I just saw Malkin practice

[The U]

Get that kid in the weight room and he'll be a MONSTER.

[jdev28]

For anyone who saw Shallow Hal, that pic reminds me of Pretty Boy Ralph after Jack Black sees everyone normal again.

I can't find a picture of him online.

[Jake]

It looks like Malkin left a lot of his gear over in Europe. He normally wears Nike pants with the huge roll-bar spine protector, and he's now using an Easton stick with what appears to be a retail curve (as apposed to his usual CCM Vectors with banana curve).

[ziggo]

I think he skates more upright than Jagr.

[6lemieux6]

you could say he is going to be GREAT huh......???

[bh]

Wow, he does have skinny legs. Nothing a good trainer can't fix in a year or two. Watching him skate he reminds me more of Lemieux than Jagr. He's real quick but he kind of lumbers up the ice like Lemieux used to do.

[André]

Wow, he does have skinny legs. Nothing a good trainer can't fix in a year or two. Watching him skate he reminds me more of Lemieux than Jagr. He's real quick but he kind of lumbers up the ice like Lemieux used to do.

Zeb Machahan on skates

[opie22002]

"About 3 shifts in, it was obvious that no one was in great shape, but Malkin skated as hard as anyone."

In a way, I'm surprised these guys are so out of shape. It's not far from the beginning of the NHL season.

[canaan]

AW NO!!!!....not dude capris...ugh

[socalticketholder]

For those that would like to know... My sister who lives in Pittsburgh is in Santa Monica shooting a commercial, she works at one of Pittsburgh largest ad agencies, and ran into Evegeni today at her hotel "beachfront in Santa Monica"...

she spent the weekend here in San Diego and even though she had no idea who he was, or cared in the least, i gave her a picture of him to see if she could spot him by chance... well she ran into him this afternoon... got his autograph for me... and asked his "handler" what number jersey he was hoping to wear for the Penguins... and it wasn't 77...

he "hopes to wear #17".

for those looking to buy a jersey before everyone else...its a risk but... Ive ordered mine.

[netwolf]

Nice info! With Matt Murley being let go, the number is currently vacant. I'm pretty sure that if he wants 17 he'll get it.

I've got a blank jersey on it's way thanks to the recent 40% off sale at Reebok's online store and will take it to a local shop for lettering sometime in September.

[socalticketholder]

just thought some peeps would wanna know... but with my luck though he'll end up getting something totally different so... im not guaranteeing anything!

[netwolf]

just thought some peeps would wanna know... but with my luck though he'll end up getting something totally different so... im not guaranteeing anything!

Too late bro! I'm already holding you personally accountable.

[gregor]

AW NO!!!!....not dude capris...ugh

he's gonna start a new fad in the 'burgh

it'll be stronger than the Jagr mullet

[Henry Hank]

17 was what I expected, so it's not surprising at all that he'd want to wear it. Thanks for the info.

[KCHockey]

AW NO!!!!....not dude capris...ugh

Remember, he's essentially a Euro. They all dress funny.

Can't wait to see this kid play. It'll be worth the $150 for NHL Center Ice.

[pensfannn]

Saw Malkin practice again today!

Players in attendance: Jeremy “Stylesâ€￾ Roenick, Rob Blake, Anson Carter, Sean Avery, Chris Simon, Glen Murray, Noah Clarke, Mathieu Schneider, George Parros, Sean O’Donnell, Andrei Zyuzkin, Alex Frolov (I think), Brian Salcido and about 6 others that were prospects or that I couldn’t identify.

They started out with length of the ice breakout drills that would then develop into a 2 on 1. Following that, a D and forward would join the play for a 3 on 2 the other way. The first two when Malkin was up featured him with Roenick! The best play with those two involved Roenick crossing from left to right and leaving the puck at a stand still in the high slot for Evgeni as he crossed behind JRo. Malkin took a high slapper - just wide to the right, but a BLAST.

One of the 2 on 1 portions consisted of Malkin with Anson Carter - who looks to be in fantastic shape. Carter lifted a pass over the D’s stick and Malkin one-timed into the opposite low corner from the right side of the crease. Another play with Anson was a 3 on 2 give-and-go that resulted in a great save by the goalie. Carter and Malkin would be deadly together! (Can we put Army on the 3rd line??)

