Doesn't seem like he was supposed to have the immediate impact of AO and Crosby anyway, but certainly would have been a nice addition this year for them.

I like this quote from the below referenced TSN article, as if the following should be the primary factor in deciding when to play in the NHL: "Actually, I was ready to compete with Alexander (Ovehckin) and Sidney (Crosby) for the Calder Trophy. But my agents told me that it'd be easier to win the trophy in a year."

Damn straight. But let's hope next year he has to battle Eric Fehr for the hardware

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=134632

#1. Part of the "justification" for the Gonchar contract was his "ability" to "mentor" Malkin. They played together last year in the Russian Super League. This really, really, makes that Gonchar contract a bad one now.

#2. Malkin is prolly right that he wouldn't stand much of a chance vs A.O. AND Crosby for the Calder. However, who here thinks that A.O. is going to have to completely outclass Crosby in order for A.O. to win the Calder? Especially if the Penguins get a whiff of the playoffs (which they just might), there's no way that the "next one" "playing" alongside Mary-Oh! is going to be denied any hardware.

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Everybody Wang Chung......

Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™

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#2. Malkin is prolly right that he wouldn't stand much of a chance vs A.O. AND Crosby for the Calder. However, who here thinks that A.O. is going to have to completely outclass Crosby in order for A.O. to win the Calder? Especially if the Penguins get a whiff of the playoffs (which they just might), there's no way that the "next one" "playing" alongside Mary-Oh! is going to be denied any hardware.

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I completely agree. From where I sit, AO's got three strikes against him for the trophy. 1. is, of course, he plays for us. 2. more importantly, his drafting preceded the lockout, it was all gloom and doom at the time, no letterman appearances for him, etc etc, so little pub and the casual fan (if there is such a thing right now in hockey) has forgotten about him, and 3. he's russian, and crosby's a canadian from a province typically desperate for something to cheer about.

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he is gonna be in Mario's shadow the entire time. Nevermind names like Recchi, Leclair and Gonchar.

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Everybody Wang Chung......

Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™

It's refreshing to hear people talk like people, rather than just speaking in PC sound bites and cliches. If this is the case, Russia Is Keeping It Real.

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Everybody Wang Chung......

Please load brain before shooting off mouth.™