Photo credit: allhockey.ru

Over the last week, CSKA general manager and former Capital Sergei Fedorov has been a busy man, signing Ilya Bryzgalov, Pavel Datsyuk, and Mikhail Grabovski to lockout contracts. CSKA’s roster, which also includes former KHL MVP Alex Radulov, is much like the New York Yankees: they are rich, and they sign the best players.

Coming into Thursday’s game with Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s Traktor Cheylabinsk, it was obvious who the favorites were. But thanks to a stunning goal by Andrey Popov in the final minutes and a meltdown by Radulov, Traktor prevailed 4-3.

Highlights below.

We start with the game tied 3-3. Anton Glinkin skates behind the net, blindly passing to Popov in the crease. Popov turns his body and sends the puck home off his backhand. How in the world?

A few minutes later as CSKA tried to tie before the end of regulation, Traktor enforcer Andrey Vasilchenko shoved Radulov after a stoppage in play. You do not touch the Rads. Disdainful Radulov threw punches and shouted obscenities at the Traktor defenseman.

While both players seemed to deserve matching minors for roughing, the officials sure didn’t see it that way, only whistling Radulov for slashing. And that’s when Rads lost it.

For shoving the official, Radulov was immediately kicked out of the game and given two misconduct penalties. He finished with 34 PIMs.

Before you judge Radulov, it’s not like he has a history of this kind of behavior.

Oh, right.

Alex Ovechkin skating with Dynamo in 2010. (Photo credit: Sport-Express)

Over the weekend, it was widely reported that Alex Ovechkin‘s former Russian Super League team, Dynamo Moscow, would try to sign the Capitals captain if the NHL enters into a lockout on September 15th. According to rsport.ru, Dynamo general manager Andrei Safronov said to the press, “[Leafs' forward Leo] Komarov (who played on the team last year) will come. We will talk with Ovechkin. It will be up to the head coach.” And headlines across Russia and North America followed.

Well apparently, not everyone in Dynamo’s front office are as open to Ovechkin returning — even for a potential asking price of $3 million (plus insurance). In an extended meeting with the press on Sunday, president Arkady Rotenberg distanced himself from Safronov’s earlier comments.

“If we really need [Ovi], maybe we will offer the money,” Rotenberg told R-Sport. “But I don’t think we need him. I even talked to his mom. She called because she didn’t understand my quote in an article. She said,’Does he need to play for Dynamo for free and you’ll put that money into the hockey school?’”

“We won’t fight and outbid other teams to get [NHL] players,” Rotenberg continued. “We’re better off using the money on our kids, because they’re the future. If we pay for Ovechkin and show him off, everybody will be like ‘Wow, Dynamo. Ovechkin signed.’ So what?”

Rotenberg, a billionaire businessman with links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is also concerned about his team’s chemistry. After winning the league championship the year before with a team made up of hard workers but few stars, Rotenberg was leery of upsetting the dynamic in the locker room and taking roster spots away from players who would definitely be with the team all year. Plus, with only 5 available spots open on each KHL team for “foreigners,” Dynamo is already at their limit.

When asked if it would be painful to see one of its most famous alumnus and an advisor to the team potentially signing with a rival club such as CSKA who employs former Capital teammate Sergei Fedorov as their general manager, Rotenberg did not change his stance.

“I’m actually against it. And I don’t see any prestige in it,” Rotenberg replied. “I think that Ovechkin isn’t necessary.”

Fedorov, who has already told the press that his dream-line would be Ovechkin with Alexander Semin and Pavel Datsyuk, may very well get a chance to make it happen.

Translation by Fedor Fedin.

Photo credit: Greg Flume

The final day of media availability is often referred to by reporters as the longest day of the year — and probably the least enjoyable. The news about Dale Hunter deciding to go back to his digs in London created a lot of buzz, and stories were told– like about how Jay Beagle tried to put his skates on over his swollen, broken foot before Game Six. But the general mood was one of somber –- not surprising, given how close the team came to Eastern Conference Finals.

The Capitals have a handful of free agents to deal with during this offseason, but none of them are as high-profile or as controversial as Alexander Semin. Will he bolt for the riches of the KHL, sign with another NHL team –- or return to the Capitals? I didn’t expect a straight answer to the question, so we just talked about… well, whatever he wanted. That includes Hunter hockey vs. Boudreau’s open style, the success of Braden Holtby, and his ice time.

On the playoffs:

This really was, in a way, the first playoffs for me with such tension, the games… everything. It was really interesting and exciting, seven games, overtimes, it was fun. This probably was the most memorable year ever. The other ones we either went out in the first round, or like last year, we lost in four straight in the second round. This time, it was both rounds seven games, all were one goal games.

Yes, we lost, but you can’t dwell on it. Such is this game, the stronger one wins. Everything was in our hands, but they took it, and we didn’t. In the end they won. Of course you analyze certain chances, trying to think, why I didn’t score here or there, why we lost that or that one. But now it’s in the past and life goes on. You can’t get hung up on it.

