The other day, there was a report that the newly formed Kontinental Hockey League in Russia offered Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Evgeni Malkin $12.5 million tax-free per year for many years to come back home to Russia to play hockey.
Malkin's agent said that the report was true, but that Malkin never had any desire to return to his homeland.
Many people are worried that the new KHL is going to lure a number of NHLers over to Russia because they are able to pay the players more than the NHL could ever pay them.
"At this point, it's not a major concern," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said at the conclusion of the league's draft in Ottawa on Saturday. "We understand there's going to be a league. We'll see what impact it has. So far, it hasn't really had a major effect on us."
"That's not what he's interested in doing," Malkin's agent J.P. Barry said. "If this were all about money, he would go to Russia, because he could make more in Russia than he ever could in the NHL. Evgeni's decision is he wants to stay in Pittsburgh."
The KHL is going to replace the former Russian Super League. It is going to have 24 teams, and the inaugural season will begin this coming September. Chris Simon and John Grahame have already said that they want to play in the league in its first season.
"My goodness, it's a big decision for Malkin," Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky said. "Financially, it's incredible. You get a chance to go back to your home country. On the other side of it, you get to play with one of the best players in the National Hockey League in Crosby...In some ways, it's overwhelming, to be honest with you."
My personal opinion is that Malkin did not have to think twice before declining this offer. If I were in his position, I would not even think about going to Russia. It is a country in which Malkin would not get much freedom, and the difference between the $7 million-$8 million that he will be getting in his next contract and the $12.5 he'll make in Russia is not much, especially since staying here means he gets to continue playing in Pittsburgh with Crosby and Co.
Malkin will surely win a few Stanley Cups in his career, especially if he stays with the Penguins. He is a fantastic player, and is smart enough to stay in the NHL, the best hockey league in the world.
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