Arturs Irbe: "They Need to Take A Young Guy for the Number 3 Spot in Vancouver"

by tuvanhillbilly on Dec 8, 2009 9:54 PM EST in Translations Comment 13 comments

How did I miss this? Not sure of the exact publication date, but sometime in the last week Slava Malamud over at Sport Express caught up with Washington Capitals goaltender coach Arturs Irbe and got his opinion on the goaltending situation in Vancouver.

The forthcoming Olympic Games might become historic for several reasons. It will be the first played on a North-American-sized rink and it is entirely possible that it will be the last one with the participation of players from the NHL. Also, for the first time in many years, it may present us with a finale featuring the strongest combination of players from Team Russian and Team Canada. And there is yet another milestone: it is entirely possible that Russia will come to Vancouver with the strongest goaltending brigade in the tournament.

Protecting the net wasn't a matter of paramount importance when Russian players were wearing CCCP on their chest, nor has it been in the post-Soviet era. The national style was a brilliant display of attacks and combinations, while the last line was paid far less attention. At best the position was entrusted to someone with unique natural talent. Now, however, Russia has four main goaltenders in the NHL and they are all in excellent shape. Can it really be that the last line of our national team will be our advantage over Canada, where we've always thought that great goaltenders grow on trees? And which among them can become the unexpected hero of the Games? Our expert Arturs Irbe answers these questions for Sport-Express.

Do you agree that Russia will have the best goaltender brigade at the Olympic Games?

"I think that's a little bit exaggerated. Although, perhaps, it is closer to the truth than it has ever been before. Especially in light of the fact that in recent years European and Canadian hockey have, in fact, merged. Russia has a very good selection. I'm sure this is a really nice problem for Slava Bykov."

And if this was your problem-whom would you choose as your number one?

"I don't think I have any right to talk about this. For sure someone would be offended or accuse me of having a bias. It's better that I refrain from answering."

Well, what if you could only choose between Bryzgalov or Nabokov, the winners of the last two World Championships?

"I could say that you need both of them to play in Vancouver. The tournament is very short, with a really difficult schedule, so you need to use two goaltenders. My experience has shown me that professionals in the Olympic Games can sometimes be knocked off their usual groove. The unusual practice and game schedules, always being in the same place, always being under scrutiny, the long waits.... and goaltenders are used to preparing according to a normal schedule, smooth and predictable."

You've said that the North American and European styles have blended together. Does this also apply to goaltenders?

Yeah, the goaltending schools are also, shall we say, hybridized. Europeans have learned something from the North Americans and vice-versa. It's really meaningless to contrast the two hockey schools now. The best goalies in the NHL are now using a mixed style. In the 90's when they were just getting used to the Europeans, the situation was different. Hasek made his way first, then me and Tommy Salo. We didn't play like the Canadians, and they didn't quite trust us. But now there's really no difference."

What can you say about Canadian goaltenders?

"The Canadians, just like everyone else, has to select their first pair. The third goalie is basically needed for emergency situations. It doesn't make sense to dress him for games, and you really can't have a normal practice with three goaltenders. As for the first pair, in any case Martin Brodeur deserves to be there. For second place you need to pick someone who can play at the NHL level. And for third place it makes sense to choose one of the young guys, like Fleury, Mason, or Price. They will be happy just to be there at the Olympics, and they won't spoil the atmosphere in the dressing room if they don't play. I think it makes sense to do the same thing with the other teams, including Russia."

Sometimes it's not the best team that wins the Olympics, but the best goaltender. In Nagano the Czechs were far from the best team, but they won because they had a superman in net, and one who was at his peak-Hasek. Who's going to be the Hasek this time?

"I agree, the Czechs weren't the strongest team but won because of a great goaltender. Who can become the next Hasek? Well, you've got Ryan Miller on team USA, for example, but personally I would pay attention to the Swedes and the Finns. The Finns have never won Olympic gold, and now they have a have whole host of distinguished goaltenders. It's like they [have an assembly line and] are just stamping them out. So I'm going to choose them as the dark horse.

By the way, is the Finnish school noticeable in your young ward, Semyon Varlamov? How does it show itself most often?

"Yeah, it's noticeable, but just a little. He's only been working with a Finnish coach for the last two years. The main features of the Finnish school are brilliantly delivered technique, skating, and movements. Finnish goaltenders are very economical and refined in their movements; they don't have any unnecessary hand movements, they always set up at the correct angle from the very first movement, without any extra steps, and they are always in the correct position."

But with Varlamov there's an impression that sometimes he saves himself with his athleticism and flexibility.

"Well, that's just a sign of youth."

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Comments

If Varly makes it, good for him. Even though he’ll probably be riding the pine.

That being said, if Varly’s gone, what about Theo? Will he be capable of taking over full-time goalie duties – even if he’s (hopefully not) on a cold streak?

There will be a Яeckoning for the wЯecking ball

by Steck It Out on Dec 8, 2009 10:06 PM EST reply actions

NHL doesn’t play during the Olympics.

A man gotta have a code

by CP2Devil on Dec 8, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yea, because if Varly goes because of the Olympics, you know for sure Ovie and Semin will follow for team Russia.

They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.

by Bman21212 on Dec 8, 2009 10:37 PM EST up reply actions

Oy…these finals are taking my brainpower away.

If I make a few dumb statements within the next few days, blame my finals.

There will be a Яeckoning for the wЯecking ball

by Steck It Out on Dec 9, 2009 1:44 AM EST up reply actions

A sign of youth is a good thing in some ways

by washfan29 on Dec 8, 2009 10:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions

by lolCaps-project on Dec 8, 2009 10:25 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

More Irbe interviews pleez.

Irbe Irbe!

ALEX, FЯEE

by EmilyB on Dec 8, 2009 11:26 PM EST reply actions

an underrated reason for caps' goaltending improvement

i believe is Irbe, and reading this interview and his reasoned answers makes me happy he’s on the staff. Cheers for Arturs!

by DonnieKnutts on Dec 9, 2009 10:10 AM EST reply actions

I see that Mr. Leonsis just linked this post!

by HeartbreakRidge on Dec 9, 2009 3:25 PM EST reply actions

Latvia could certainly use Archie to strap on those old pads of his …

I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!

by Scotty Hockey on Dec 10, 2009 1:39 AM EST reply actions

Oh man. You have to check out my fanpost. You’ll love it. At least, part of it. I’m all aboard your bandwagon. Full steam ahead.

You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.

by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

Tuvanhillbilly,
I’ve posted a link to your blog at a friend’s Finnish site. His response was :

Irbe seems to have his facts quite correct for on ice part, but should also mention the huge amount of work and methods also done off ice in the Finnish system:
-Jukka Ropponen

Perhaps you can mention that the next time you are knocking down a Molson with Arturs. :}

by cubanpuckstopper on Dec 10, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Oh, would that I had ever hoisted a few with Arturs.:) I have to clarify that Slava Malamud was the lucky one, you might say I’m just the messenger on this. I will pass this on to Slava, however, and let him forward it to Irbe. Thanks much CPS for getting that in front of Jukka and getting his response! The readers here at the rink never cease to amaze me!

"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"

by tuvanhillbilly on Dec 11, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

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