Viktor Fedorov: "Farmers Don't Win Stanley Cups"
by tuvanhillbilly on Dec 18, 2010 12:17 AM EST
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PrintAlways-outspoken Viktor Fedorov, world-renowned Russian coach and father to former Cap Sergei Fedorov, has some frank criticism for the current state of affairs with the Washington Capitals, which he reveals in this interview with Igor Larin of Sport Express. Come on, don't hold back, Viktor. Tell us what you really think.
***
What's going on with Washington? Was our first question to Fedorov senior.
"I've been worried about this team for the last few years. It's one of the few teams in the NHL which play interesting, I would even say, exhilarating hockey. However, right now there is a serious crisis in the Capital's camp which, as far as I can tell, the local press is underestimating and is slowing them down."
What do you see as the crisis in Washington?
"First, they have some management problems. The recruitment and selection policies are poor, and the majority of trades only hurt the team. The second problem, which might be the most important, is the coaching. He (meaning head coach Bruce Boudreau-I.L.) was brought up to the team from somewhere on the farm-and they expect the Stanley Cup out of him. It's a pity that so many people to this day don't understand that you don't win such serious trophies with unprepared amateur specialists."
So how do you account for Washington's improvements in Boudreau's first years there?
"It's very simple: the team was being carried along by the trio of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin. Plus the second line was stable with Sergei Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov. Then these two players left and the experiments began. First, the center Brendan Morrison was brought in to replace Fedorov, but he failed and has been gone from the team for while. Then they started experimenting with Mike Knuble, Tomas Fleischmann, and some other unremarkable players. But nothing worked out: the team has been limping along on second and third lines. I won't even mention the fourth. And even if they can make it through the regular season with only one solid line, they won't be able to do much in the playoffs with that depth."
Has Ovechkin given up on this season?
"I'd never say a single bad word about Ovechkin. He and Semin carry that entire kolhoz. The load on him is huge. Ovechkin is studied and analyzed and the best defensemen are put up against him. That's perhaps one reason for the slight dip in his statistics. Basically it is very difficult for him."
"And one more important point. The team has left the defense of Ovechkin to chance, which seems quite strange. The fighter, King, sits in deep reserve, heavyweight defenseman Erskine doesn't know how to fight, and Bradley is a middleweight that nobody is afraid of. As a result, nobody stands on ceremony with Ovechkin. Did you see what the Ranger, Brandon Dubinsky, recently did, flying into Sasha with his fists? If it had been the North American Sidney Crosby in his place, I have no doubt the entire Pittsburgh team would have flown out on the ice. But it was all peace and quiet..."
Is the forceful defense of the star players really such an important principle?
"And how! Frankly, I'm not sure Sergei Fedorov would have become one of the best players in the league in the nineties without Kocur and Probert on the team during his debut. What a one-of-a-kind pair! Especially Probert, who was probably the best "policeman" in the history of the NHL. I remember how back at the beginning of the nineties many were simply afraid to come to Detroit-it was futile to go up against these guys. In many respects, therefore, my eldest son started out quietly. And this was back in the NHL where the hits were on an order of magnitude greater than they are now. And where the sticks sometimes never dropped below shoulder height."
Did you hear that Probert died a few months ago?
"Yes, he had a hard lot in life. Several times he would get off track, and go in to rehab. But in Detroit they adored him, the players and the fans."
Let's get back to Washington. What is your prognosis: how will the team do this season?
"The humiliating series of defeats will end sooner or later. But with the current alignment of forces in the club, I'm afraid that the Capitals won't be able to do anything in the playoffs. But I will empathize for the team of Ovechkin, Semin and Varlamov. Good luck to these great guys!"
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Yea, can't say I agree with Viktor...
He seems uninformed and cranky. Sheesh.
Thanks for the translation TH!
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THANKS, Tuvanhillbilly.
Didn’t know D’Oh was Feds’ dad, that’s really cool.
