Ovechkin, Komarov, and some body parts of Backstrom during their stint with Dynamo. (Photo credit: HC Dynamo)

On Wednesday, Dynamo Moscow beat Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s Traktor Chelyabisnk to win the Gagarin Cup for the second straight year. After the win, some Russian media outlets reported that Alex Ovechkin‘s name will be engraved on the Cup as he played in more than half of the regular season games with Dynamo. Ovi also said he’s going to get a championship ring.

Today those same outlets, Sovetsky Sport particularly, pulled a CNN and denied their own report (and unpublished the original stories), claiming that Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Leo Komarov doesn’t fit the definition of “loaned” players. A loaned player in the KHL is a player who was sent down to a minor professional league like the VHL. Since their contracts were voided when the three went back to the NHL, the number of games played is irrelevant. Technically, Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Komarov are no longer part of Dynamo.

Later, Sovetsky Sport contacted Dmitry Kurbatov, KHL’s director of sports events organization, to clear up the situation. Read this and let us know if this actually clears up anything.

There’s a requirement for the number of games played in sports regulations for a player to have his name engraved on the Gagarin Cup. But there’s another paragraph. A few people, at the club’s discretion, may get included in the champions list as well. Simply said, Dynamo has enough legal base to write Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Leo Komarov in that list.

So, you can write in whomever you want, including the players?

You can even write in both of us.

If Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Komarov will get written in, will they be officially considered Russian national champions? [Ed. Note - The KHL champion is also considered the Russian national champion as the KHL has rights to conduct national championships by the Russian Hockey Federation. For example, prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov has a silver medal for making the finals this year and bronze for playing in the conference finals last year].

They will be Gagarin Cup winners. I’m not ready to say anything about the Russian national championship as that is held under the unified plan of sports events approved by sports minister [Vitaly] Mutko. Same as whether they will be given sports titles for a win. [...] This is not our question at all.

So they may not receive a medal?

Usually, Russian Hockey Federation has a pack of medals – 40-45. Then they try not to interfere with the club’s internal policy.

Sports.ru’s blogger Dmitry Feschenko, however, questions the legal side of the KHL’s actions. He points out that the paragraph Kurbatov cited actually reads: “[Eligible for getting their names engraved on the cup are] five executives and six other representatives of the club”.

Feschenko writes:

Ovechkin is OK here – he has a position as the club president’s advisor, and as that his name can make the Cup and could last year, too, but not as the player Alex Ovechkin. The more interesting is in what way do Toronto Maple Leaf Leo Komarov and Washington Capital Nicklas Backstrom represent Dynamo? What are their positions? Or can we really engrave some stranger’s name on the Cup? If so, it’s sad and that way the Gagarin Cup will never become an important trophy.

Just like with the Stanley Cup, KHL players also get to spend a day with the Gagarin Cup. Ovechkin, probably will, as he spends his time in Moscow during the summer. But what about Backstrom?

There are still a lot of questions and few answers.

Despite the Russian National Team beating out Team Sweden for the Channel One Cup, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom remain friends, as evidenced by this photo tweeted out by line-mate Leo Komarov. Sure, this embrace is not as epic as the bro hug the two shared when Backstrom first signed, but look at these guys. Tiiiiiiight for lyffffee.

Later, Komarov also tweeted out a photo of Ovi before arriving in Novosibirsk, where it’s -38 degrees today. That’s a lot of layers.

Photos via @LKomarov

Ovechkin on his GWG: “YEEEEEEESS!!” (Photo credit: Dynamo.ru)

Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin are on quite a streak. Backstrom has points in his last six contests (including one hat trick) and has been held without a point in just two of ten games since joining Dynamo Moscow. Meanwhile, Ovechkin has a five-game point streak going and has been held without a point in just three of his 19 games in the ‘K’.

On Friday against Severstal Cherepovets, Dynamo’s first line got even deadlier, as Toronto Maple Leaf Leo Komarov joined the team after a stint with the Marlies of the AHL. The trio combined to put up 8 points and 3 goals in Dynamo’s 5-3 win over Severstal. Backstrom, who was celebrating his 25th birthday, had four points (a goal and three assists) while his BFF Ovi had two goals, including the game-winner.

Let’s see this video.

Ovi’s goal assisted by Nick is at the 4:20 mark. Backstrom assist on Novak’s goal is at 5:25. Ovi GWG’s from Backstrom is at the 06:33 mark. Backstrom’s goal is at 8:35. Plus a reel of highlights from Ovi are at 8:15

Severstal Cherepovets put up quite a battle, scoring three goals in the first 6:39 of the second period and grabbing a 3-0 lead. But after that it was all Dynamo. The team in white and blue fired back with four tallies in the second period: two by Ovechkin (one was the game-winner, both assisted by Backstrom), one by Denis Pestunov, and one by Filip Novak (assisted by Backstrom as well).