On his health:

I was lucky to stay healthy this season. There were a couple of minor ones early in the season, but nothing significant. My first season in the NHL when I was able to pretty much play in every game.

On Hunter’s system:

We did not have the same system the whole year. I think if Hunter was with the team from the very beginning of the season, things could have turned out a bit differently. He didn’t have enough time to build the team the way he wanted; we just got comfortable with his system in time for playoffs.

The whole year it was up-and-down, we win a game, we lose a game. By the time we got to playoffs, the team finally understood how to play the game he wanted, defense first, no mistakes, blocking shots, all five guys together. But during the regular season, intensity is not the same as in the playoffs. In postseason, every goal is worth its weight in gold.

On Holtby:

I think we played just as well as the Rangers, maybe even better than them in some moments. Their goalie played great, but so did ours. I wasn’t actually surprised by how well Holtby played. I knew what he was capable of from last year when he won ten games in a row, so I knew if he was in goal, we’d be fine.

On Hunter Hockey vs. run-and-gun:

Of course, personally, I like to play the open style hockey more, the one we used to play. It’s more fun –- open, creative passing, creating things off the rush. That’s the style of hockey I enjoy playing, but I understand, like it or not, in the playoffs you win if you play defensive hockey.

And what about Semin’s personal struggle in the scoring department? He had always produced respectable numbers (in the first round of playoffs at least), scoring on average almost every other game. But in the second round, the Caps forward’s scoring pace over his whole career has been a disappointment, with one goal in eighteen games played, and none in seven games against the Rangers this year. Does Sasha have an explanation?

Yeah I don’t know, it was like I was under a spell in this series with goals. I had a couple of good passes, and overall I didn’t play badly, but it just wasn’t happening for me.

Was this series a bad one? Yes, result-wise it was, but if I look at the way I played, I don’t think I was that bad. I could even say I played rather decently. I don’t know what everybody else thinks, but I think if you create chances, if you work hard…

But of course, if you don’t score, that just means you’ve got to work harder. Patience and hard work will overcome everything. There is no other way. You can’t give up, it’s life, and we learn as we live. You know, if it were easy to score, if you score one after another, it wouldn’t be interesting. You have to fight through, come up with something new.

Unquestionably, Semin’s relationship with the press, both mainstream and “new media,” has been far from perfect. To a degree, this lack of rapport with the press over the years has contributed to the abundance of unflattering opinion and commentary about the 28-year-old. I was curious to find out what Sasha thinks about this.

I try to stay away from reading the newspapers, because often it’s just total nonsense. Sometimes you grab a newspaper after the game, try to read about the game I played in, and it’s just… I don’t even know how it’s possible, which game did this reporter watch? He watched the game, why does he need to invent stuff? Yeah I understand, to keep people interested… but I played in that game, so I don’t need to read this.

About my game personally, yeah, there always people [in the media] who are on your side, and those who are against you. Of course it is always interesting to read some really nasty stuff about yourself! Especially the comments on the internet, all those who pretend to be GMs, I would do this, and I would do that, and meanwhile they have never seen anything but computer in their entire life… somewhere in the basement, spewing nonsense. If you don’t want to have all those thoughts in your head, better not to read any of that stuff.

All this was great, but there was no way I was walking away from this conversation without bringing up Semin’s plans for the future. So, let’s talk free agency, Sasha. …Yeah, right! “There is nothing to say on that, and even if there were, I wouldn’t tell you,” he told me, flat-out. “For now, I just don’t know.”

That didn’t get me very far, so I tried a different angle. I brought up the recent news about Semin’s ex-teammate Sergei Fedorov becoming the General Manager of CSKA Moscow, the most storied hockey club of the Soviet era. And with one of the Russian Big Oil players RosNeft now sponsoring the team, and the exception from KHL salary cap for Russian NHLers returning home… “I talked to Fedorov [after he got the GM job at CSKA], congratulated him,” he said. “I am not surprised by [this development]. I think he will do well. He had a great career as a player, I am sure he’ll succeed in this one as well.”

“So, if Fedorov invites you to join him in Moscow…” I started my sentence, only to have Sasha glare at me, slam his hands together – and then we both laughed and moved on. “I am still under contract, so I am not even thinking about it. When we make it to July 1st, then we’ll see.”

We were almost out of time, as Sasha was running late for the 2 o’clock team meeting, and then off to the airport to catch his flight to Stockholm, to join Team Russia for the World Championship. We talked a little bit about the plans for summer.

“First, the Worlds,” he said. “Then, just rest. I have a summer house on Krasnoyarsk Sea [a huge man-made lake created by damming Yenisey River]. I love spending my time there. It’s quiet. Fishing – I love it. And lots of bears wondering around.” [Ed. note – Ilya, beware!]

Last of all, I asked him if he felt tired from hockey.