Another very slick move was a breakout pass from Rob Blake to Malkin over two lines. The pass was behind Evgeni, but he effortlessly kicked the puck to his stick. Very Crosby-like! Malkin’s stick-handling, skating and passing are at NHL All-Star levels. At times he looks like LeCavalier. Other times like a young Mario Lemieux.

A scrimmage took place afterwards. Most of the big name stars were on the opposite team - Roenick, Carter, Murray, Blake. They had another player that looked like Drury, but wasn’t. Definitely an NHLer though. Malkin’s teammates were O’Donnell, Schneider, Avery, Parros, Simon, Clarke, and an Anaheim prospect named Salcido.

Malkin was a standout in the scrimmage. He was paired with Avery and Salcido most of the time. The first goal that Malkin scored was a 2 on 1 where he skated all the way in on the right side with Salcido, brought it to the doorstep while looking pass... faked a pass to open the goalie’s legs... and went 5 hole. Another time he set Avery up for a goal with a nice pass. The opposing goalie was a young prospect, not even a draftee I believe. It wasn’t like Malkin beat Brodeur, but the set-ups and goals were great.

Malkin’s second goal occurred when he passed to Salcido who skated behind the net. Evgeni parked right in front and slammed home a pass back from Salcido (he just signed with Anaheim - their 5th round pick last year). Another assist was a pass to Noah Clarke who set up Avery.

For the other team, their best goals were scored by Murray on a one-timer, who took a rocket pass from Anson Carter... Roenick, who came all the way in on a breakaway, came to a full stop in front of the cage, and flipped it over the goalie’s left shoulder... and one scored by a prospect, I believe, wearing a white jersey with red socks who went upper corner on a breakaway. Another goal of theirs was a 2 on 1 Rob Blake to Anson Carter where Blake took it all the way in and dished it at the last second. Blake looks ready to go, by the way. And Glen Murray still has it!

The final of the scrimmage was about 9 to 9, maybe 10-9 for Malkin’s team. I counted 2 goals and 3 assists for Malkin.

He has an excellent knack for getting to open ice, and he has no problem attacking the net at any time. The goal he scored where he parked in front of the net, he would assuredly have taken stick and body abuse in a real game, but he invaded the slot, came to a quick stop and had his stick down and ready. And he buried it.

Malkin is no doubt the REAL DEAL. He stands out, even with NHL All-Stars. The no-contact scrimmages say nothing about his ability to take hits, or be clutched and grabbed, or be targeted by a big-league agitator... but he is reminiscent of a young Mario Lemieux by the way he moves in the offensive zone. He has an excellent work ethic too. Again, he was one of the last 2 or 3 players on the ice.

The only downsides: he needs to put on 15 pounds asap - and I hope he has thick skin because he will certainly take a lot of physical abuse this year. And again, he wore Capri jeans when he left the building.

[penny lane]

Thank-you for detailed report. Are the vets trying to talk with
Evgeni? Tapping of sticks on ice for the communication?

Capris have done well for Rafael Nadal.
Could start a trend for the men in Pittsburgh.
nothing wrong with legs showing.

[kirk]

Saw Malkin practice again today!

Players in attendance: Jeremy “Stylesâ€￾ Roenick, Rob Blake, Anson Carter, Sean Avery, Chris Simon, Glen Murray, Noah Clarke, Mathieu Schneider, George Parros, Sean O’Donnell, Andrei Zyuzkin, Alex Frolov (I think), Brian Salcido and about 6 others that were prospects or that I couldn’t identify.

They started out with length of the ice breakout drills that would then develop into a 2 on 1. Following that, a D and forward would join the play for a 3 on 2 the other way. The first two when Malkin was up featured him with Roenick! The best play with those two involved Roenick crossing from left to right and leaving the puck at a stand still in the high slot for Evgeni as he crossed behind JRo. Malkin took a high slapper - just wide to the right, but a BLAST.

One of the 2 on 1 portions consisted of Malkin with Anson Carter - who looks to be in fantastic shape. Carter lifted a pass over the D’s stick and Malkin one-timed into the opposite low corner from the right side of the crease. Another play with Anson was a 3 on 2 give-and-go that resulted in a great save by the goalie. Carter and Malkin would be deadly together! (Can we put Army on the 3rd line??)

Another very slick move was a breakout pass from Rob Blake to Malkin over two lines. The pass was behind Evgeni, but he effortlessly kicked the puck to his stick. Very Crosby-like! Malkin’s stick-handling, skating and passing are at NHL All-Star levels. At times he looks like LeCavalier. Other times like a young Mario Lemieux.