In the third period, Backstrom added one more tally to make it 5-3, the final score. Not bad.

Photos Via Dynamo.ru

Nicky jumps over a hip check, then assists on a goal.

Ovechkin celebrates.

New line-mates Backstrom and Komarov celebrate Ovechkin’s goal.

Ovi takes a hit.

Backstrom’s named player of the game. View the full photo gallery here.

Slava Kozlov (Dynamo) and Nikita Pivtsakin (Avangard) go at each other during regular season Avangard – Dynamo game (Photo credit: OldWest.su)

The History

These two teams have met 66 times. Dynamo has won 35 of those match-ups, Avangard 23, with eight tie games. The teams have squared off in the playoffs five times– with Dynamo winning in 1995, 2005 and 2008, and Avangard winning in 2003 and 2004. But they have never played each other in the finals. Until now.

The most famous series between the two was the 2004-05 semifinals. After getting eliminated by the Omsk Hawks two straight times, Dynamo (featuring Pavel Datsyuk, Alex Ovechkin and Andrei Markov) tried to stop Avangard (with Jaromir Jagr, Oleg Tverdovsky and one of the greatest lines in modern Russian hockey history: Maxim Sushinsky, Dmitry Zatonsky and Alexander Prokopiev).

The defending champions from Avangard won game one of the best-of-five series in the shootout (yes, shootouts in playoffs). In the second game they were crushed, 11-0. That game featured Alex Ovechkin’s first fight as a pro. During a line brawl, then-young Ovi dropped the gloves against Oleg Tverdovsky.

Ovechkin and Dynamo celebrate their championship in 2004-05. (Photo credit: thirdstringgoalie.blogspot.com)

Games Three was the key, decided by one of the most mysterious moments in Russian hockey. In the middle of the third period of a scoreless game, a shot by Dynamo’s Igor Mirnov went off one post, off another, and out. Referee Rafael Kadyrov pointed to the center ice but went to see the replays. It took him more than eight minutes to watch the goal from all the angles he wanted but he didn’t see any evidence that the puck did not cross the goal line, and therefore it was considered a good goal. The general consensus was that laws of physics couldn’t allow the puck to go in after hitting the first post and before hitting the other, but Kadyrov called it a goal. Dynamo won 1-0. They also won Game Four, 3-1 and moved on to win it all sweeping Alexander Semin (Semin vs Ovechkin!) and Lada Togliatti.

The Stars

These teams feature two of the best players not currently in the NHL.

Hard-nosed speedy winger Leo Komarov from Finland would fit well in the NHL with his style of play. A fearless agitator, Komarov is really fun to watch. He skates full circles after hitting the ice before every period of play, including in front and behind the opposing net. One of the funniest hockey scenes I’ve ever witnessed was when Leo tucked in his jersey — right in the goal crease — after the whistle. It drove the defensemen off, but that was exactly what he wanted. Komarov’s rights are currently held by the Maple Leafs, and it has been reported that they will make another attempt to lure Leo to the NHL.

Unlike Komarov, Roman Cervenka is more of a finesse player. Defensively sound, big shooter, smooth skater; it’s difficult to find a weakness in Cervenka’s game. He provides offense consistently thanks to a high hockey IQ. Cervenka could be the KHL’s biggest star since Radulov’s departure. He is versatile, playing either center or left wing. He has said that he wants to move to the NHL this summer after having a couple of great seasons in Russia. The biggest problem is that he speaks only Czech. But as long as the team he plays has a couple of Czech-speaking players who can translate for him, that shouldn’t be a big issue. The 26-year-old Cervenka is an undrafted free agent.

A portrait of Chris Simon taken by the KHL’s official magazine, Hot Ice

After leaving the Washington Capitals in 2002, Chris Simon played for five different NHL clubs over the following seven seasons. He received four suspensions during that time, including a 25-game ban for slashing Ryan Hollweg in the face and a 30-game sit down for tripping Jarkko Ruutu and then stomping on his leg with his skate.

In 2008, Simon opted to have a clean slate and joined the KHL. He signed with the league’s toughest team, Vityaz Chekhov. Known as the “Indian” among Vityaz fans, Simon quickly became a fan favorite and was named captain of the team. With Vityaz, he participated in the mega-brawl against Avangard Omsk, which resulted in both teams accumulating 600 PIM and a cancellation of the match. However, Simon’s scoring totals steadily grew every year in the KHL (eight goals in 2008-09, 13 in 2009-10 and 16 in 2010-11) and he was recently named to the 2011 KHL All-Star Game. Rumors that he would be traded at the deadline were circulating and finally, five days before the All-Star Game, he was traded to UHC Dynamo Moscow, who were looking to add some grit to their line-up for the playoffs. The second seed in the East, Dynamo was upset by Dinamo Riga in the first-round in a heart-breaking six-game series. Shortly after, Sport-Express spoke with the former Cap.

