There will be no NHL All-Star festivities this year, another casualty of the lockout. That means no Ovi wearing a hat with a Canadian flag, no Ovi swimming on the ice, and no players just trying not to get injured. Across the pond in the KHL, however, things are going on as planned. Actually, better than planned with the addition of some Russian NHL stars like Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk.

For Evgeny Kuznetsov, the game is also somewhat of a dream come true — it’s being held in his native Cheylabinsk. And on Saturday, the 20-year-old Washington Capitals prospect played a big role in the KHL Skills Competition.

Video is below the jump.

Kuznetsov gets a huge ovation and skates at 6:30.

Kuznetsov, a three-time KHL All-Star, won the fastest skater event after posting a 13.82 second lap around the ice. It was the fastest time ever recorded in the event and was a .05 improvement over his lap last year. Kuzya has now won two events all-time in the three skills competitions he’s participated in. In 2011, he also won the KHL’s Breakaway Challenge.

Before the night was over, Kuznetsov took the ice one more time. This time to show off his super powers.

After doing some dumbbell curls at the bench, Kuznetsov skates out to center ice to try a penalty shot. As he winds up and shoots, the puck explodes.

Oi. I take back every nice thing I have ever said about the KHL.

GIF by welshhockeyfan

Nice hat.

Coming into the season, Evgeny Kuznetsov was persona non grata to Caps fans. The talented 20-year-old winger shunned the NHL for a second time, deciding to stay with Traktor Cheylabinsk for another two years. But with time comes perspective. That decision has proven to be wise, as the NHL lockout has already wiped out half of this season with no signs of ending.

By staying in Russia, Kuznetsov gets to enjoy the KHL All-Star game being held in his hometown of Chelyabinsk. Last week, Kuznetsov was voted in as a starter for the second straight year by fans. And the KHL this weekend debuted a commercial promoting the game featuring Chelyabinsk’s favorite son.

With KHL TV host Maria Titova as a teacher, we observe a classroom full of students, made up of fake sons and fake daughters of current Russian all-stars. Kuznetsov’s child, apparently an F student, is called to the board and gets quizzed by the teacher. How does he do? When does Papa Kuznetsov show up?

Below, RMNB’s Fedor Fedin provides a translated transcript.

Teacher: “Going to the blackboard is…”
[Looks at the list of kids, some of whom have surnames like Kovalchuk, Datsyuk, Malkin, Ovechkin, Kuznetsov]

Teacher: “Kuznetsov! To the blackboard!”

Kid Kuznetsov: “Why Kuznetsov?”

Teacher: “Kuznetsov: grade two. (Russian for F)”

[As Kid Kuznetsov goes up to the blackboard, he clips the back of Kid Malkin's head. Chelyabinsk and Magnotogorsk are rivals.]

Teacher: “Malkin, you’re up next.”
“Show me where’s West.”

[The young Kuznetsov points with his hand.]

Teacher: “Take a pointer. Now show me where’s East.”

[Kid Kuznetsov points again.]

Teacher: “Show where the border is between West and East. ”

[Kid Kuznetsov points to Chelyabinsk]

Teacher: “Why here?”

Kid Kuznetsov: “Because here the best of the KHL will play in an All-Star Game.”

Teacher: “Take a seat, Kuznetsov. Five (Russian for A).”
[Teacher turns the page of the class register, sees All-Star Game tickets].

[Evgeny Kuznetsov looks into the classroom]

Evgeny Kuznetsov: “Maria Ivanovna, hello! Can I take my kid?”

[Written on the blackboard: Lesson topic: 2013 KHL All-Star Game, January 12-13, watch on KHL TV.]

Evgeny Kuznetsov is introduced to the crowd. (Photo credit: KHL All-Star Game site)

Our all-Evgeny Kuznetsov/all-the-time policy continues with this contractually obligated recap of the 2012 KHL All-Star Game and SuperSkills competition held in Riga, Latvia, on Saturday.

Kuznetsov nearly won in both the Fastest Skater and Breakaway Challenge. He also tallied a goal and an assist for Team Fedorov in their 15-11 win over Team Ozolins during the All-Star Game.

Below the jump, we’ve recapped our favorite moments from the the KHL’s signature event.

Team Ozolins’ Mikhail Anisin Sings “O Sole Mio!”

During the SuperSkills’ competition, the KHL passed the mic off to Dynamo Moscow’s Mikhail Anisin, who performed “O Sole Mio!” Yes. This actually happened. Fedor also tells me that Anisin studied music during school and once had an hour-long concert while with Sibir at their Fanfest. The 5’5” tenor also doesn’t mind fighting and stomping on other opponents (#88 in the video).

Fastest Skater Competition

Evgeny Kuznetsov lost by 0.01 seconds to Mikelis Redlihs of Team Ozolins. When Kuzya was asked about his near win, he replied,”I’ve never been a stand-out in speed, probably something’s wrong with the timer.” Oh, Zhenya.

Hardest Shot Competition

Kuznetsov’s teammate on Traktor Chelyabinsk, Alexander Ryazantsev, won the hardest shot competition with a “world record” of 183.67 km/h or 114.127 mph. Fedor tells us this is the first time anyone’s ever hit the 180 km/h mark. While that’s impressive and everything, it’s hard to take this feat very seriously when KHL players shoot approximately 7 feet closer to the net than the NHL does.