“Hockey is what I love to do. I just wish it wasn’t taken away from me, the way I lost ice time. If you are one of the team leading players, it’s just hard when you get just 13 minutes a game–but it was all for the benefit of the team.”

There was no sarcasm or bitterness in his voice, just a hockey player who wanted to play hockey. My #SashaCares meter was off the charts.

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.

Evgeny Kuznetsov speeds down the middle during Traktor’s game against Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk (Photo credit: Vitaly Gubin, Traktor PR Service)

Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov, currently sitting in the top 15 in both goals and points (12g, 12a), was named a KHL All-Star for the second time on Monday. Unlike last season, Kuznetsov was overwhelmingly voted in as a starter this year by fans and will represent “Team Fedorov” of the Eastern conference. The 19-year-old Traktor Chelyabinsk forward finished second overall in total votes (33,800), trailing only Mikelis Redlihs of the Western Conference’s “Team Ozolins.”

To put Kuznetsov’s immense popularity in perspective, consider that he garnered more votes than reigning MVP Alexander Radulov, Roman Cervenka (the KHL’s leading scorer), Vladimir Tarasenko, and Russian National Team Captain Alexei Morozov.

Recently, Sovetsky Sport’s Pavel Lysenkov did a lengthy feature story on Kuznetsov, who some have called the new face of the KHL. Like most interviews with Russian players, the story starts off with questions about Vityaz Chekhov, who was recently beaten by Traktor on the scoreboard and tried to beat them back with their fists.

Most importantly to Caps fans, Kuznetsov discussed his possible NHL future, his contract situation, and who he idolized as a kid. Below the jump, I have the translation.

Evgeny Kuznetov: It’s difficult for Vityaz and Coach Nazarov to prove themselves anymore. What’s left for their enforcers? They need to fight somebody. I think every club in the KHL should have a tough guy. Let them fight each other. That’s useful. You get a “policeman” on the ice and everyone sees they shouldn’t touch the other players.

Pavel Lysenkov: Have you seen what Gimaev said to Sovetsky Sport? “[Russia] has to keep Kuznetsov until the Olympics”.

Evgeny Kuznetov: Right now my agent is negotiating with Washington. I am going to meet the team representatives when I am at the World Junior Championships in Calgary. I have no idea what kind of offer I am going to get. For now I am not going anywhere. I still have another half season to go on my contract with Traktor.

Pavel Lysenkov: National Team head Coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov also said you should not go.

Evgeny Kuznetov: I would stay in the KHL for 15 years! But in Russia they’re not used to giving out such long contracts. Who would pay a young player the money Ovechkin is getting in Washington? If I were offered a KHL contract like the one Ovechkin has, I’d sign it without a doubt! And I would play for Traktor until the end of my career. Wherever you get paid is a good place to be. That’s our job. But I have a dream to test myself in the NHL.

Pavel Lysenkov: Do you watch games of that league?

Evgeny Kuznetov: Yes, of course. It’s impressive that they squeeze so much out of half-chances. Mediocre players grind it out and score goals just on their character. In the NHL you’ve got to do everything very fast. In the KHL, the game is more finesse.

Pavel Lysenkov: What did Alex Ovechkin say when he hung out with you at your wedding party?

Evgeny Kuznetov: “Don’t worry. Come to the NHL and everything will be okay.” I went to Caps’ Development Camp after the draft last year. I went into the locker room and walked around for a week with my jaw on the floor.

Pavel Lysenkov: Why?

Evgeny Kuznetov: I came without a uniform. A man measured me with just a look. Then I returned from the hotel and the uniform of my size was already hanging there! After the training session, I started hanging it up. The equipment guy waved and said, “Throw it down! I’ll pick it up myself!” There’s professionalism everywhere. All you have to concentrate on is playing hockey.

Pavel Lysenkov: Is the KHL different?

Evgeny Kuznetov: In Traktor, they also help us handle our luggage. But in America you don’t even see these people [handling equipment]. You can go to Vegas with your wife. Or catch some sun rays in Miami. And return in time for the game. I know, many guys do that. But here – there is some lack of trust in the players. You must be with the team the day before a game.

Pavel Lysenkov: You know North America well.

Evgeny Kuznetov: So far, I’ve been there like 10 times. I played in Canada. I lived in New York. The first time I flew there I was 14. I just got my international passport! My mom put me on a plane, and my uncle godfather picked me up in New York. I played for a local team with a Russian coach. I walked around Manhattan. Bought souvenirs. I went to McDonald’s, and ordered by myself. Then I put 25 cents in a public phone, called my uncle and told him where I was standing and he picked me up. The weather was a bit of a let down. It was raining for the first three weeks. I wanted to swim in the ocean. My godfather said, “Let’s go to the beach”. All the Americans were hiding under their umbrellas. I ran right into the waves. They were thinking there goes some crazy Russian kid. But then some followed me. The water turned out to be pretty warm.

Pavel Lysenkov: Who do you like among hockey players?

