bob Grove was there as Malkin spoke to a small group of reporters about his adjustments to life in the West and the NHL game. Penguins' account executive George Birman, who speaks Russian, served as the translator for the intensely serious Malkin, who even cracked a smile once or twice.

PSR: How have you adapted to North American culture?

Malkin: I don't really have any problems. I'm getting used to it now, the American culture and lifestyle. I'm very comfortable with everybody in the locker room. I feel good.

PSR: Anything throw you off?

EM: I wasn't surprised by anything very much. Everybody has accepted me, to the highest level, and I thank everybody and all the guys in the locker room, all the players.

PSR: What do you think about American drivers?

EM: I'm getting used to driving in America, because everybody kind of drives slow. I'm used to driving pretty fast.

PSR: Like skating behind a defenseman, huh?

EM: Yes, something like that. But it's probably because I'm a young guy and I love to drive fast. I think it's the right way, slower, without speeding.

PSR: How about the food?

EM: I like pretty much everything. I live with Sergei Gonchar, and his wife, she is cooking the Russian food so basically I like everything. I thank her very much, because she is an unbelievable cook.

PSR: What's it been like playing with Sidney Crosby?

EM: He is a great player, and I've seen him playing when I was back in Russia. Now, when I came here, I just feel he's a great player, he sees the ice very well. It's lots of fun to play on the same line with him. I can learn a lot from him.

PSR: How do you communicate on the ice?

EM: The guys around me are helping me a lot with the language. I'm starting to learn a little bit of English. The simple questions, I can answer some of those. I have big help from the guys around me.

PSR: You know how to ask Crosby for the puck?

EM: I'm just screaming in Russian. He understands what I want.

PSR: What about the difficulties of playing in your own zone as a left winger?

EM: I'm getting better because I've played in so many games already. The coaches have been a big help, they throw something on the board and I'm watching lots of tapes. I'm getting used to it and I think I'm getting better.

PSR: What's the biggest difference between the NHL and the Super League?

EM: In the Russian league they have bigger ice; over here it is much more speed and you have to make a decision much faster.

PSR: How do you feel being compared to a Hall of Famer like Mario Lemieux?

EM: It's a big honor for me when somebody compares me to Mario Lemieux. Of course I'm going to try to be the best player like he was.