The debates are never-ending in just about every sport, especially with hockey.
And with any kind of qualifier.
Who’s the best player ever? Who’s the best defenseman? Goaltender?
Finnish goal-scoring winger? Left-handed Latvian faceoff specialist? Newfoundland and Labrador-born shot-blocker?
One of those discussions got a pretty definitive offering Friday.
Who’s the best Russian NHLer ever?
Evgeni Malkin, something of an authority on the subject, offered his postulate: Sergei Fedorov.
“He’s the best Russian player all time,” the Pittsburgh Penguins forward said after practice in Cranberry.” Growing up, I looked up to how he’s playing.”
During a 7-0 road win against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, Malkin scored two goals and surpassed Fedorov, enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, for second place among Russian-born goal scorers in NHL history with 484.
Fedorov was among the first elite players to leave the former Soviet Union and play in the NHL during the 1990s. Becoming a dominant overall player while primarily suiting up for the Detroit Red Wings, Fedorov helped that club win multiple Stanley Cup championships as a member of the of the “Russian Five,” a group that included forwards Slava Kozlov and Igor Larionov as well as defensemen Slava Fetisov and Vladimir Konstantinov.
A superstar in every sense of the term, Fedorov became the first European-trained player to win the Hart Memorial Trophy (as league MVP) and the Frank J. Selke Trophy (as top defensive forward), claiming both in 1994. He even dated Russian tennis professional/sex symbol Anna Kournikova.
“He’s a really good skater,” Malkin said. “He’s really smart. Looking good, white Nike (skates). Everybody loves. Maybe not the best shot probably, but he played (defensive) zone, he’d win faceoffs, he’s a complete player. It’s fun to watch. You know Detroit (in the 1990s and 2000s), best team, they dominate. ‘Russian Five,’ they dominate as well.
“Probably, he’s won every cup you can. … He’s amazing.”
Malkin, himself a claimant of the Hart in 2012, hasn’t exactly been amazing this season. At least not consistently.
After producing nine goals and 18 points in his first 17 games, Malkin’s offense dried up a bit beginning in mid-November. In his 16 most recent games, Malkin has been limited to 11 points (four goals, seven assists).
Those meager figures were buoyed a bit by his two-goal outburst against the Islanders.
“Last game was pretty good for me and for the whole group,” Malkin said. “But I’m not happy (looking back) back like last maybe 10 games. I’m not happy (with) how I played. But I want to say I’ll still find my game and try to help the team to win again. Feel really good after (the) last game. I hope I will help the team every game.”
The Penguins will need Malkin as well as his linemates — currently Reilly Smith at left wing and Drew O’Connor at right wing — to provide a more consistent contribution if they hope to reach the playoffs and sustain any kind of success beyond simply qualifying for the postseason.
Even at the twilight of his marvelous career, Malkin is confident he can do just that.
“I know I’m (a) good player,” Malkin said. “I know I help the team to win and still (at a) playing high level. I want to play maybe next two, three years, and I want to be not just (a) normal player. I want to help the team every game.”
