The Real Malkin Story

Many have been wondering what took Malkin so long to come to terms with the Penquins. After all he's been in the U.S. for a better part of a month now. Its not like he can hold out for more money with the rookie cap. Well the real story has yet to be printed anywhere in the main stream press. Those of you, our loyal readers, will be among the first to read the true story behind the scenes.

Thanks to several well placed sources within the Pens organization, and inside the Russian Hockey Federation, FAUXRUMORS has learned that Malkin and the Penquins have been in negotiations with Malkin's former team Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Although his former team has no legal recourse, it is believed they will be compensated at least a million U.S dollars for Malkin.Why? The answer is simple. Coercion. Or in more blunt terms, its hush or 'protection money'. For despite Malkin's presence within the U.S. he has quite a large family that would have been very vulnerable had Malkin simply left without giving up a 'pound of flesh' in the form of considerable monetary compensation.

For the past 2 weeks, he, his representatives and the Penquins have been behind the scenes trying to work out a deal where Evgeny would play in Pittsburgh , and his family would be allowed to continue to work and live in peace back home.

We're told that this past weekend a break through occurred when Malkin himself offered to pony up up to 500,000 of his own money. Its not certain where the other 500K will come from. It IS legal under the current system for the Penquin organization to pay the Russian team, but they are not obligated to do so.

Perhaps Malkin would have only played this season in the NHL if he was given the assurances that his new team would help defray the costs of his transfer.What IS known is that once his NHL contract is signed, the million will be sent to Russia to satisfy his old team, and his family can live in peace, and without fear.No word if this deal will form the basis for a future European transfer agreement, or if this is a unique case.As always keep it here for all the latest!