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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 3075719" data-attributes="member: 2012">Malkin makes Penguins debut in MonctonCanadian Press9/20/2006 12:20:56 PMMONCTON, N.B. (CP) - Here's betting the Calder Trophy stays in Russian hands this season.Phil Kessel (Boston), Gilbert Brule (Columbus), Dustin Penner (Anaheim) and Jiri Hudler (Detroit) may have something to say about that, but judging from what Evgeni Malkin has shown so far in training camp, the Pittsburgh Penguins centre may very well follow in Alexander Ovechkin's footsteps and win rookie of the year.He gets his first real test Wednesday night in his NHL pre-season debut against the Philadelphia Flyers. Malkin stayed behind in Moncton with other Penguins while the rest of the team took on Ottawa in Halifax on Tuesday night. Tonights game can be seen live on the NHL Network at 6:30pm et/3:30pm pt."He certainly has the size, the hockey sense, unbelievably quick hands," Penguins GM Ray Shero said while watching him practice Tuesday at the Moncton Coliseum. "He's getting comfortable. Day by day he's doing better. And the guys off the ice are doing a good job of making him feel comfortable."He's dazzled teammates in practice with tape-to-tape passes and even a bank goal from the behind the net a la Mario Lemieux. And at 6-3 and 192 pounds, he's hard to miss on the ice."He's a great skater and has great vision on the ice," said veteran winger Mark Recchi, Malkin's linemate to start the season. "You can see he has a real competitive edge to him. I'm looking forward to seeing that in game situations."It's been a whirlwind summer for Malkin after his much-publicized exit from Russia, a matter that remains in the hands of lawyers on both sides of the ocean because he signed a contract with Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk before also signing a three-year deal with the Penguins."I have no idea what's going on with that," Malkin said through a translator, when asked about the latest in the saga.He's got enough on his plate. A new team, a new country, a new league and a total culture shock."He's been great on the ice," said superstar centre Sidney Crosby. "He hasn't let anything that's happening off the ice bother him. He's out there playing well. Sometimes that's the best thing, the ice can be the most comfortable place. He's in his bubble so to speak. He's been doing a great job."Added Recchi: "That says a lot about his character, that can't be easy what he went through. But he's come over and handled everything terrificly. He's a wonderful player, he skates well, he doesn't look like he's letting anything affect him."The pictures of him when he first arrived in Pittsburgh earlier this month showed a frightened, nervous young man. But the last few days here in Atlantic Canada has featured a relaxed and smiling Malkin, kibbitzing and laughing with teammates even though he barely speaks a word of English at this point."I just go with signals and he seems to understand," said Penguins tough guy and resident clown Andre Roy. "I know some of the bad words in Russian and I say those, he likes that. I'm just trying to get him to feel comfortable. But he understands more than he speaks. I think so anyways, because he laughs all the time."Said head coach Michel Therrien, with a laugh: "He's adapting really well. Sometimes I wonder if he doesn't understand English."Malkin's top priority right now is finding chemistry with linemates Recchi and Ryan Malone."I'm really happy with this line," Malkin said through the translator. "Every single day I'm feeling more and more comfortable. I'm really excited."Off the ice, the Penguins have been prudent. Malkin has been living with star Russian defenceman Sergei Gonchar as well as the translator, Besa Tsintsadze - who also happens to double as Pittsburgh's power skating instructor."It's been really good because Sergei actually played with him a couple of years ago (during the lockout)," said Shero. "And then Besa coming in here, that's worked out great, too."Malkin is planning to move into his own apartment in Pittsburgh sometime in the next month or so after his parents and older brother also join him from Russia.On the ice, the sky's the limit. After leading Metallurg to the league title last season while posting 47 points (21-26) in 46 games, many feel he's more than ready for the challenge in the NHL."He's got so much talent," said Therrien.And it's at both ends. Malkin led the Russian league with a plus-28 rating last season."I don't think people realize how well he plays defensively as well," said Gonchar. "He's good in his own end. That's a huge part in his game, too."</blockquote>

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