Breakaway Competition

Vladimir Tarasenko won the competition — beating out defending champion Kuznetsov and Mikelis Redlihs — with his devious puck-literally-on-a-string trick. Kuznetsov’s attempts begin at 2:50 above.

Captain’s Challenge

Sergei Fedorov and Sandis Ozolins — two class acts and legendary players — play hockey billiards, hockey bowling, hockey volleyball, hockey basketball, and hockey biathlon on the ice. A novel idea by the KHL. The former Capital, Federov, ended up winning. Coverage of the event starts at the 3:00 mark above.

Lokomotiv Memorial Ceremony

The fans chant “Lo-ko, Lo-ko” at 1:28. This gave me goosebumps.

Photos from the All-Star Game

Fedorov is all smiles after the game.

All photos via the KHL’s Facebook Fan Page.

On Saturday, the KHL will host their 3rd annual All-Star Game in Riga, Latvia. Former Washington Capital Sergei Fedorov will be captaining one team at the game — a team that includes Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has 16G and 15A as of the All-Star break, leading Traktor Chelyabinsk in scoring. Kuznetsov was nominated as a starter for the game by a landslide fan vote, finishing second overall in all voting.

Ahead of the KHL’s All-Star Game, Fedorov spoke to Sport Express’ Dmitry Kuznetsov about Kuznetsov. Below the jump, Igor Kleyner offers a translation of the interview, where former Cap Fedorov talks Kuznetsov’s scoring, overwhelming fan popularity, and offers some perspective on the choice that’s coming up for Kuznetsov — whether to continue to play in the KHL, or make the jump to the NHL.

The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer also participated in a highly silly photoshoot to promote the All-Star Game, along with the other team captain and former NHLer Sandis Ozolins, which we’ve preserved here in a post for historical purposes. Please enjoy.

Dmitry Kuznetsov: I must ask you about the young Traktor’s talent Evgeny Kuznetsov. He got the highest total number of fan votes for ASG Team Fedorov. How do you like his game?

Sergei Fedorov: I like it. He skates very well, he has awesome hands. WJC in Canada demonstrated that he really improved his game over the last year. Great job. I am very happy for him, he has been playing a terrific hockey over the last few months.

Dmitry Kuznetsov: Should he depart for Washington, where you finished your NHL career, in summer?

Sergei Fedorov: He has his professional people who are going to help him make the right choice. But he definitely should not rush. At such age one has to be on the ice as much as possible, and he has this opportunity at Traktor. He became the team leader in a very short time. They have a good team in Chelyabinsk. So, as they say, better is the enemy of good.

Dmitry Kuznetsov:But you left for the NHL when you were twenty years old…

Sergei Fedorov: I was not rushing, it was a different situation. It was a serious step for me. Not only I wanted to play hockey in front of twenty thousand crazy fans, but also to have a normal life outside hockey. When I played with CSKA, we spend a lot of time with the team – if not all of the time. Eleven months a year. So my move was a logical one, even though I was very young.

Dmitry Kuznetsov: Were you 100% ready for the NHL?

Sergei Fedorov: Four preseasons with CSKA turn you into a powerful machine. Physically I was ready for the NHL. The rest I picked up on the fly. But now the Russians in the NHL are no longer exotic. These days, when you arrive there, you must stand out among your competitors if you want to become a star. Only then a coach will start making any plans based on you. I was a center, in the NHL now the managers tend to build their teams around centers, because it’s a playmaking position. Zhenya Kuznetsov is a winger, so there are some nuances.

Dmitry Kuznetsov: Who does he remind you?

Sergei Fedorov: I have been asked this question before, but I don’t know who he compares with.

Dmitry Kuznetsov: Is he similar to Mogilny?

Sergei Fedorov: No. Sashka was more powerful. He was stronger physically. And his skating manner was a bit different. Zhenya has a different style. He is very smooth, you can even say elegant.

KHL All-Star Game Promotional Photos

Feds is so glad he renewed his membership at the hockey-golf club.

Ladies.

Ah! But the nine iron is a foolish choice for this kind of ice surface. Everyone knows you should use a putter to go top shelf. 

Why yes, he is the captain of the All-Star Game! How did you know? 

Real hockey players are always ready to play, even when waiting at the dentist’s office. 

Speaking of the dentist’s office. 

Obligatory rookie photo pose. 

They never make it through a whole game without someone losing his temper and cross-checking the chessboard. 

Oh, here he goes. 

KHL training exercise. 

Liam Neeson stars in “The Sergei Fedorov Story.” 

Chess metaphor. 

“I must break you.”

Captions by Ana Hansen.

Caps prospect and cupake-connoisseur Evgeny Kuznetsov won this year’s KHL Breakaway Challenge by using some Ovechkin-esque moves on future NHL HOF goaltender Dominik Hasek. The video of it can be seen above. If I had to pick my own personal favorite breakaway, I’d choose Kuznetsov’s second attempt where he juggled the puck down the ice mid-air with his stick, threw it over Hasek’s head in reaction to The Dominator trying to tackle him, and then skated himself and the puck into the goal. All with only a spotlight on him! Kuzya, who also had a goal and four assists in Team Jagr’s 18-16 victory over Team Yashin, was the youngest player ever to play in the KHL All-Star Game at 18-years old. The future for this young Russian is certainly bright! The only question I have is: will Kuzya’s hot-streak ever end?

Photos from the KHL’s All-Star weekend