Evgeni Malkin 'angry' after Russia's disappointing performance in Sochi
Evgeni Malkin is back in Pittsburgh after playing for Russia in Sochi, and James Neal has one word to describe how his linemate feels after a disappointing Olympic result: "Angry."
“He hasn't said much,” goalie Marc-Andre Fleury added. “He's just mad, I think.”
While Malkin himself declined to comment, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports the Russian superstar chose to fly to his home in Moscow rather than stick around in Sochi for the remainder of the men's hockey tournament. He finished the tournament with one goal and two assists, after posting 12 points in his past 11 Olympic games, and was visibly frustrated upon his return to the Penguins locker room.
Rossi further outlines a few reasons why Malkin was angry about what took place at the Olympics.
- Malkin did not get regular power play time.
- Malkin believed coaches catered to players who were members of his country's Kontinental Hockey League.
- He felt Russia's system was geared toward protecting the defense, which consisted mostly of KHL players, instead of allowing the more skilled forwards to dictate the tempo of the game.
- Malkin sensed coaches were dismissive of players' feedback, in prticular his desire to play alongside Nikolai Kulemin.
- Both he and Alex Ovechkin were disappointed with the omission of Sergei Gonchar from the roster.
Malkin is back in Pittsburgh ready to help the Penguins make a run through the playoffs, and James Neal expects the Russian to quickly fall back into his old routines.
“He was in a tough spot,” Neal said Tuesday. “He wanted to do so well for the people of his country, be the best he could. He wasn't really given that chance. It's a different situation for Geno here in Pittsburgh. For one, he's comfortable.”