Evgeny Kuznetov: I follow a lot of players. What they do during the game, how they hold their stick for a faceoff. You try to pick up few tricks. Malkin and Datsyuk of course are top class.

Pavel Lysenkov: Have you met them?

Evgeny Kuznetov: No. Alexander Semin played in Chelyabinsk at one point. But he probably doesn’t remember me. I was little, about eight years old. They lived at the boarding school for the kids from out of town. I was spending all my time at the stadium. Went right by the school and to the rink.

Pavel Lysenkov: Did you ask for Semin’s stick?

Evgeny Kuznetov: I asked other guys from Traktor’s squad for their sticks. Nobody gave me one. I became their teammate in like eight years.

Pavel Lysenkov: When you were 12, Canadians made a movie about you. How did they know you’d be a famous player?!

Evgeny Kuznetov: Canadians sent a letter beforehand saying they need Kuznetsov. I played in Omsk then. It was shot in about two weeks. The entire movie is three hours long and it’s about hockey in Siberia. One and a half of that is about me. They were interested about everything: how do we make pelmeni; how the kids are playing hockey. We were walking for 30 minutes in -22 degrees Fahrenheit from the camp to the rink, while the Canadians were running behind us with a camera. They first noticed me when I was nine in a tournament. We played in Mahnitogorsk. The whole “Romazan” [Ed. Note - Former Metallurg arena] was watching. The locals were invincible, but we smashed them 12-2 in the final. We were given a cup like a table lamp. The Magnitogorsk guys were give a trophy that looked like a Stanley Cup, along with uniforms, shoes, and sticks. They gave me 600 rubles for being the top scorer. And a medal. I scored like 20 goals then. Nobody else was even close! I was so disappointed that I wanted to cry.

Pavel Lysenkov: What were you dreaming about when you were 12?

Evgeny Kuznetov: I wanted to be Jaromir Jagr [Ed. note: Sigh].

Pavel Lysenkov: Wow!

Evgeny Kuznetov: When Jaromir came to Avangard in 2004, all of Omsk was crazy about him. First, we thought at the training, “Who is that clumsy guy skating?” But then he went out on the ice for the game. And everybody just gasped. I couldn’t get an autograph then. I have photo from that year. I took a picture of him with my cellphone camera from up close. I printed that out then. It’s now hanging on the wall in my house.

Pavel Lysenkov: So you never met him?

Evgeny Kuznetov: Why? During the previous KHL All-Star Game, I said hello to him. I stood near him. I was quiet. I saw Jagr smiling when I scored on the breakaway. “Great job,” he said.

Pavel Lysenkov: You played on the line with Sergei Fedorov.

Evgeny Kuznetov: When he went to Detroit in 1991 I wasn’t even born yet. When I look at guys like him I see how i need to work. I read Sovetsky Sport when Fedorov gave me three pieces of advice. One of them – only go to the NHL as a mature player and don’t get lost on a farm team. If you’re not ready, you better stay. Achieve something in Russia, it will be easier for you then. When Ovechkin went to NHL, he was big like a wardrobe [Ed. Note: Not to be confused with the one and only Wardrobe in the history of hockey]. You couldn’t push him out. Malkin achieved everything in Magnitogorsk. Kovalchuk showed himself playing for Spartak.

Part two of the interview.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Photo credit: Nick Wass

Editor’s note: To get you properly revved up for the season, each member of the RMNB crew will take a longing look back at some of our favorite goals from days gone by. You can call it nostalgia or cheap summer content, but it’s really a reminder: WINTER IS COMING.

I’m the young one, so allow me to use recent history.

It was April of 2009. With the Capitals making the playoffs for the second year in a row, I decided to give this hockey thing a shot. Up until then, baseball had always been my sport.

After enjoying a couple games on TV, I got tickets to Game 2 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Rangers. 60 minutes of play later, I was hooked. Really hooked. The Caps were shut out 1-0, but the excitement, the speed, the gritty beauty of game had me. So I got tickets again. This time: Game 7, 7PM April 28.

New York opened the scoring five minutes into the game. I don’t remember who scored, but I do know how to google. It was Nik Atropov. Nearly 10 minutes later, Alex Semin knotted the game at one when his wrist shot deflected off the defenseman’s stick. The score would remain that way for another 39 minutes and 27 seconds.

Then someone decided to break the stalemate. It wasn’t Alex Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom –stars that even an idiot like me knew all about back then — but a 39-year-old Russian playing out the final games of his storied NHL career.

Sergei Fedorov.

The roar of sheer joy that encompassed Verizon Center was unlike anything I had experienced before. It never let up.

It was heaven. It was hockey.

Hockey returns to DC in 22 days!

Despite winning gold at the World Junior Championships and putting up one of the best years ever recorded by a 18-year-old in Russia, Capitals prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov spent most of last year playing through pain. The reason? A nagging shoulder injury that never completely healed after offseason surgery.

