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By Karen Price

Penguins top prospect Evgeni Malkin told a Russian newspaper that he definitely wants to play in the NHL in 2006-07, but, according a Reuters report on Monday, his Russian team might demand millions in compensation from the Penguins to let him go.

In the report, Metallurg Magnitogorsk general director Gennady Velichkin did not specify how much they would want for Malkin, who has a year left on his contract. But Velichkin compared Malkin's situation to soccer star Andriy Shevchenko.

Shevchenko's old team, Dynamo Kiev, received $25 million when he went to AC Milan.

"Dynamo received millions from Milan for Shevchenko; why can't we get that?" Velichkin said. "But I can't name the exact price for Malkin. We must wait for Pittsburgh's offer first."

The Russian Federation is not a part of the current transfer agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation that calls for a $900,000 payment from NHL teams to European clubs to get players over to North America.

Magnitogorsk general director Gennady Velichkin threatened to go to court if the Penguins do not buy out Malkin's contract.

"We're not asking for ($900,000) compensation from Penguins. Such a sum is a handout, and we're not interested in handouts," Velichkin told Russian media. "Put simply, they must buy his contract from us."

However, Vladislav Tretiak was named president of the Russian Federation on April 25, and Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who is also Russian, said shortly after the season ended that he believes Tretiak is committed to signing a deal with the IIHF.

Malkin, 19 and the second overall draft pick in 2004, told the Russian paper Sport-Express that he wants to play in the NHL next year.

"I've already made up my mind for next season; I'll be leaving for the NHL," Malkin said in the report. "I'm 100 percent sure of that."