Jeremy Roenick: Malkin and Datsyuk are superior to Ovechkin

Former NHL player and ice-hockey expert at the NBC network Jeremy Roenick believes NHL stars Yevgeny Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk are better hockey players than Alexander Ovechkin.

«Malkin and Datsyuk are the best Russian hockey players in the world – by far. Geno is a miracle of nature. His power, talent and astute understanding of the game continue to amaze me. He does something incredible in Pittsburg’s every game.

«As for Pavel, he is probably the most versatile player in the NHL, even in the world. He can attack, defend, improvise – there is nothing beyond his abilities. And they are both so modest! They should be role-models for every world-class sportsman,» the hockey analyst told Sovetsky sport.

«Which one to pick? Oh… probably Malkin. He can get over 100 points in every game, a still has time to help out in defence. But the choice is really tough! As for Ovechkin, all I can say is he is one of the best Russians in the NHL, but Malkin and Datsyuk have gotten ahead of him,» he added.