So Kuznetsov, who revealed to reporters in December that he struggled doing push-ups, flew back to Germany and went under the knife again in April. Thirteen and a half weeks later — with a renegotiated contract with Traktor and wife in hand – Kuznetsov seems optimistic of a full recovery.

Sport.ru’s Andrey Osadchenko recently spoke with the now 19-year-old and the two discussed a variety of topics. Most notably for Caps fans, Kuznetsov said that he has been looking at real estate in the D.C. area and plans to play for the Capitals in 2012-13.

Below, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner has your translation.

Pedaling, pedaling, pedaling

Andrey Osadchenko: Recently you had another shoulder surgery in Germany. A year ago you said that the first surgery was not very successful. What about this time?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: At first, I went there for evaluation. In the beginning, the doctor did not want to do another surgery. He was saying it was pretty serious, the surgery would take a long time. In the end, he did operate on me, and it turned out pretty good. He said that he managed to do everything he had planned. My pain was in the bone. So he came up with something new, and now the shoulder is perfectly safe. The main thing is to maintain the rehab schedule the doctor prescribed.

Andrey Osadchenko: The initial assessment was that your rehab would take about 3 months.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: 17 weeks. It’s been 13 and a half.

Andrey Osadchenko: Are you not training?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I am not even allowed more than 15 minutes on a stationary bike. Although, sometimes I cheat and just keep pedaling, if no one sees me. (laughing)

Andrey Osadchenko: Is it possible that you will miss the start of the season?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It all depends on how my recovery progresses. So far I just go to physical therapy and various treatments. In a couple of weeks, I will start the full training. Stationary bike, running, bungee cord exercises. Then we’ll see. I think I will get a chance to play in the Romazan tournament. Maybe in a limited role. We’ll see how I feel. The doctor said in this situation there should be no fixed schedule. How I feel will determine everything. If there is no pain, I can practice and play. If it hurts, I need to stop.

Andrey Osadchenko: Why was your surgery in April, and not right after the season ended?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Because I got injured playing for the Sbornaya in Smolensk against Belarus. There wasn’t even that much contact. But my shoulder popped out. When I returned to Moscow, the doctors evaluated me, and said that I needed surgery, otherwise it will be too late. If I put it off, they possibly would have brought me to the World Championship. And if I got re-injured there, it would hurt the team, as I would be taking someone’s spot. So we decided to go ahead with the surgery, to be able to recover in time for the start of next season. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have been able to prepare for the WJC training camp. If, of course, I am invited.

Andrey Osadchenko: Following the triumphal return from Buffalo, there were lots of rumors surrounding you. There was talk of you being traded to SKA, Salavat and Magnitogorsk. Was there anything behind those rumors?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Let’s just say there was a possibility. Valery Konstantinovich [Belousov, Traktor head coach] said there was something like eleven teams that wanted to get me for the playoffs. But if I went somewhere for the playoffs, I would become a player of that club. There is no possibility of being loaned to another team in the KHL. You can only be traded. And even if there was some way around that, there was no guarantee I would be allowed to return. That was too risky. So they decided not to trade me. And I did not want to be traded. Because I promised to the coach, and to the whole city, that the next season I will play in Chelyabinsk 100%. I have a 5 year contract, which I signed a long time ago. This will be the last year of the contract.

Tactics with Fedorov

Andrey Osadchenko: Nevertheless, you did get a chance to play alongside many players from those teams – during the KHL All Stars game. Was it a surprise for you?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I was just leaving the practice facility. Myagent calls me and says: “Did you see it?” So I said “Did I see what? I don’t understand.” And he says “Go on the internet.” So I did. I take a look – and see I am selected to play on the third line with Fedorov and Kontiola. Then I realized that the organizers were trying to get the young players involved. So, frankly, I was selected simply because I am young, and not based on my game.

Andrey Osadchenko: What can you say about the event?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It was all very new to me. I was waking around with my mouth open, looking at the stars. I did not get to interact with all of them – I was too shy to walk up to them. I really wanted to meet Sergei Fedorov. That I managed to do – we talked a bit. He is a great person. There is a lot to learn from him. To play like that in the playoffs at his age! He has so many games behind him, but he always goes out there like he is 18 years old. That’s the kind of person to learn from. I follow him not just on the ice, but also in life.

Andrey Osadchenko: During the skills competition program, you were interacting with Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Radulov. If it’s not a secret, what were you talking about.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: That was during the shot accuracy contest, and it was Sergei Fedorov’s turn. We were discussing the tactics (laughing). Although, in the end, he wasn’t able to do what he intended to. And with Radulov, we were just kidding around, because I was shooting right after him.

Andrey Osadchenko: Your “artistic” shootout attempts were awesome. Did it take you a while to come up with those?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not at all. I remember doing it since I was a kid. I used to do it pretty well, so I decided to try again.

Andrey Osadchenko: Hasek practically ruined one of your attempts, when he left the crease and grabbed you. Did you ask him later why he did that?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: No, I did not. Regardless, I was able to do what I was trying in a later attempt.

