The head coach “Locomotive » Igor Nikitin explained what the attacker Alexander Radulov Can I help you.
Last season, 37-year-old Radulov played for Ak Bars and scored 40 (16+24) points in 58 KHL regular season games, adding 4 (1+3) points in four playoff games. The Kazan club was eliminated in the first round of the Gagarin Cup, losing to Avtomobilist (1-4). On Thursday, Lokomotiv announced that Radulov had signed a one-year contract with the Yaroslavl club.
— It’s nice to see people like Alexander Radulov joining Lokomotiv. How did you react to this?
– Well how? You understand that this transition did not happen without my participation. I have known Sanya for a long time, we have worked together and have always had a personal relationship. We met him and talked. They said we wanted to see from him how he could help Lokomotiv and how the team could help him. Yes, there is a common history here. I hope this works.
— Tell me, how will Radulov help you? And how are you going to help him?
– Mastery – definitely. The thirst for victory, which has always characterized Sanya, his work ethic… And I know how he trains. Of course, energy. And I’m not just talking about hockey, but also just about human emotions that can drive the game. I think we need all of that. I can’t say directly that we missed it. But there are only a few players like Radulov in our league.
At the same time, and we discussed it together, I think that Sanya must remain himself, of course, but be one of the enigmas of Lokomotiv. Because our team has grown, many guys are already in leadership positions. And they will have a good example before them.
On the other hand, our guys are quite independent. They have already proven themselves to be a driving force as well. And that can be an important factor. Because Sanka will soon be 38 years old. With all due respect, you can’t fool physiology. Therefore, we need a mutually beneficial process: Sanya and the team must be inseparable, in one bond,” Nikitin said in an interview with .
Previously, Radulov played in Russia for CSKA and Salavat Yulaev Ufa, and also played in the NHL for Nashville, Montreal and Dallas. As a member of the Russian national team, he became a two-time world champion.
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Source : MatchTV
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