NHL star Malkin to play for Magnitogorsk

Evgeni Malkin, who was named the National Hockey League (NHL) Most Valuable Player last season, will play for the Continental Hockey League (KHL) side Metalurg Magnitogorsk, the club announced Sunday. The 26-year-old, who helped Russia win the world championship this year, will play in Magnitogorsk together with the 38-year-old veteran defender Sergei Gonchar. "The contracts with Malkin and Gonchar were signed until the end of the 2012-13 season and fit all the demands for the contracts of the NHL players in case of a lockout," Magnitogorsk official site announced. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins still possess the rights on Malkin in North America, while Gonchar has contract obligations with another NHL side, Ottawa Senators. Malkin was chosen by Pittsburgh in the 2004 draft under number two. He joined the club in 2006 winning the title of the league's best rookie in his first season. Media reports also said that Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk has reached an agreement with KHL club Kazan, while New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk could play with Saint Petersburg this season.