Andrey Osadchenko: You tried using two sticks for one of your attempts. Is it hard to control the puck that way?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: To tell you the truth, I simply didn’t know what to try. And Radulov just gave me the stick and said “Here. Go!” I was a bit nervous, so it didn’t really work out.

A couple of words for the lawyer

Andrey Osadchenko: Following the victory in Buffalo some of the players were invited to be on a Channel 1 show. What was it like to see your teammates with Andrey Malakhov?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I don’t know about the guys, I landed at 10 in the morning, and was on the ice playing for Traktor at 5 in the evening that day. I did, of course, see a replay of that show. I also would have liked to go on it. To see people. To get some TV exposure, so to speak. (laughing)

Andrey Osadchenko: A large part of that show was dedicated to the events at the airport. Are you tired of all this talk over the last half a year?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I keep telling everybody just the truth. I tell like it was. Only sick people refuse to believe that there was nothing there for real. No, I am not getting tired from it. Normal people understand me. When a team wins, there is celebration. No one should be mad at us for beating the Canadians 5:3. Actually, even more than that. We beat them 5:0 in the third period. That’s why they are angry at us. That’s unsportsmanlike.

Andrey Osadchenko: When you watched the show, were you angry at the people who criticized the sbornaya?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I would like to say a few words, face to face, to that lawyer, or whoever he was. That’s the kind of person I am – I always say everything openly. I would find something to tell him. Everybody would laugh, and he would have left early, without even going to his seat.

Andrey Osadchenko: Later on, you participated in a feature “Without a Helmet” of the show Russia’s Hockey (translated here). Did you like answering funny questions?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Yes, I did. Although I was a bit baffled. I never had to answer such questions before, so I had to come up with something on the spot. But I really liked it. Thanks to the people who invite young players like myself.

Andrey Osadchenko: You said that you don’t like when girls ask you about your age. Why?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: That was simply the first thing that came to mind. (laughing)

Andrey Osadchenko: So, in this situation, is it appropriate to ask you which question you don’t like to hear from the reporters?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: When they start asking about those close to you. I think no one wants to talk about the family. That’s personal. Ask any player – no one is ready to talk about that. And for the journalists, it is interesting to dig something up, find out something nasty about me, and write about it. Of course some are normal and don’t ask about it. I just don’t like when they dig into the personal life.

A concealed medal

Andrey Osadchenko: Your long time Sbornaya teammate Vladimir Tarasenko recently had a role in a music video [KHL promotinal video by Noize MC]. How long will we have to wait for you to participate in a similar event?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: As soon as they ask me, I’ll be happy to do it. But nobody has invited me so far. Which means I am not at Volodya Tarasenko level yet, to be in a music video.

Andrey Osadchenko: If we assume hypothetically that you are in a music video, which song would you like it to be?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I don’t know. Maybe some Russian pop, so I can at least understand the lyrics. Although I wouldn’t mind to be in a rap video. I would like to sing with Noggano. [a.k.a.Basta – Ovi and Semin like him too. See here.]

Andrey Osadchenko: How about acting in a movie?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I would love to. Any movie. Except porn.

Andrey Osadchenko: The domestic movie industry has promised to release several sports movies. Do you think there will be a feature film about your victory in WJC 2011?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I don’t think it will be a full-feature, but they should pick up some moments from it. Because we have not won it in a while. It doesn’t matter what they say – luck or otherwise. In any case it is a gold medal, a victory. We’ll see what happens at the next World Championship.

Andrey Osadchenko: If there is a movie, who do you see playing the role of Evgeny Kuznetsov?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Maybe Brad Pitt or Jackie Chan. At worst, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Andrey Osadchenko: By the way, have you ever thought about writing a book? There could be a nice anthology of of your aphorisms.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: When I am finished with hockey, I will write a tell-all book. Can’t do it right now. I could write a lot about things that are not for the media, and not for anybody at all. Especially about kids’ hockey.

Andrey Osadchenko: In early June you had your wedding at Traktor Arena. Did everything go as planned, or were there any surprises?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: At first, they were trying to talk us into it for a long time. We basically opened the arena. When they built the arena, they handed me the ceremonial key. The city government asked us to have our wedding ceremony there. We agreed. Everything was exceptional, just as they promised us – minute by minute. Everything was great.

Andrey Osadchenko: Was it strange to see a familiar arena turned into a wedding palace?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I did not even see much of it. I was watching my step, trying not to fall down. (laughing) I was afraid to trip over the carpet.

Andrey Osadchenko: Following the final game in Buffalo you said you would be wearing your gold medal to you wedding. Why did you change your mind?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: How do you know? What if it was under my shirt?

Andrey Osadchenko: So was it or not?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It’s a secret.