A scrimmage took place afterwards. Most of the big name stars were on the opposite team - Roenick, Carter, Murray, Blake. They had another player that looked like Drury, but wasn’t. Definitely an NHLer though. Malkin’s teammates were O’Donnell, Schneider, Avery, Parros, Simon, Clarke, and an Anaheim prospect named Salcido.

Malkin was a standout in the scrimmage. He was paired with Avery and Salcido most of the time. The first goal that Malkin scored was a 2 on 1 where he skated all the way in on the right side with Salcido, brought it to the doorstep while looking pass... faked a pass to open the goalie’s legs... and went 5 hole. Another time he set Avery up for a goal with a nice pass. The opposing goalie was a young prospect, not even a draftee I believe. It wasn’t like Malkin beat Brodeur, but the set-ups and goals were great.

Malkin’s second goal occurred when he passed to Salcido who skated behind the net. Evgeni parked right in front and slammed home a pass back from Salcido (he just signed with Anaheim - their 5th round pick last year). Another assist was a pass to Noah Clarke who set up Avery.

For the other team, their best goals were scored by Murray on a one-timer, who took a rocket pass from Anson Carter... Roenick, who came all the way in on a breakaway, came to a full stop in front of the cage, and flipped it over the goalie’s left shoulder... and one scored by a prospect, I believe, wearing a white jersey with red socks who went upper corner on a breakaway. Another goal of theirs was a 2 on 1 Rob Blake to Anson Carter where Blake took it all the way in and dished it at the last second. Blake looks ready to go, by the way. And Glen Murray still has it!

The final of the scrimmage was about 9 to 9, maybe 10-9 for Malkin’s team. I counted 2 goals and 3 assists for Malkin.

He has an excellent knack for getting to open ice, and he has no problem attacking the net at any time. The goal he scored where he parked in front of the net, he would assuredly have taken stick and body abuse in a real game, but he invaded the slot, came to a quick stop and had his stick down and ready. And he buried it.

Malkin is no doubt the REAL DEAL. He stands out, even with NHL All-Stars. The no-contact scrimmages say nothing about his ability to take hits, or be clutched and grabbed, or be targeted by a big-league agitator... but he is reminiscent of a young Mario Lemieux by the way he moves in the offensive zone. He has an excellent work ethic too. Again, he was one of the last 2 or 3 players on the ice.

The only downsides: he needs to put on 15 pounds asap - and I hope he has thick skin because he will certainly take a lot of physical abuse this year. And again, he wore Capri jeans when he left the building.

pensfannn, when is the next Malkin practice? Where in El Segundo is the facility (I live in the Valley)?

[pensfannn]

11:15 tomorrow AM - no guarantee he'll be there.
405 south to 105 west. Nash exit. Thru 2 lights.
Toyota Center on right.

[netwolf]

Another great report pensfannn! Much appreciated!

And full speed ahead on the Carter-to-Pittsburgh rumors!

[NIN]

Thank-you for detailed report. Are the vets trying to talk with
Evgeni? Tapping of sticks on ice for the communication?

Capris have done well for Rafael Nadal.
Could start a trend for the men in Pittsburgh.
nothing wrong with legs showing.

That's a great question, I would like to know the awnser to that too.

If capri pants is what makes him play hockey that good then I will change my wardrobe ASAP.

[saleen66]

Another great report pensfannn! Much appreciated!

And full speed ahead on the Carter-to-Pittsburgh rumors!

I hope Shero has somebody scouting these scrimmages to see Malkin and Carter work together. If they start a good bond now, Shero must at least try and trade for him or sign him.

[Pitts]

Another great report pensfannn! Much appreciated!

And full speed ahead on the Carter-to-Pittsburgh rumors!

I hope Shero has somebody scouting these scrimmages to see Malkin and Carter work together. If they start a good bond now, Shero must at least try and trade for him or sign him.

Why? I'm sure Malkin will create a good bond with just about anyone he plays with.

[saleen66]

Another great report pensfannn! Much appreciated!

And full speed ahead on the Carter-to-Pittsburgh rumors!

I hope Shero has somebody scouting these scrimmages to see Malkin and Carter work together. If they start a good bond now, Shero must at least try and trade for him or sign him.

Why? I'm sure Malkin will create a good bond with just about anyone he plays with.

This is true. This preseason is heating up. Cant wait to see the final roster and lines after all is said and done with this Malkin stuff.