The man behind Penguins' star Evgeni Malkin's success

The leading scorer of these Stanley Cup playoffs has a secret weapon.

And from the day he set foot on North American soil almost 12 years ago, Evgeni Malkin could take comfort in knowing that by his side was Gennady Ushakov ... from Russia with love.

Depending on the moment, Ushakov played a variety of roles to Malkin.

Friend. Foil. Driver. Counselor. Coach. Ushakov has done a little bit of everything for Malkin, whom he has known since long before Malkin was known well anywhere outside of Magnitogorsk, Russia.

It was “probably around Moscow” where Malkin remembered initially meeting Ushakov. A big part of Russia's under-18 national team, Malkin had not yet become one of the prized hockey prospect in his country's rich history.

His time was fast approaching, though.

Ushakov, a professional goalie in Russia for over two decades, believed Malkin's future was not limited to playing professionally at home. He promised the youngest of Vladimir Malkin's sons to watch over Evgeni in North America's NHL. At the time, Evgeni Malkin did not comprehend exactly what Ushakov was offering.

“Gennady showed me some of the clients: (Wayne) Gretzky, (Mario) Lemieux,” Malkin said, referring to NHL greats who had signed with the company that employed Ushakov -- CAA Sports. “Of course, those are the best hockey players, so I signed the contract and it was, like, work.

“Now, it's not work. When I came to Pittsburgh, Gennady became my friend.”

To know Malkin even a little is to recognize that friendship is second only to family, and Club Friend is harder to get into. Access is granted sparingly, and Ushakov has been the doorman.

Just ask Alex Ovechkin.

Just know that even arguably Russia's greatest goal scorer could not come between Malkin and Ushakov. Inarguably one of Russia's most respected defensemen does not believe that anybody ever could.

“Gennady helped us both become professionals over here,” said Sergei Gonchar, now a coach and once a player for the Penguins.

“That is very important for a Russian player.”

By nurturing Malkin in North America, Ushakov has consistently delivered as a supporting character in the blockbuster that has become The Malkin Files. Without Ushakov, the script could have been left tangled in development.

Forget agent; Ushakov served as Malkin's executive producer. Just another role, anyway.

“Back then, Russian kids were so used to the (national) team handling everything for them ­-- meals, training, you name it,” Gonchar said. “When they got over here, they didn't know how to prepare themselves because the freedom of being on your own was not what you were used to.”

Early in Malkin's tenure with the Penguins, the sight of a denim-clad Ushakov in the hallways at Civic Arena was one with which Penguins management had to grow comfortable. Eventually, former general manager Ray Shero realized Ushakov as an asset as opposed to a distraction.

Though Gonchar and his wife, Ksenia, housed Malkin those first couple of years in Pittsburgh, Ushakov was the fellow Russian most often by Malkin's side away from the rink. Together, Ushakov and Malkin spoke only in Russian, discussed topics related to Russia, ate cuisine comparable to Russian cooking and looked upon hockey from a uniquely Russian perspective.

“He would say things to help me understand,” Malkin said. “For hockey, he would make me think like a goalie. Every NHL player, he knew something about. He could be like another coach to me.”

Sensing the reflective moment might be interpreted too warmly by Ushakov, Malkin grinned before adding, “It is because Gennady is so old.”

The invaluable benefit of Ushakov to Malkin was their similarity, especially regarding Russian traits. They share a fiercely biting humor, a frequently impairing determination, and a complicated mindfulness of “home.”

Malkin said that looking back, he needed the daily dosage of “our country” that Ushakov could provide. Otherwise, his acknowledged slow adjustment to North America -- specifically, Pittsburgh -- might have never occurred.

“Some Russian players I know are not lucky,” Malkin said. “It is my good luck to have (Gennady) ... even when he's not stopping talking.”

A laugh familiar to the Club Friend crowd accompanied those words from Malkin, who was aware Ushakov had parked himself on a steel chair outside of the Penguins' dressing room at PPG Paints Arena.

It is a spot Ushakov would like to make permanent.

Permanence has not been easily for-the-taking amid increasing political tensions between the United States and Russia. As controversies arrive and ideologies continue to clash, restrictions to a country considered a second homeland have worried Russians who have made America part of life.

Ushakov is one of those Russians.

He would take a financial hit if the United States government chose not to let him continue working here. The bigger blow would be being denied moments with Gonchar's growing and Malkin's expanding families.

“Like sons,” Ushakov said. He joked that “Sergei is good; Evgeni (doesn't) listen... like (a) bad son.”

That line from Ushakov was as great as one of Malkin's patented point-shots on a Penguins' power play. But to be denied watching that “bad son” raise his first son, for Ushakov, well...

“I (would) miss too much,” he said.

Malkin refused to even consider the possibility.

“No,” Malkin said. “He should be here. He is, like, the best friend to my family.”

Malkin probably will turn to Ushakov during the best-of-seven Final against the Predators. When the Cup is at stake, even a short slump could haunt a player's forever.

Malkin offered that candid conversations with Ushakov about his game often have triggered breakouts in previous postseasons, including during the Cup Final a year ago against the San Jose Sharks. He undoubtedly has already gauged Ushakov for tips on how to generate more scoring chances against a Predators' defense pairing that features defenseman P.K. Subban.

“He is a good friend and says what you do wrong and what you should do right,” Malkin said. “When I'm not playing good, Gennady can fix me.”

The leading scorer of these Stanley Cup playoffs opened the Final with a goal in a victory for his team.

If it is possible for Evgeni Malkin to be better for the Penguins, it is only Gennady Ushakov who can figure out how.

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