Andrey Osadchenko: When were you more nervous – during your wedding or before the final game in Buffalo?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I wasn’t nervous at either. And those are different things. In the final everything depended not just on me, but on all of the guys, the team. During the wedding I was not nervous – I knew what I was going for, I was ready. I was nervous when I proposed. At the wedding – what is there be nervous about? There was no way back. And I did not want to go back, I was already under the spell.

Russian Washington

Andrey Osadchenko: You made your debut for the Sbornaya this year, managed to score three points in three Eurotour games. Are you satisfied with this result?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: If we won, then I would be satisfied… I really wanted to go to the Worlds, even as a reserve player. If it weren’t for the surgery, I think I would have gone there. I even would pay my own way just to support our guys. That was one of the goals I set for myself before the season.

Andrey Osadchenko: You went through every stage of the National Team. How is the main Sbornaya different from the U20 or U18 teams?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: No, not “every”… I haven’t played for the women Sbornaya yet. (laughing) There are a lot of differences. Above all, the level of players. In the main team there are adults. They think totally differently. In a way, it is easier to play for the first Sbornaya, because there veterans there. They always help with advice. Everybody understands each other at half word. In the junior team everybody tries to stand out, pull the blanket toward himself.

Andrey Osadchenko: Interestingly, Finland brought Sami Valtanen to this tournament, you had a bit of a war of words with him in the media during the WJC. Did you talk to each other?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: No. they probably saw it on YouTube and decided to have a real life test.

Andrey Osadchenko: Do you think he is mad at you for your frank comments?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I do not think so. We met, and he did not say a word. It’s his fault. I did not say it for no reason. I don’t think many people know why I said it. If everybody knew why I said it, I think not only people would they support me, they would think I did not say enough. How could he say: “Who are the Russians? Who are Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Orlov, Kitsyn? I don’t know them.” You should be more humble. You haven’t beat us yet, and you are talking about playing in the final. That’s not nice.

Andrey Osadchenko: Did you keep the puck that you scored your first goal for the Sbornaya with?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Yes. It’s on the shelf at home. My mom wipes the dust off of it. I have two pucks there. The first goal in the KHL and that one.

Andrey Osadchenko: What was the most memorable moment of Eurotour for you?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Probably the first practice. A very anxious moment. Everybody gathered – coaches, players, reporters. Then everything was all right. I became friends with the guys and calmed down.

Andrey Osadchenko: You decided to stay with Traktor for another year, even though you could have tried yourself overseas. Why?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: It was a difficult situation. There was a moment when I decided to leave, because there were certain problems. Then everything changed. I promised to Valery Konstantinovich and to the governor to stay in Chelyabinsk for another year. I am thankful to them for giving me so much attention. I even got an apartment after the World Championship. I simply had to stay. Besides, realistically, it’s a bit too early for me to go there. I want to go to the NHL prepared, when I am confident I can make the team. To play in the AHL for 2-3 years – that’s not for me.

Andrey Osadchenko: Do for now you familiarize yourself with the NHL on Playstation?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Yes, when I play, my hands shake. I really want to make it there soon.

Andrey Osadchenko: Which team are you?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Washington. I gathered all the Russians, including the young guys, and play. I put myself on the line with Alex Ovechkin.

Andrey Osadchenko: So who scores more?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: I do, of course. (laughing) But only in a virtual game.

Andrey Osadchenko: The fans in Washington can’t wait for you to join.

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Next year (2012-2013). I don’t know if I am going to make the main team, but I am planning to move there for the next season. Sasha Ovechkin said he would help with the apartment at first. We will live at his place for a couple of months, then, of course we will rent our own apartment. I even checked the apartment prices there over the internet.

Andrey Osadchenko: Much more expensive than in Chelyabinsk?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: Yes, but it makes no sense to buy. We’ll rent. Most important thing is to be close to the practice facility. They explained everything to me. The agent said he would help with the car. There shouldn’t be any problem. They told me: “Just come. We’ll take care of everything”.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

When a Caps Prospect goes above and beyond the call of duty, a one paragraph summary in Prospect Watch does not suffice. Today, we detail the fantastic first half of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s sophomore KHL season. Take it away, Fedor.

Kuznetsov gestures to Traktor fans during a post-game celebration. See the video below for more.

During the 2010 NHL Entry Draft on June 26th, General Manager George McPhee had his sights set on one player. In his eagerness, he even tried to trade away a prospect for a move up ten spots in the first round to get his man. That would prove to be unnecessary.

Evgeny Kuznetsov fell to the Caps at pick number 26. “We think he’s a very, very dynamic player,” McPhee said of Kuz at the time. ”He can skate, he thinks the game well, he moves the puck, he really attacks the net.” Braden Holtby agrees.

Fast-forward five months. You’ll find the 18 year-old tearing up the KHL in only his second season. Since being put on the “Young Guns Line” with Andrei Popov (a Philadelphia Flyers ’06 draftee) and Anton Glinkin, Kuznetsov has found some serious chemistry with his linemates. He has four goals and two assists in six games since the EuroHockeyTour break ended on November 17th. His team, Traktor Chelyabinsk, has won five straight games.

