Malkin is NHL Rookie of Month for 2nd straight time
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has been named NHL Rookie of the Month for November, making him just the second player in the history of the award to win it in consecutive months.
Philadelphia goalie Ron Hextall did it in October and November in 1986, the fourth year the award was in place.
Malkin, 20, put up seven goals and six assists, the most by any first-year player, in 14 games last month. He beat out Los Angeles center Anze Kopitar, Colorado center Paul Stastny and Anaheim defenseman Shane O'Brien for the honor.
Malkin made history in his first game of the month, as the first of his two goals during a 4-3 overtime victory at Los Angeles gave him at least one goal in each of his first six games in the league. That had not been done by an NHL rookie in 89 years.
LeClair update
Also today, Penguins left winger John LeClair passed through waivers unclaimed.
The Penguins have not confirmed that LeClair was not grabbed by another club before the noon deadline or divulged their short-term plans for him.
He could be kept on the major-league roster -- regardless of whether he practices with the team, let alone plays in any more games -- or assigned to their farm team in Wilkes-Barre.
If LeClair would refuse an assignment to the Baby Penguins, he could be suspended, and the Penguins would not be responsible for the pro-rated remainder of his $1.5 million salary.
If, however, he is sent to Wilkes-Barre, LeClair would have to pass through re-entry waivers before rejoining the Penguins. Re-entry waivers would allow another club to claim him while picking up just half of his salary, with the Penguins being responsible for the rest.
First Published December 1, 2006 12:00 am