Well he probably has sensitive skin, no?
by redlineblue on Dec 18, 2010 12:38 AM EST reply actions 9 recs
He had me through the first couple comments, but suggesting that Kozlov was somehow more of a net positive contributor to the team than Knuble is pretty laughable. Knuble doesn’t play the sort of game that’s appreciated across the pond, so perhaps that’s to blame. Otherwise, that just sounds like blatant homerism.
Also, Dubinsky flying into Ovie? Hardly. From everything I saw on the ice/heard on 24/7, it looked to me like Ovie was itching for a fight and Dubie was kind enough to oblige him. Ovechkin was most definitely the aggressor.
As for the protection angle, I have no doubt that Kocur and Probert were key to Fedorov’s adjustment to North American hockey, but that was 1990-91. It was a different (pre-instigator) league. I still think players see a role/need for guys like King, and as long as that’s the case, I’m fine with them being on the roster. It’s just unfortunate that King is seemingly useless at the other aspects of hockey. Also, Erskine can’t fight? I might not want him doing it (generalized aversion to having defense fight/fear of concussions), but he can definitely throw them when need be.
This game is all about overcoming diversity.
____
The fact that he said a few things we might agree with doesn’t take away from how wrong he is.
Does anyone see anything in this that adds to the conversation? That wasn’t just the classic, stereotypical thing you’d expect from this guy? If you’re agreeing with anything he says, odds are because it’s something that’s easy to say and hard to implement…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 18, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
He directly compared Knuble and Kozlov? Regardless of points, +/-, etc I wouldn’t really compare the two head-to-head.
If you wanted a puck-control guy and came up with a list, Knuble would not be on it.
If you wanted a crease-warrior and came up with a list Kozlov would not be on it.
So I wouldn’t say who is better, I would say who is a better piece to the puzzle for a given teams’ overall need/chemistry.
Knuble and Kozlov affect the chemistry of the team the Capitals put on the ice differently.
(But all things being equal when everyone is playing to form I’d choose Knuble for this team over Kozlov)
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. - Michael Jordan
There are so many facts wrong here, I don’t know where to start.
1. Trades hurting the team. I can think of 2 recent trades that can be considered that way – Corvo and Belanger. Aside from that, the trades in the last 2 seasons have been awesome. Chimera and Walker were both great trades (Walker more so for getting a depth player for virtually nothing than anything else) and the Hannan trade can’t be put either way yet.
2. Coaches brought up from the AHL can’t win Stanley Cups. Mr. Federov, there’s a Mr. Bylsma here to speak with you.
3. Ovie, Backs, and Semin carrying the team. Sure – if you ignore the goalies, the defense, and how much production all the other lines have put out.
4. Defending Ovie. Erskine can’t fight? Really? A number of players would disagree. And I wonder how Hendricks got left off that list. I seem to recall a few fights this season due to hits on Ovie.
There’s a few good points hidden in there, but wow… Viktor comes across as totally ignorant.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I think Viktor Fed overlooked Hendricks since he’s new to the team this year.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
He’s also overlooking the fact that Ovie started the fight with Dubinsky himself, and neither of them dislike each other. Just minor details apparently that don’t fit into Papa Fed’s view, along with the fact Erskine had the best fight so far this season for the team.
What exactly is he looking for out of the fourth line anyway?
3. Ovie, Backs, and Semin carrying the team. Sure – if you ignore the goalies, the defense, and how much production all the other lines have put out.
This was my second-biggest gripe with the comment – there are three players who have “carried the team” over the last several years, and Semin sure as shit isn’t one of them. Maybe in spurts. . .
Seriously, leaving Green out of that list just shows how he thinks about things.
This game is all about overcoming diversity.
Ah, I missed the interstitial ramblings of the elder Fedorov. But, in all fairness, he make a few good points/observations. For someone who seems to be advocating “pretty hockey” he seems to have some realization that the rough and tumble side is necessary.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
So replacing Kozlov with Knuble was where it all went to hell huh. Great analysis there, no Russian bias at all.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
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by Kolzilla on Dec 18, 2010 1:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Translation: “Asshole McPhee wouldn’t sign my son to another contract!”
by Ginga on Dec 18, 2010 1:56 AM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Papa Feds can complain about the coaching and management of the Caps all he wants, but to me this type of arrogance is exactly what is wrong with the Russian national hockey program. Until Russians get over the fantasy that Russians are God’s gift to hockey and their style of play is the one true way to play hockey they will keep getting humiliated in international tournaments.