Below the jump, RMNB’s Igor Kleyer has translated the rare Simon interview. The 39 year-old talks about what it was like to learn Russian, who helped him settle in with his new team and why he decided to become a “tough guy” in the first place.

Question – Once you admitted that you had bought yourself a CD for learning Russian. What happened to it?

Chris Simon – Turned out there was not just one CD, but six of them. I opened the box, and got one disc out to start learning. I honestly tried to do the exercises, but I wasn’t getting anywhere. So I put the disk away. Some time afterwards, I tried to do it again. The same result. A couple of months ago, my family came to visit me. My wife came across the box, opened it, and could not find the third disc. When she asked me what I did with it, it was so funny. I realized that I started learning Russian with the third disk. Why I did not begin with the first one – I still have no idea. I decided that this summer I will try again. This time definitely starting with the first disc.

---

Q – We have heard a few entertaining stories about your life in Chekhov. Like the one about you trying to pay at a local store. The cashier told you the amount in Russian, you did not understand and started leaning over toward her in order to see the numbers on the monitor. The girl was so scared, she slammed the cash register closed. Is that true?

CS – Total nonsense. You know, Chekhov is a small town. Many people know me. Everybody is very friendly. I never had any problems, including at the stores. If I don’t understand how much I need to pay, the cashier just turns the monitor my way, so I can see the total. That’s all.

---

Q – Do the media often write things about you that are false?

CS – You know, I have only given a couple of TV interviews in Russia, and the same for print. But when I go on the internet, I see about 50 interviews that I never gave. But, honestly, I don’t care. I am not concerned about what they write or say about me. The most important things for me are my family and my team. If they are all right, I am happy.

---

Q – Can you give an example of finding an interview that you never gave?

CS – Just take the story about me being traded to Dynamo. I never gave any interviews on the matter, but somehow my words appeared on the internet. I understand that the journalists have a job to do. But I absolutely remember who I talk to and what I say.

---

Q – Your linemate, Leonid Komarov, has mentioned more than once that he would like to be like Jarkko Ruutu. Given your complicated history with that player, did you explain Leo that he has chosen a bad example for himself?

CS – I never met Ruutu in life outside of hockey. I am sure he is a good guy. We had a lot of run-ins on the ice, when I played for Calgary, and he was at Vancouver. And he always did everything underhandedly. So we had a decent feud going. But he is not a fighter, so I could never fight him. There are some players in the league who are dirty. Ruutu, Hollweg, Avery. The referees don’t give them much attention for some reason, and they get away with everything. By the way, when I see Ruutu playing in international games, surprisingly, it turns out he can score and pass.

---

Q – And what can you say about Leo Komarov?

CS – He plays a very interesting and physical game. Goes to the net, smashes the opponents into the boards, instigates. That’s how he earned the admiration of the fans. When Vityaz played against Dynamo, Leo played his game. And I always wanted to catch him and make sure he would not bother us anymore. But when you end up on the same team, you realize that you are pulling the same wagon together. And that is great. His style allows us to find the other team’s weaknesses and achieve the needed result. And generally speaking, Leo is a pleasant and friendly guy. He helped me out when I just joined the team.

---

Q – What do you think about Dynamo’s head coach Oleg Znarok?

CS – I had never met him before. Although Sandis Ozolinsh, who I played with in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup, told me that Znarok is a great coach and a wonderful person. I have not spent that much time at Dynamo, but I already realize Oleg is a coach who is concerned about his team. He cares about his players. And every player pays him back the same way. All players are determined to do as the coach says. During my career, there was only one coach with similar qualities. That was Ted Nolan. He did everything he could for the players to feel a part of the team and give it all they can. It’s always a pleasure to see a coach care more about his players than himself. I think a team like that will succeed sooner or later.

---

Q – Alex Karpovtsev is proud of having fought you once, and thinks he won that fight. Although he said he would not like to run into you again on the ice. Have you thought about a rematch?

CS – I remember the fight. Karpovtsev fell down rather quickly. He really surprised me by not refusing to fight. Karpovtsev is a big guy, well built physically. If he thinks he won, let him wear the crown and enjoy the glory. I pretty much don’t care what he thinks about that fight.

