Shero beefs up the farm system

PPG Reports that Shero has hired a new director of scouting and 4 new scouts. One of the complaints about the CP regime was that the scouting department was bad and this is certainly a step in the right direction.

It certainly feels like for the first time in years the Pens are moving in a forward direction.

What would you do to keep your promise?

The Malkin story is a little sad. He obviously was getting pulled from two directions and was a pretty conflicted young man.

Check these quotes from the article:

"Malkin's parents were quoted by the Russian newspaper Pravda as saying they hadn't talked to their son and did not know where he was.

''My son simply snapped, his nerves did not hold on,'' Vladimir Malkin said in the interview. ''In the last moment, they persuaded him to stay in Magnitka, though his mind was already in the NHL. I understand him, but I don't support him. It was a childish act. Before I give my final assessment, I need to talk to him personally.''

Natalia Malkin, Evgeni's mother, told the newspaper she and her husband tried to call their son but his phone was turned off. She also said, ''The management of Mettalurg played on his patriotic feelings. He was not able to refuse. Though, afterward, he told me, `Mom, they (the Penguins) have already been waiting for me and I promised.' He left for camp in Finland very disgruntled.':

Russian's are bitter as Malkin works on his work visa

The Post Gazette reports that Malkin is working on getting his visa and may already be in the U.S.

And oh yeah, his Russian team is not happy.

Hard to blame them really.

Rainforest Cafe ...Russian Style

More Malkin details are emerging. This little tidbit from the Post Gazette makes me wonder about Russian theme restaurants:

"In another curious twist, the Russian daily newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda reported last week that Malkin recently opened a new restaurant in Magnitogorsk designed to resemble a Russian jail, complete with bars on the windows, aluminum forks, waitresses in striped prison garb and portraits of Soviet dictators. Malkin was quoted as saying he wanted to open similar restaurants in other Russian cities."

Elaborate political statement or ahead of his time marketing savvy? You decide.

Where in the world is Evgeni Malkin?

TSN and and ESPN both report that Malkin took off from Magnitogorsk's training camp in Finland with his passport and all his stuff.

More drama for the Pens...

More on the Malkin Mess

ESPN is now reporting that Malkin's agent, whoever that is at the moment, is saying that Malkin still wants to play for the Pens, even though he allegedly signed a contract w/ the Magnitogosk Mettalurg today.

While I'm happy that the door is not closed this uncertainty is annoying.

Then again all we Pens fans know is uncertainty.

To Be or Not To Be

Malkin is the new Hamlet. I'm growing weary of wondering if this guy is gonna play for the Pens or not. They shouldn't be putting all their eggs in that basket at this point.

According to TSN, Magnitogorsk signed him to a 1 year deal.

Hmm, ha.

Pens re-sign MAF

TSN reports, 2 years and $2.59M.

Hopefully he'll be able to focus w/ a contract and not worrying about getting sent down all the time.