Release the Mackan!
Yeah, maybe so. Then again it seems to have worked out for Canada.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
Then again it seems to have worked out for Canada.
I think you’re missing the entire neurotic/psychotic breakdown that occurred in Canada post-1998. There was a while there in the late 90s when Canada wasn’t winning any international tournaments and the top draft spots were all going to Czechs, Swedes and Russians.
Hockey Canada had a collective “come to Jesus” moment and changed the entire structure of the organization, from the training of children all the way up through the organization of the Olympic team. They followed the example of European nations to a much greater degree and decided to place more emphasis on practice over games at a younger age.
We can debate til we’re blue in the face whether they actually succeeded in implementing all of their proposed reforms, but the very fact that they were willing to go through them is why they started winning a boatload of championships again. The Russian hockey establishment has never shown the inclination nor ability to go through such changes, which is why they’ve seemingly slipped behind the US and Sweden when it comes to international play.
This game is all about overcoming diversity.
My comment certainly was not meant to belittle Canada nor its accomplishments within the hockey world. On the contrary. It was meant to illustrate the fact that arrogance, overconfidence or hubris need not necessarily lead to defeat. On the Russian side, I think the implosion in terms of their latest defeats run deeper than simple arrogance. Rather, I think it likely a symptom of a more lackadaisical attitude towards the game (as well as other things). Especially combined with said arrogance.
I’ll admit that I have problems with the Canadian arrogance and sense of entitlement in hockey. However, said problems certainly will not keep me from acknowledging the fact that, yes, they are indeed a formidable team and very possible the best in the world, as loath as I am to brandish such titles.
As for the comment that Russia will keep getting humiliated in international tournaments if they fail to adapt, the lousy year they’ve had makes it difficult to remember that they actually won the World Championships two years in a row prior to this unimpressive streak.
Of course, I realise the WC mean approximately jack squat to you North Americans, but it does mean quite a lot for the rest of us across the sea.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
Worked out in Vancouver, but their Olympic record overall still hasn’t been all that great over the years.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
They’ve been pretty good since they started allowing every country to use professionals. 2 gold medals and 2 silver medals in the past 6 Olympics isn’t bad at all. They aren’t too shabby in other international competitions, even when they have 2nd and 3rd tier players on their roster.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 18, 2010 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
Canada may be arrogant about being the best at hockey (although they certainly are able to back it up), but I haven’t seen that Canada is so stubborn in it’s style of play and its roster selections to the point of refusing to change it up even in the face of embarrassment in international competitions.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 18, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
Specifically, they thought they needed those role players, the good ol’ Canadian boys on the team. That’s why Draper got invited to the Olympics. They lost. Team Canada said “fuck it, that was a disaster, we’re taking 4 lines of (mostly) elite players. None of this role player crap.” And it worked. Instead of taking Draper to be a role player, they took Toews, Morrow, and Richards.
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From now on, every answer I give will begin with “And how!”
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by Ben Rothenberg on Dec 18, 2010 6:27 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Quick reminder on what Fedorov’s father’s son thought of Bruce (from Bruce’s book):
We had the traditional end-of-season exit meetings with the players. After meeting with Brooks Laich, he left the room and then poked his head back in.
"Bruce, I wanted to tell you," Brooks said. "Sergei Fedorov said the best two coaches he ever had were you and Scotty Bowman, for instincts behind the bench and stuff."
I don’t know if it’s true. But, boy, it hit me. Being in the same breath with Scotty Bowman in the eyes of Sergei Fedorov. What a moment. For a minor-league guy who had been shot down most of his life, that was pretty incredible.
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Come on, JP, you’re an attorney. Hearsay isn’t admissible as evidence, right? ;-)
"It's always good to have vikings."
In the court of public opinion, anything goes.
And I noticed that even here, Laich qualifies with “for instincts behind the bench and stuff” (which presumably doesn’t include tactics and a host of other things that make great coaches great coaches).
