PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 13, 2008
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 12: Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals poses with the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Art Ross Trophy and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy during the 2008 NHL Awards at the at the Elgin Theatre on June 12, 2008 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Claus Anderson/Getty Images)
TORONTO -- The cold war between Penguins star Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals was evident Thursday at the NHL Awards Show.
Prior to the event -- highlighted by Ovechkin trumping Malkin and Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla for the Hart Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award -- Russian hockey's young dynamic duo deliberately avoided eye contact as their paths crossed in the lower bowels at the Elgin Theatre.
Ovechkin walked directly in front of Malkin as he pursued a mutual Russian associate. Ovechkin did not look at Malkin, who dipped his head as Ovechkin passed.
"It's not such a great friendship," said Malkin through an interpreter. "It's basically, 'Hi, how are you?' That's about it.
"We were never really close friends. It's nothing to talk about."
Ovechkin, whose 112 regular-season points bested Malkin's 106, echoed his Russian rival's sentiment.
"(Malkin) and I are buddies -- like, we say hi and we can go out, and we play for the Russian national team together," Ovechkin said. "We're not friends."
Their NHL careers date to the 2004 entry draft. Ovechkin was selected first, Malkin second.
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 12: Gordie Howe poses with his lifetime achievement award during the 2008 NHL Awards at the at the Elgin Theatre on June 12, 2008 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Claus Anderson/Getty Images)
By all accounts, their rivalry dates to shortly before that draft, when Malkin started to receive hype that had previously gone to Ovechkin alone.
Ovechkin won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2006. Malkin claimed that honor in 2007.
Last night, Ovechkin won the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player as voted on by select members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, and the Lester B. Pearson Award, which goes to the most outstanding player as judged by a Players' Association vote.
Ovechkin was first in Hart voting with 1,313 points, including 128 first-place votes. Malkin finished second with 659 points, including one first-place tally.
Malkin was also named to the league's first All-Star team.
Malkin led the Penguins during the regular season in points and goals (47). He hoped to supplant teammate Sidney Crosby as winner of the Hart and the Pearson; Crosby claimed those honors last season.
Current majority co-owner Mario Lemieux and former star right wing Jaromir Jagr also won the Hart and the Pearson while with the Penguins.
Lemieux and Jagr rate as two of the game's all-time finest players. Ovechkin said he and Malkin want to be recognized in that regard.
Ovechkin added that any rivalry between he and Malkin is based on "respect for each other as players," and said their rise to prominence is "good for Russia hockey."
"We're good players," said Ovechkin, who led the NHL during the regular season in points and goals (65). "But we're different players. We play different styles. We just have fun all the time and want to be the best of all-time.
"You can compare me to Malkin... or somebody else."
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 12: Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils poses with the Vezina Trophy during the 2008 NHL Awards at the at the Elgin Theatre on June 12, 2008 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Other award winners last night included:
* Detroit goaltenders Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood (William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals scored against)
* Toronto left wing Jason Blake (Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey)
* Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier (King Clancy Memorial Trophy for on- and off-ice leadership and noteworthy humanitarian contribution to community)
* Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk (Frank Selke Trophy for defensive excellence by a forward and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the combination of sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and high standard of playing ability)
* Washington coach Bruce Boudreau (Jack Adams Award for top coach)
* Chicago right wing Patrick Kane (Calder Memorial Trophy for best rookie)
* Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom (James Norris Memorial Trophy for greatest all-around ability at the position)
* New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur (Vezina Trophy for best player at the position)
Rob Rossi can be reached at rrossi@tribweb.com or 412-380-5635
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