---

Q – One of the main characters from Dumas’ “Three Musketeers”, Porthos, answered the question why he fights by saying “I fight because I fight.” How would you answer this question?

CS – Honestly, I don’t know that writer. But to answer the question – I fight because I do it well. When I see my teammates picked on, I understand that you have to punish those people. And if someone runs into your goalie, a fight is unavoidable. You have to be able to do a lot of things in hockey. When a guy can fight and accepts a tough guy’s challenge, I respect that person. To be a tough guy is a serious and respectable choice. Maybe even as respectable as choosing to become a goalie. When a goalie makes a mistake – it’s a goal. When a fighter makes a mistake – it’s a smashed face and a lot of pain. There is a lot of pressure on a tough guy. When I came to Russia, I realized I will have to play different hockey here. I train a lot to improve my game. And I have had some success. For example, during the All Star game I won the shooting accuracy competition. But it wasn’t anything astounding, because I practice all the time.

---

Q – We heard when the list of players in the shooting accuracy competition was announced, a lot of people were surprised to see your name.

CS – You know, for someone like me to be invited to the All-Star game is a bit unusual. But when people look at your stats, they think – why not? I was a bit nervous coming out for the contest. When I watched the replay, it was obvious that I was a bit shaky. Maybe that’s why I hit the crossbar. But with my fifth shot I made up for it. And won the contest. In any case, I enjoyed my All-Star Weekend. It was a good celebration of hockey. Especially enjoyable was seeing the guys I used to play with.

---

Q – Like Valeri Kamensky? Did you talk about the past?

We won the Stanley Cup together. A victory like that connects people on the team. I was very hapy to see him again. He is an interesting person, a very strong leader. A very skilled player. But first and foremost – a great human being. His personal qualities left an even bigger impression on me than his hockey skills. He always cared about other people. And we were good friends while playing on the same team. And not just on the ice, but family friends as well. I remember his son often came to the games. During the All Star game Valera told me: “Si, my son doesn’t remember many of those who I played with, but he always remembers you.” I was touched. Because his son was a little kid then. But he remembers me.

Additional reporting by Fedor Fedin and Ian Oland.

When talking about the KHL player Leo Komarov, you have many different things you can describe him as: fan favorite, agitator, hitter or secondary scorer. Knowing that he was raised in Finland you understand Komarov is like Jarkko Ruutu or Sean Bergenheim. He is the type of guy you hate to play against.

Komarov, who was born in Estonia but is a duel citizen of Russia and Finland, is one of the Russian league’s brightest young stars. He racked up 26 points (including 14 goals) while registering 70 penalty minutes over 52 games in the 2010-11 KHL regular season, and also played in the Kontinental Hockey League’s All-Star Game. In the playoffs, which ended, well, earlier than expected for Dynamo, Komarov posted a remarkable four goals in just six games.

I have seen Komarov’s game live at one of Dynamo’s home matches, where he played on a line with former NHL star Miroslav Satan and Russian national team player Konstantin Gorovikov. He is fast, he hits players significantly bigger than him and he goes to the net hard. The 24 year-old is listed as center, but can play on the wing as well.

What do the Capitals and Dynamo have in common? Alex Ovechkin, who serves as an advisor to the Moscow club.

Dynamo’s general director said that Komarov has an offer from the NHL:

As far as I know, Komarov and [Roman] Derlyuk want to try to play in the NHL. If something won’t be good there, we’re waiting for them to come back. I want to mark out Komarov, he became much better this season. Figuratively, Leo was a student and became an overachiever taking responsibility and becoming a leader while just a year ago he was a third [or] fourth-liner.

Komarov’s National Hockey League rights are currently by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was drafted by the Leafs when there was not a transfer agreement between the NHL and Finnish SM-Liiga, where he played at the time. But I think that if Toronto has no interest in signing him, they should trade his rights to someone who does. If that is indeed the case, then the Caps might be a good fit. Why, you ask?

• If Caps are going to use Marcus Johansson as the second-line center next year, Komarov could possibly fill the role of a quality third-line center.
• Does Washington need an agitator? They have not had such a player since Matt Cooke *cringe*, and after playing in playoff series against the Rangers (Sean Avery), Penguins (Cooke) and Canadiens (Maxim Lapierre), I really wouldn’t mind Caps getting guy who would annoy their opponents just like those guys annoyed the hometown boys. Komarov was named the “most hated player” by the members of SM-Liiga three times.
• Komarov is born for the smaller, NHL-sized rinks. He likes to hit and searches for every opportunity, which is much easier to find on North American ice sheets compared to European ones.

This is how a power forward is supposed to score (@ 2:50):

What do you think? Should Washington “kick the tires” and explore signing Kamarov?

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.