1. Can Alexander Ovechkin score 50 goals this season? Or is it difficult at 38?
— Everything is in Ovechkin’s hands. Even Wayne Gretzky himself is in his hands. The Great One, as a man with a big heart and a hockey soul, will be very happy if Ovi breaks his sniper record. Gretzky has already stated that he will fly after Sasha in his decisive matches, even though the record is very close.
If there are no injuries, Ovechkin will be able to score 50 goals and will soon break Gretzky’s record. I understand that 38 is no longer a boy. But sport is not just a game on the field, but, in principle, a struggle, including against natural aging. Sport is a fight for life. And it must receive the greatest attention.
Ovechkin is a professional, he has to get through this. But there is no doubt that partners must help. The support from the team, from Washington, Moscow, the Kremlin and the White House, is significant – and from two White Houses at once, on both sides of the Atlantic.
2. Kirill Kaprizov was named Minnesota’s alternate captain. Will such responsibility put pressure on him?
— Kirill Kaprizov grows up, Kirill Kaprizov matures. He is respected by his teammates, he is a brilliant hockey player and a leader by nature. And if a year from now he becomes captain of Minnesota, not only will I not be surprised, but I will applaud him in every way possible. Kaprizov is one of my most admired hockey players. Capricious, I love you!
Yes, Kirill did not come to Russia this summer. But it’s his choice. If he wants, he comes, if he wants, he doesn’t come. What should I do now, love him less? We correspond. And above all I applaud him. I send messages from the series: “How are you? You are the greatest player in the world. ” In other words, “Kiryukha, there is no one in the world better than you!” »
I dare to think that we still have great respect for each other. I hope Kaprizov still loves me a little. Doesn’t always respond, makes his star status known. But overall, he’s a good guy.
3. At 35, Sergei Bobrovsky is already singing his swan song?
– Of course not! He also led Florida to the Stanley Cup Final this summer. Sergei is such an athlete that he can play until he is at least 40 years old. He will certainly be able to perform at a high level for several years. Of course, he didn’t say the last word. I really hope that Bobrovsky will still compete for the Stanley Cup and hold it in his hands.
Sergey is a great guy to hang out at sunset in Florida and meditate in lotus position. They told me about it. If I were him, I would do the same. In general, he is a smart guy and has a philosophical approach to life. And sporting longevity is not just about the muscles and the circulatory system. It is also a mentality, a spirit. And Bobrovsky has everything to play for a long time. And after your hockey career, you can stream video classes “Yoga with Sergei Bobrovsky, Stanley Cup winner and one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.” I also sat with him in the lotus position.
4. Mikhail Sergachev has visited all online platforms in recent years, strengthening his personal brand. Does this mean even Guberniev has heard of the young Tampa defender?
— I knew before that Mikhail Sergachev was a very good hockey player. And if he likes going to interviews, if he likes to declare himself and express his position, why not? In general, I like smart people and we need more hockey players like that. You should not overuse interviews by appearing everywhere in vain.
For me, the example of an intelligent hockey player is Igor Larionov. I look at him and understand that I miss such people. There should be more! And coaches, players and hockey personalities. Larionov is a personality! That says it all. And when Sergachev achieves such ideals, as I dare to think, it’s great!
5. Artemi Panarin shaved his head to ward off evil spirits so his Rangers could start winning again. Will this help?
– I think he’s a hypocrite. Maybe Panarin decided to radically change his image for the same reason old-wave rockers do? When they were young, they walked around with hair. And with age, the curls are no longer so healthy, and people shave their heads, shaking their heads to the heavy metal without hair. Maybe the dog is buried here?
And I completely understand Panarin switching to a push-button telephone. If you don’t know, I have two phones. One is the smartphone I’m talking on. And the other is a Nokia push button. I never left her! Why do I need two smartphones? Even the casing of the old Nokia came loose. Give me some glue and we’ll glue it together.
At the same time, I do not support Panarin who has disconnected from social networks. No need to be an old grandfather! We must live in the 21st century. I’m suspicious of people who don’t allow their children to use gadgets. Here we have to limit. But strictly ban? I don’t know if this is correct.
6. Andrei Vasilevsky underwent back surgery. Will he manage to regain his level?
— The back is the main thing for everyone, not just for goalkeepers who play in position. I wish Vasilevsky all the best. He is beautiful and magnificent, he is in my heart. Sometimes his talent even blows up Bobrovsky, and that’s not easy, knowing my love for Sergei.
An excellent goalkeeper, and when I see Vasilevsky, I always want to sing the everlasting hit “Bravo”: “Of course, Vasya! And I exclaim: “Forward, Vasya! Press, Vasya!
7. According to many ratings, Nikita Kucherov is the best Russian in the NHL. At the same time, he avoids journalists by all means and does not give interviews. Maybe communication with the press is not necessary?
“It seems to me that Kucherov is somewhat impoverished, as are the people around him. Let him take the example of Sergachev. Hockey players play not for themselves, but for people. And sending journalists to hell means refusing to communicate through them with your fans.
We also have angry athletes in biathlon. For example, Evgeny Garanichev does not communicate with on principle. But I love him even more for that. Because if he starts communicating, we will be in shock.
8. Dmitry Voronkov left for the NHL, having weighed up to 108 kg, and he was sent to a farm club. Will a new Russian star appear in Columbus?
— It seems to me that gaining weight up to 108 kg for a hockey player, and not for a tough guy, is not entirely professional. You must know the team’s requirements regarding your physical condition. Give Voronkov free rein, he could swing up to 118 kg. And go straight to the Mr. Olympia competition, playing with your biceps and challenging your calves. But what does this have to do with hockey? So you have to keep an eye on your physical form, and this applies to everyone, not just Voronkov!
9. Evgeni Malkin is 29 goals away from becoming the second Russian in NHL history to score 500 career goals. Will he manage to reach this milestone?
“There’s no doubt he will.” Zhenya is still one of my favorite hockey players. We are also in contact. A wonderful wife, my friend Anna Kasterova. His Nikita is growing. So Malkin, go for it!
I keep an eye on him. If Ovechkin is a pronounced soloist, then Malkin can do it all: sing, play the piano, carry the piano and take chestnuts out of the fire with his bare hands. Malkin is an invaluable team player. This is why Zhenya is so respected in the hockey community and by me personally. And he doesn’t need to look for motivation over the years. This is how to motivate myself to comment well on the biathlon! Malkin is such a pro that this motivation is in his blood. He wants to leave his mark on hockey. And he will score these 29 goals, don’t even doubt it.
10. Valery Nichushkin won the Stanley Cup, signed a big new contract with Colorado – but made history when he was caught with an outside woman in a hotel, he was suspended from the playoffs. Will Valera be able to play for Another avalanche after the scandal?
— Nichushkin must not forget that Rousseau, as a hockey player, is the face of morality. Because when you meet a stranger in a hotel, you should respond: “Sorry, signora, madam, frau, mademoiselle, but morality comes first.” Fershtein?
This is very important for a person exercising a public profession, especially abroad. So let Valéry watch “The Diamond Arm”, the priceless creation of Leonid Gaidai. All the solutions to his problems are there.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
