Famous hockey official Igor Kuperman, who works in the Canadian office of the NHL, said in an interview with that the absence of a forward in 2017 was a revelation for him.Pittsburgh » Evgenia Malkina on the list of best players in league history.
In 2017, a ranking of the hundred best players in NHL history was established. A special jury of 58 experts included seven current players from the era: Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Jaromir Jagr, Duncan Keith, Johnny Toews, Patrick Kane and Pavel Datsyuk.
– Let’s reveal a great secret hidden behind seven seals. How come Evgeni Malkin isn’t in the top 100 best players in NHL history? If I remember correctly, it was a big scandal.
— This happened in 2017. To say I was shocked not to see Malkin on the final roster would be an understatement. Let me start by saying that I received a letter from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The league wanted me to be one of 58 experts who would determine the top 100 players in the league’s 100-year history. Of course I accepted, they sent me papers with a lot of players, in front of each candidate I had to draw a circle. And someone could be entered manually. Of course, the first thing I noticed was Malkin and Ovechkin, there was no doubt about it.
But the voting conditions were such that no one knew who was among these 58 experts. And it was only when a hundred had already been named that their names were published. It turned out that only four people represented Europe: IIHF President René Fasel, Vaclav Nedomanski, a Swedish journalist and myself. Among North Americans, I saw several famous correspondents. But it seems Bob McKenzie wasn’t even there. In other words, knowing who voted for who was a secret. That’s it, and I don’t know what the criteria were. But the fact that Malkin is not in the top 100 is of course incomprehensible.
— Maybe his image worked against Gino? How he played against Nikita Kucherov, who scored 144 points in the championship, but the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award went to Nathan MacKinnon, twice recognizing him as the most valuable player in the league. Kuch organized a drive at the NHL All-Star Game, so he got a ride.
“I think there’s some truth here.” On the other hand, Pasha Datsyuk remained silent and did not give interviews even more than Malkin, but he was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. But you are right, journalists play an important role in North America. And the tone of the North American press has changed significantly over the last 20 to 25 years. No one criticizes anyone anymore. No one can trash a player, coach or general manager. All hockey journalists do their job very conscientiously.
What I mean is why shouldn’t a player say a few words to a reporter after the match? After all, the correspondent must submit an article, the material has its place in the newspaper, on the website. If a journalist does not receive direct speech, his article will lose value. In the end, he won’t earn his money and may even lose his job. That is, the conflict is already inherent in this story itself, when a hockey player sends a reporter or does not want to talk. I just want to say: “Guys, you will not be eaten and your words will not be distorted. Talk to the media,” Cooperman told .
Malkin, 38, ranks second in Penguins history in games played (1,145) behind Sidney Crosby (1,272) and third in points (1,296), goals (498) and assists (798). ) behind Mario Lemieux (1,723); and always to the same Crosby (1596; 592, 1004).
Cooperman handles international projects within the NHL in the league’s Toronto office.
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Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
