I spoke with Vasily at the 3 × 3 tournament, which was held in Balashikha. But after that, Vancouver signed another Russian striker – Ilya Mikheev signed a four-year contract for 19 million dollars.
But Andrey Kuzmenko also joined the team. By the way, they say the Canucks’ first tie could look like this: Kuzmenko – Elias Pettersson – Mikheev.
Let’s see how it will be. Well, in the meantime, we are talking with Podkolzin.
“NHL 3×3 tournament would have been won by Colorado”
Do Vancouver fans recognize you?
– It happens. Suitable, especially if after the game you went to dinner somewhere.
But Russian fans are not the same as in Canada. Maybe I haven’t figured out all the Canucks fans for another year. But somehow we have everything with a soul, everything belongs to us and is dear to us. I am very happy to chat in Russian with everyone. And there are superfans in terms of hockey. Just sick of this topic in a good way.
– If you take the 32 NHL clubs and organize a 3×3 tournament between them, who will win?
– If you count this season, Colorado is the best skater. I’m talking about the speed of the game. I would also call it Vegas.
“Not Edmonton, where are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl?”
– Good question. Maybe… But if you choose, I wouldn’t bet on Edmonton.
Do you believe that 3×3 hockey will conquer the world in a few years? Especially when it enters the Olympic program.
– It seems so. But it’s a completely different game. This is not 5×5 hockey. Different tactic, different preparation.
– Did you communicate with Vancouver before signing a contract with Andrey Kuzmenko? The opinion of the Russian hockey player could be interesting.
– When we finished the AHL playoffs, I flew to Vancouver. I had three days to finish my business, to pack my things. I went to dinner with my wife and the team owner, general manager and someone else were seated at the next table. I approached them and said hello. They ask me, “What can you tell us about Kuzmenko?” Do you think he can help us?”
I replied that it would certainly help. After that, Kuzey and I phoned and talked. That’s it – and he’s in Vancouver.
What brought him to the Canucks? He chose from a bunch of league clubs.
– Clinging attitude towards him. He said that all the club leaders came to see him, while they were on vacation. A very good city, which is also important.
You are right about the relationship. In a situation like yours, when a young person doesn’t have glasses, he can be sent to an agricultural club. But you were put at the base in Vancouver.
“Thank you for trusting me. You could say I got over it. I’m okay with that.
– What is special about head coach Bruce Boudreau?
– He has an individual approach for everyone. A very smart trainer. He understands your condition. At the same time, he is always ready to communicate.
This may not always be the case in Russia. Even though it was in SKA, I could also go up to anyone and talk. But Boudreau literally demands, “If you have any questions, no matter what, be sure to come to my office and talk.” I understand that you are in your first season. That’s why I’m always ready to help.”
Did Boudreau tell you about Ovechkin, with whom he worked in the 2000s in Washington?
– Yes. In those years, Alexander was young. And so Bruce told how Ovechkin worked, what he did. Even now, when Vancouver plays Washington, Boudreau and Ovechkin greet each other at rehearsal. They have a very good relationship.
“I believe Kuzmenko will shoot”
Where is the best place to live in Vancouver? Where to choose an apartment for a beginner?
“I live in the Canucks arena.
– In terms of?
– There is an arena, a skyscraper stands right next to it. There are apartments and I live there. He went down to the ground floor – and already in the locker room. For the first seasons in the NHL – simply great!
– Is there a small one?
– Two bedrooms, a small hall. Regular apartment.
– How much is the rent?
– Per month – 2300 Canadian dollars.
– 103 thousand rubles at the exchange rate. Not that expensive by North American standards.
– Very well. But I think the club has advantages. Because the apartment belongs to the Vancouver landlord.
– Kuzmenko will move there?
– I think so.
– Too bad he can’t qualify for the Calder Trophy – already 26 years ago. But can he shoot?
– I think he’s gonna shoot.
– Arguments of those against: “Kuzmenko is lazy, does not work well in defense, he has no speed.” What will you say to the critics?
– Kuzmenko in Vancouver will tell you what to do. And he will. And where will he go? He came to play in the NHL and will try. I’m sure everything will be fine.
