“In Yaroslavl, they no longer believe in Konovalov”
– Is Konovalov’s decision to return to the KHL a success for Dynamo Moscow or a planned step?
– I think the Blue and Whites knew in advance that Ilya would return to our league, otherwise it would have been a kind of adventurism. Dynamo had surely already discussed everything with the goalkeeper.
– That is, Lokomotiv, giving him the rights, himself abandoned the goalkeeper, who three years ago became the best newcomer to his team?
– Yes, apparently in the Yaroslavl club they no longer believe in Konovalov. Otherwise, they would not part with such an asset. Ilya at Lokomotiv, as the coaches like to say, was “held in their hands” and considered the goalkeeper unsuitable for them. In general, it would be nice if Lokomotiv clearly explained their decision on Konovalov, so as not to give rise to speculation.
– Does Konovalov have a good chance of becoming Dynamo’s main goalkeeper again?
So far, he is a clear candidate for this role. Everything depends on him. The season will show which Konovalov is real. The one who was the main goalkeeper of Lokomotiv, or the one who later sat in the reserve.
– Why didn’t Ilya succeed in Edmonton? In the NHL he didn’t play a single game, and in the AHL he didn’t appear on the ice often.
“His career was not going well. After all, Konovalov left for the NHL after a bad season in Russia. That is, he left not because he was ready for a new challenge, but because he got into a desperate situation. He wasn’t allowed to play at Lokomotiv. In Edmonton, they weren’t expecting him much, apparently they said, ‘Well, if you want it yourself, come and try it.” The club did not risk anything in this situation.
“Potentially Bocharov is the goalkeeper of the Russian national team”
– Together with Konovalov, Lokomotiv released Pasquale to Magnitogorsk. Didn’t that surprise you?
– I was not surprised at all by the word “completely”. Personally, I’m not a big fan of this keeper either. I don’t like it when the goalie makes dizzying saves and then just leaves pucks in the near corner or behind the goal. I prefer that he takes all his pucks first. Moreover – saved, did not save, no one will scold him for this. But when you make mistakes in simple situations, it irritates both outfield players and coaches. I think Lokomotiv’s Pasquale deliberately broke.
– Will Bocharov succeed in Yaroslavl?
– I do not know. Ivan is a mysterious character for me. While playing very unstable. If Bocharov solves this problem, then he will succeed. The first thing that comes to mind is the problem of psychology.
– Will famous goalkeeper coach Rashit Davydov help deal with it?
– Let’s see. After all, it’s one thing to work with Shesterkin or Koskinen, who never had stability issues. And now, as far as I know, Davydov was one of the initiators of the invitation to Lokomotiv Bocharov. And if he takes Ivan to a fundamentally different level, then yes. Because potentially Bocharov is the goalkeeper of the Russian national team. If he becomes stable for the national team, there will be no questions. No one doubts that Ivan’s skill level is high, but this level must be kept stable, without deep recessions. Then mistakes will be forgiven. For example, Vasilevsky played unsuccessfully in the first period of the Stanley Cup Final opener now. But Andrew is not blamed. Everyone understands: Vasilevsky is Vasilevsky. But if such slumps run through the game, questions will inevitably arise for the keeper.
“Sharychenkov had a good season in Ufa, but…”
– Metsola will not return to the KHL, despite the contract with Avtomobilist?
– Well, he himself said that he was going to continue his career in Switzerland. Like many Finns, Juha left the KHL early in the playoffs. And he’s not leaving yet. The agreement with Avtomobilist should not mislead anyone. I think that soon this contract will be given the status of “conflict”.
– Would Ufa and Metsola qualify for the playoffs?
– I’m not sure, Sharychenkov played well for Salavat Yulaev. If Metsola showed their highest level, like in 2019, then maybe they would have passed. But he hasn’t played like that for a long time.
– Will Sharychenkov become CSKA’s main goalkeeper again, as in the 2020/21 season? Admittedly, this was due to the injury of Lars Johansson, who recovered through the playoffs and once again took his place at the gate.
– It seems to me that CSKA will still be looking for a foreigner for this post. Of course, Sharychenkov had a very good season in Ufa. Maybe the army team will let him start, then they will draw conclusions.
– Sharychenkov is not the goalkeeper of a top club?
– For a team like CSKA, you need a goalkeeper who “steals” matches. Sharychenkov doesn’t steal them, he just had a good time last season.
What does “steal” mean?
– The most typical example is our bronze medal game at the 2019 World Cup. The Czechs, led by Milos Rzhiga, then simply carried us through the game. And Vasilevsky took and won this game. Actually alone. This is how a goalkeeper should be. And here the point is not even in his level, but in the ability to enter a state of mad courage. Metsola, for example, also showed such play in his debut season for Salavat. I think CSKA, with their abilities, will try to find such a goalkeeper.
“I can’t believe Galimov will start working miracles at Avangard”
– Will Galimov, who has returned from Finland to Russia, be able to play the role of Avangard’s main goalkeeper after Shimon Grubets?
– In my opinion, Galimov is not a goalkeeper for the tasks set by Avangard. Something tells me that people from Omsk will try to sign with someone else, probably also a foreigner. It is hard to believe that Galimov, at the age of 34, will suddenly begin to work miracles. Yes, Stanislav played well in Finland last season, but it’s easier for goalkeepers to play there than in our country, hockey is easier.
– Will Avangard give Galimov a chance to prove himself and then grow stronger as the season progresses?
“Maybe even earlier – there is still plenty of time until September.
– Why did the people of Omsk not return Bobkov, who was much more familiar to them, to this role?
– For the same reason that Yaroslavl broke up with Pasquale. After all, Avangard voluntarily broke up with Bobkov back then.
– Yes, but they broke up when Grubets was playing very well there.
– If there were no complaints against Bobkov, then regardless of how Grubets played, the club would try to keep him. Maybe he would offer a contract reduction or something. But that was not done.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