Still, the elder Feds should shut his piehole.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So according to Papa Fedorov, a great team would have the following makeup:
Forwards:
6 noble and skilled Russian Warriors up front doing double shifts
6 stupid and brutish Americans and Canadian boys to get bloody in service to their Russian betters
Defensemen:
4 noble and skilled Russian defensemen to control each game, also doing double shifts
2 American or Canadian thugs to come of the bench to get bloodied in the service of their Russian betters
1 angelic Russian goalie, because they never give up any goals that are not the fault of stupid and brutish American and Canadian skaters
1 American or Canadian goalie to watch from the bench and see what he lacks as a goalie and a human being on a nightly basis
1 Russian coach to keep the nasty and brutish Americans and Canadians in line and keep them from rubbing off on the noble Russian players.
;)
Where did the quote in your headline come from?
It doesn’t appear in the transcription provided. If it’s something you’ve paraphrased, no offence, but it seems like a pretty irresponsible example of paraphrasing.
by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 18, 2010 11:07 AM EST reply actions
Typically with these Russian interviews the paper uses a paraphrase of a quote from the article as its headline – the headline here is Sport-Express’s translated, not ours (happy to be corrected if I’m wrong).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Orrlov – you can read the original. Is Tuvan’s title for this post a fair translation of the Sport-Express article’s title?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Fair, and, in fact, unequivocally precise. Larin paraphrased Feds Sr for the headline, and Tuvan translated it perfectly.
But it really does look slightly more insulting in English. The reference here, of course, is to the AHL being a “farm system” for the NHL. Although, I have seen numerous references in Russian media to BB “peasant-like” looks!
Ahhh, thanks for that. I figured that was the error.
by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 18, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
(And actually, I don’t know that it’s a paraphrase from the article and not a verbatim quote that wasn’t used in the article. But I do know that it isn’t Tuvan paraphrasing.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Fair enough; the irresponsibility likely lies with the newspaper, then. Would the comment that Boudreau’s a “farmer” have to do with the colloquial term for a minor-league affiliate being a farm team? Because as far as I know, Boudreau was never a farmer.
by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 18, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, definitely – VikFed sees Bruce as nothing more than a farm team coach.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
http://www.japersrink.com/2010/4/13/1418403/slava-malamud-with-ovechkin-and
Just to be fair, the more literal parallel between Bruce and farming is not an uncommon thread for Sport Express – including Slava:
http://www.japersrink.com/2010/4/13/1418403/slava-malamud-with-ovechkin-and
When I relayed these words to Boudreau, he frightfully stepped back, and on his honest face of a collective farm chairman appeared an expression that may be called “The sow gave birth to… WHAT?!”
A bit of context for this interview. First, Igor Larin, Sport Express resident chauvinist standard bearer… Just as a recent example of his writing: as a condition for allowing the NHL to bring a regular season game to Russia, wants to have SKA play Avangard in New York.
And when Larin needs a good quote, no better source than daddy Feds… here is a journalistic “pearl” from about 1.5 years ago: http://hockey.sport-express.ru/reviews/1258/ – yep, BB and GM definitely conspired to marginalize Feds and Kozy’s during 08-09 season so they wouldn’t get the contracts they otherwise deserved!
by Orrlov on Dec 18, 2010 11:08 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
At little pull-no-punches perspective from a world-renowned Russian coach who’s likely been watching the Caps since Semin and AO were drafted, and most of you pretty much piss on it.
Only time will tell if he’s right, but so far this season 8, 19, and 28 are pretty much carrying the team again.
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
A little pull-no-punches perspective from people reviewing translated comments from a famously overbearing coach and you pretty much piss on it.
Neuvirth carried the team in October and they’ve been largely unremarkable since then, Semin’s scoring streak notwithstanding.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 18, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
Vyacheslav Bykov is a world renowned Russian coach.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 18, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t call him world world-renowned, TH did.
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
I’m not disputing that he’s world renowned (although I may be willing to). I’m just saying that being a world renowned Russian coach doesn’t make you a great hockey mind. See Bykov.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 18, 2010 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
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