Kuznetsov and the team’s development has also been aided by legendary coach, Valeri Belousov. He has been the bench boss for all of the Big Siberian Three teams (Traktor, Avangard, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk) and has coached both Jaromir Jagr– during his lockout stint with Avangard– and Sergei Fedorov last season with Metallurg.

The official blog of Traktor lays it out:

The November break allowed Belousov to get the team closer to the version he wants to create. He went to great lengths to reassure his players– despite the pressing responsibility of making the playoffs– and has made them believe in themselves more. To create the line combinations he has found a balance between veterans and youngsters.

In the realm of statistics, Kuznetsov has scored 8 goals and tallied 4 assists in 25 games. 25 games remain in Traktor’s regular season. Kuz projects to finish the year with 16 goals and 8 assists. How would this compare to the seasons Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Semin had the year after they had been drafted?

* Year of the NHL Lockout where the level of competition in the RSL was considered higher

Pretty favorable comparison. Kuznetsov is on pace to score more goals than all three players at the same age. Does that mean Kuz will be a slam-dunk, 50 goal scorer when he inevitably joins the Capitals? Goodness, no. But it does mean that George McPhee’s comment that “[Kuznetsov's] probably talented enough to play in the NHL”  sounds awfully sage.

To get a better idea of Evgeny’s skillset, burgeoning creativity, and talent, let’s take a look at some of his most recent goals (Kuz wears #92).

Evgeny scores on a curl-and-drag move against CSKA to tie the game at two. Traktor went on to win 3-2. Remind you of a anyone?

After the game, Kuznetsov was asked about how it felt to score such a beautiful goal during the locker room interview: “I’m just trying to be ready to score if I can,” Kuznetsov said, “and it doesn’t matter how. The main thing is to get a goal up on the scoreboard.”

At 1:35 in this video, Evgeny fakes a wraparound, curls back around the net, and scores in front. This goal came late in a game with Dynamo Riga, making the score 3-1.  Traktor won 4-1:

In his interview after the game, Kuznetsov reflected on chance. “I think it’s luck when you get a good opportunity to score. Whether you use it or not depends on the skill to make everything right. The puck went the right way, I tried to get it low, and it hit the five hole.”

At 7:01 here Kuznetsov scores a tie-breaking PPGWG via wraparound. This extended Traktor’s winning streak to four games:

Finally, at 4:07, Evgeny Kuznetsov expertly deflects a shot from the paint to tie the game at 2. Traktor went on to win 3-2 in the shootout:

For Kuznetsov, it doesn’t matter how you score. His play reminds this writer of Claude Giroux.

Bonus. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Petr Vampola celebrate with their fans after a win. Nice showmanship, better than those tame Ovechkin-Backstrom’s jump-bumps. [Ed. Note: Please watch until the end. You'll be glad you did.]

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Alex Semin cries after receiving his silver medal.

Today, Russia’s 27 game World Championships winning streak came to a devastating end in a post-olympic rematch against Jaromir Jagr’s Czech Republic team. And much like the match in the Olympics earlier in the year, the pivotal play of today’s World Championships gold medal game was a huge Alex Ovechkin hit. But this time, it was the Russian Machine accidentally laying out and injuring one of his own teammates, Sergei Fedorov (above), which led to Tomas Rolinek’s game winning goal in the second period. Riding stellar goaltending from Tomas Vokoun and an incredible team defense, the Czechs took a 2 goal lead into the third period that they would never relinquish. Our beloved Ruskies fall to the Czech Republic 2-1. Silver has never tasted so bitter.

Like one would expect, the Russians came out and played with fire. But much like the Canadiens/Capitals series, most of Russia’s chances came from the perimeter. And the Czechs waited and pounced on any mistakes Russia made. A sense of real urgency only revealed itself towards the end of the third period. And by then it was too late for Russia.

You can't blame Varly. Semyon Varlamov had 23 saves in today's loss.

Our own Fedor Fedin blames the coaching of Vyacheslav “Slava” Bykov and Igor Zakharkin for not realizing the potential of such a star-filled Russian roster. People in Russia may blame the superstars on Russia’s roster like Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Evgeni Malkin, but if you watched today’s game, it’s clear the system and coaching is not where it should be. Fedor believes strongly that former Red Wings player Igor Larionov should be named the new coach of the National Team. Make it happen, Russia. The clock’s ticking.

Moving forward, we extend our congratulations to Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and Semyon Varlamov for winning silver and playing pretty incredibly considering their extremely difficult schedule this year. Playing in a 82 NHL Regular Season, the Olympics, the NHL Playoffs and the World Championships must have taken a huge toll on their bodies and we hope they take the next few weeks to relax and put this year behind them.

Below are a few screen captures from today’s game. Common theme: devastation.

The Brooks Laich Bodycheck on Alex Ovechkin That Started a Brawl

Sergei Fedorov’s Second Career Fight Against Steve Downie

God, I hate Downie.