– And to whom can Kuzmenko be ranked in the top three?
‘While it’s hard to say. We’ll have to see what happens in training camp. And it remains to be seen how the roster will change when Vancouver drops below the salary cap.
Kuzya plays on the left. And there are usually right-handed games on the right. We don’t know how it will be. I am interested.
“Makar – it’s like he grew up in a test tube”
Vancouver games last season were postponed due to the pandemic. They were thrown out at the end of the championship, you had a very tight schedule. If not for this, could the team advance to the playoffs?
“I think it had a big impact on our performance. We were only five points away from making the playoffs. But the season is over, and now I understand how valuable it is to make the playoffs. How important it is for the team and for everyone. It is more precious than all personal rewards, more precious than anything. It’s the most exciting.
What’s unique about Colorado’s Cale Makar, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP? He has even been compared to Bobby Orr.
– He’s just a beast. I played against Makar. The arms, legs and head are so cool there it’s like a guy was raised in a test tube. It was as if he had been raised exclusively for hockey. It’s nice to see him play. In his freshman year, Makar won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. In the second, he was a Norris Trophy runner-up. In third, he won this award for best defenseman, as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup. And that at 23!
Cale is very cool. Misha Maltsev played in Colorado, talked about him. He sees it in the system. Even in training, Makar always does his best, shows his class.
– When did you think that Igor Shesterkin could win the Vézina Trophy awarded to the league’s best goaltender?
“I immediately understood what it could be. Already in February it was clear. Shesterkin played very well!
And also, when we played together at SKA, it was clear to me that Igor would become a very good goaltender in the NHL. No one doubted it at all. I’ve always loved Shesterkin. Yes, he is not as tall as Andrey Vasilevsky. But look how Igor spent the season. I think he has been better this season.
– Why is it so difficult for Shesterkin to score?
– You go to its gates – and you don’t see any free holes. I don’t know, I’m not a goalkeeper, you should ask Lekha Melnichuk. But the Guardians sort of pick the moment. And when you already have to stop, it’s as if there was nowhere.
– Shesterkin – like a spider?
– Something like that. And more throwing is not for accuracy, but for luck. Lucky or not. But I scored against him at the start of the season, when we played in Vancouver on November 2.
“And what did you tell him?”
“I didn’t tell him anything. And after the match, we laughed a little. But I’m very happy for Igor, really. Six is beautiful. He deserved!
“They didn’t assign me a bodyguard”
– Igor Larionov as head coach will make his debut in the KHL. What can he achieve without the most powerful torpedo in Nizhny Novgorod? Headquarters there as in the youth team, where you were the captain.
– I think everything will be fine with Torpedo. Larionov will bring a new style of fast hockey, consistent puck control. The fact that we didn’t do a bit at the World Junior Championships in 2021.
I’m sure that in “Torpedo” it will work. I really like this trainer. I look at the club headquarters – there are very good specialists, I worked with everyone. Therefore, I can’t say anything bad at all. I just wish you good luck.
Have you had your freshman dinner yet?
— Yes, it happened when we came to leave for Nashville.
– What did you do?
“Our Swede Niels Haeglander sang a song and I was told to toast. I pushed the Russian toast, but in English. Everyone clapped and congratulated me: ‘It’s cutest toast we’ve heard in a while!”
How much did the table cost you? Did you pay for two?
– For four. There were two older guys who had never gone through the novice rite before. We paid, it seems, six thousand dollars.
– It’s good that you didn’t walk like in Boston.
– Yes, I remember that check on the Internet, when the guys, after winning the Stanley Cup, walked for 156 thousand dollars. But in Vancouver, it was light.
– Were you somehow shielded from the pressure at the club when the international situation deteriorated after February 24? Over one million Ukrainians live in Canada, or 4% of the population.
“The bodyguard has not been assigned to me. The only thing is that the security guards who travel with Vancouver came. They said this: “If there are problems, talk about them right away.” And so I didn’t notice anything at all. Yes, the guys on the team on day one asked what happened. I replied that I didn’t know much. One way or another, it all ended there.
Then the older guys got interested, “How’s your family doing there?” I replied that so far everything is fine. So I have support in Vancouver, and that helps.
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.
