With the prospect of NHL participation at the 2018 Winter Olympic games in Pyeongyang all but blocked, fewer and fewer stars are clinging to the hope that they will be able to represent their country.
Connor McDavid shared his input in July, saying that the NHL's decision to hold its players back is “disappointing.” And while the reigning Hart Trophy winner won’t press the matter, Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin is still hoping for that chance.
Malkin told Soviet Sport last month that he wants to speak with Penguins owner Mario Lemieux about the Olympics, but is waiting for the ideal time. According to Malkin, that could be “at Christmas or after New Year’s Day.”
From age 17, Malkin has spent the majority of his career representing Russia at every possible level. And while he has claimed gold at the World Championships, he has yet to medal at any of the last three Olympics. Russia’s highest finish came in 2006, when it took fourth place — Malkin was 19 and in the midst of his rookie season.
“The hope remains,” Malkin said in a translated interview. “But it fades every day.”
He isn’t the first Russian superstar to share concern about being prohibited from representing his country. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has been adamant about playing in the Olympics since the NHL’s decision to bar its players from doing so. In early August, Ovechkin said he is still willing to miss a few games in the NHL season to partake in the Olympics. Malkin and Ovechkin have been side-by-side with Team Russia and Malkin wasted no time to make light of the situation.
Evgeni Malkin, talking about the possibility of Olympic participation: "I am not Ovechkin. Putin doesn't call me." #Caps #Pens
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) August 16, 2017
At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Team Russia had 16 players under NHL contract. Now, looking back at that roster, only eight remain in the league. Some fell to free agency, but for others, including Mikhail Grigorenko, they left for a chance to play in the KHL and ultimately the Olympics.
It was a significant factor in Ilya Kovalchuk deciding to delay his NHL comeback for another season to remain with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL. Former Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov became Russia’s top candidate for Pyeongyang when he was KHL bound in July.
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If Ovechkin decides to head overseas for the chance to play in the Olympics, the chance that the league would take action is extremely likely. Malkin wants to get a final decision from the Penguins so as to avoid any negative repercussion.
“It will be difficult to go if the league refuses,” Malkin told Soviet Sport. “Mario [Lemieux] may not be able to influence their decision.”