Truth & Rumors > NHL
Gonchar likes Malkin's maturity
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09:07 AM ET 11.26 | Ottawa defenseman Sergei Gonchar and Penguins center Evgeni Malkin have been close for years. Malkin was Gonchar's tenant for part of the time that Gonchar played with the Penguins. The two also use the same summer training facility in Moscow. This year, Gonchar knew Malkin was rehabilitating from knee surgery during the offseason, but he also noticed that his former teammate was working out with more purpose. Despite being slowed early by soreness in the knee, Malkin has had a strong first quarter this season. He had 18 points in 15 games before facing the Senators Friday night at Consol Energy Center. "To me, it seems like he is making that next step," Gonchar said. "He's maturing. He is more serious about his job. He was really pushing [in the summer]. "Another thing is, he didn't have as successful a season as everybody expected him to have [before the injury in 2010-11], and he obviously was hoping he would play better. "It seems like that maturity and that next step is coming in, and, because of it, he is doing better -- not only on the ice but also preparing off the ice."
Evgeni Malkin, Icon SMI
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Comments (25) Add A Comment
Baba Booey!
Slouch
Total Comments (421)
Let's Go Pens!!
hbomb
Total Comments (25752)
I had seen stories to this effect since the preseason. He looks stronger and he is really hustling out there. I think he realized he was at a cross road and he could work and take the next step up or just phone in and start whining like others have done. Nice to see he decided to up his work ethic. Of course this probably means the Pens won't be able to resign him, but it will be nice watching him while the time lasts.
Burgh-Fan
Total Comments (5028)
Maybe DWI doesn't have to worry anymore about his sprained vageno.
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18297)
A properly (self) motivated Malkin is the best player on the Penguins and will be key to their Stanley Cup hopes.
Rex Racer
Total Comments (22438)
Good for Malkin and Kessel hitting maturity...How much longer until Ovechkin hits puberty?
Baun-ded=PH in…
Total Comments (3685)
When''s his deal up...I thought they had signed him to a long term deal before?
Baun-ded=PH in…
Total Comments (3685)
Just because I love this stat...
47 Dion Phaneuf TOR D 23 3 15 18 +2 8 1 9 10 8 6 12 .78
48 Kris Letang PIT D 21 2 16 18 +3 7 1 10 8 10 3 15 .86
49 Jordan Staal PIT C 21 11 6 17 +6 12 2 3 7 10 3 14 .81
50 Vincent Lecavalier TBL C 21 10 7 17 +4 12 0 5 11 6 6 11 .81
51 Marian Gaborik NYR R 19 10 7 17 +4 13 0 4 9 8 1 16 .89
52 Corey Perry ANA R 22 9 8 17 -9 7 0 10 9 8 6 11 .77
53 Max Pacioretty MTL L 23 9 8 17 +1 14 0 3 13 4 3 14 .74
54 Alex Ovechkin WSH L 21 8 9 17 -3 10 0 7 8 9 5 12 .81
55 Rick Nash
Baun-ded=PH in…
Total Comments (3685)
Ha Ha!
Daffy Duck
Total Comments (1188)
Has Kessel found out the meaning of Back-check yet?
AMB
Webster, MA
Total Comments (79)
He still has a couple more years on his deal, but at that point he'll probably be gone.
Burgh-Fan
Total Comments (5028)
HAAA!
They need to fix whatever it is in Washington quick! I get the defense first attitude, but wonder if it works for all teams, and all players?
I don't see why Ovie can't run around like a freight train while he's still got it, or before a big injury takes him out. I would think that with all these offensive weapons they would be able to steal games with Vokoun in goal......guess not!
I hope Malkin gets it going again at the pace he did just 3-4 years ago!
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4367)
Awesome!!!! LMAO!!!!!
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4367)
Another zinger! HA!!!!
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4367)
Argos will hate you for this. It makes Nash look worse that a bunch of other guys.
Stranger
Pearl City, HI
Total Comments (6803)
Of course not, it involves hitting.
Stranger
Pearl City, HI
Total Comments (6803)
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