Giving Malkin the respect he deserves

Malkin's mean streak has shown up out of nowhere this season.  I remember last season during his rookie campaign he tripped a player and got called for 2 minutes.  But before he went to the box, he actually helped the other player up off the ice.  I can't remember who the other player was, but I remember the absolute look of shock on his face.  And I remember Bob Errey saying, "Well, that's not something I would have ever done."  Haha

I guess when you get hacked and whacked over the course of 82 games you start to develop a temper.

craigflorida

It sounds as if you are describing Crosby.

I'm just saying that there were grumblings out of Pittsburgh last season that Malkin was playing too soft and not using his physical frame.  He absolutely disappeared at the end of last season and especially in the playoffs.  Personally, I just thought it was that he finally faded away due to fatigue from having to basically escape from Russia like during the Cold War days.  But a lot of people criticized him for running away from physical play.

I just think he heard the criticism and has kind of gone out of his way to be more physical this season, and being a young player, has gone overboard at times.  But although I agreed before that slewfooting Mara was a dirty play, anybody who gets punches in on Hatcher is just fighting fire with fire ... but that's my opinion.  And maybe Hatcher didn't punch him that time, but I've seen Hatcher play enough to know that he's not above it either.  And that's not a knock on Hatcher, just an observation.

He just needs to learn how to keep his emotions in check better.  It is interesting to note that without argument Malkin's worst two games in this post-season are game 4 against the Rangers and game 2 against the Flyers.  So keeping his emotions in check will make him a better player too.

And I'm not saying the Flyers are playing him dirty in this series ... my point was that he was played dirty at times during the regular season.  (Not by the Flyers, just in general.)  So he's developed a mean streak.  One thing I noted on the Pens message board during the regular season ... before Crosby got hurt, I don't think Malkin was ever hit with a high stick.  If so, it was very rare.  In the four games immediately following Crosby's injury, Malkin was hit with five high sticks, and I found it hard to believe they were all accidents.  Essentially, all the crap that teams focused on delivering to Crosby they started throwing at Malkin when Crosby was out.  I understand why teams would do that, but I also understand why it would harden him ... he's obviously not as nice on the ice as he was last season.  I think that is a good thing for the most part, but I agree that he's got to learn how to keep his temper in check.  I hope he does ... it will make him a better player in the long run.

I'm sure Malkin will very disappointed when he learns that you have lost all respect for him. I only hope it won't affect his performance on Sunday. But don't worry NateDogg you won't have to watch that "disgusting piece of sh*t excuse for a hockey player" after Sunday since your season will be over. I guess you have to change those vengeance now signs to vengeance next year !