Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Malkin's new agent eager to negotiate
2005, Sidney Crosby, 1st pick
2004, Evgeni Malkin, 2nd pick
2003, Marc-Andre Fleury, 1st pick
2002, Ryan Whitney, 5th pick
2001, Colby Armstrong, 21st pick
Karen Price can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7980.
He believes it could happen as early as next week.
"I think once we have the OK from the league that we can do that, we'll be visiting that very soon," said Don Meehan of Newport Sports Management.
Meehan said he spoke to NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Thursday. He was told that the Russians were putting the finishing touches on the agreement that will regulate players leaving their Russian teams to join the NHL teams that drafted them, and that confirmation of the deal should come shortly.
"I'd expect that once the NHL has this confirmation, they'll set aside a period of time, maybe a two-week period or three-week period in order to get the Russian players signed," Meehan said. "And I would think that's probably going to happen in the next week or so."
The Penguins' general manger agreed with Meehan's assessment that it wouldn't take long to get a deal done with Malkin once the transfer agreement was ratified.
"I think (it will be a straightforward negotiation), I think so," Shero said. "I hate to even say that, just because I don't want to jinx this transfer agreement. Hopefully, in the next little bit, it will be ratified and signed off on. That would be a great day for us."
According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Malkin would get the standard three-year entry-level contract with a maximum salary of $984,200. He would also be eligible for a signing bonus no greater than 10 percent of his salary plus performance bonuses.
"I would say that he's an exceptional, world-class player, and Pittsburgh understands that," Meehan said. "And I would expect when we start to have discussions, I'm optimistic that our discussions would prove to be pretty positive."
Malkin, 19, was drafted second overall by the Penguins in 2004 and scored 21 goals and 26 assists in 46 games with Magnitogorsk of the Russian Superleague in 2005-06. He also represented Russia in the World Junior Championship, Olympics and World Championship this year.
Shero said Meehan called him Friday morning but that he hadn't yet spoken to him while in Vancouver.
Malkin was originally represented by IMG. Fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin, who beat out Sidney Crosby to win the Calder Trophy by a near-unanimous decision Thursday, is also represented by Meehan.
"We're delighted and thrilled," Meehan said regarding Malkin's decision to join Newport Sports Management.
