Team Russia's "Man In Washington" is... Jose Theodore?

by tuvanhillbilly on Apr 10, 2010 8:01 PM EDT in Translations

Former San Jose Shark heavyweight Andrei Nazarov was recently in the states on an East-Coast scouting trip on behalf of Team Russia. In addition to his regular gig as head coach of Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL, Andrei is also a coach for Team Russia, which is gearing up for the IIHF World Championship in May. Andrei's job was to scout out which Russian NHL players had the potential for playing for Team Russia in the World Championship.

Upon returning to Chelyabinsk, Sport-Express caught up with him to get his impressions of the NHL teams he saw. While in the states he visited New York, Newark, Raleigh, Pittsburgh and Washington, and had the following to say when asked about the chances of any Russian Caps players making it to the World Championship: (for additional reading, "Fear The Fin", our SBNation counterpart for the San Jose Sharks, recently ran a nifty little "Where are they now" article on the former акула).

***

-You ended your trip in Washington.

"Now there is where they play some Russian hockey! Washington came alive during the second half of the season, when the Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin line basically never left the ice. The guys were having fun, and there isn't another line as brilliant as them in the NHL today! I don't know how opponents in the playoffs can contain that line."

-So the Team Russia coaches aren't really counting on any Russian players in Washington since they're going to go really deep into the playoffs?

"Washington's offense is incomparable. But nevertheless I think we have our guy on the team who can help out. (smiles)"

-Don't keep it a secret-who is this guy?

"With all due respect to my former San Jose teammate and current Washington goaltending coach, I would tell Arturs Irbe that his protégé Jose Theodore is capable of helping out Team Russian."

-So Theodore is a weak goaltender?

"I'm sorry, but I've really said more than I should have."

-Is Semyon Varlamov stronger than Theodor?

"Varlamov is the goaltender of the future for Team Russia. The second season for a young player is always the most difficult, but Semyon has coped exceedingly well with all of the difficulties."

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I would think he means Theodore has been playing so well they hope they can borrow Varly for the IIHF tourny since he won’t be needed in Washington. At least that’s how I read it.

Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."

by breaklance on Apr 10, 2010 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

That would make sense, but we’d never lend Varly out in the playoffs. We want our top team there, and Bruce will probably swap the two in games in the playoffs.

I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!

by Bman21212 on Apr 10, 2010 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

While I see how you it could be read that way, I unfortunately see it as more as a rip on Jose, ie. we have an awesome offensive line but the goaltending is going to free up some Russian players by mid-May. I could be wrong, but that’s how I read it.

"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"

by tuvanhillbilly on Apr 10, 2010 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with Tuvan. I felt it was definitely a rip on Theodore.

by HobbesLionheart on Apr 10, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope that the goal tending situation will not be the thing that prevents the Caps from going deep (and helping Team Russia).

Even so, our guys would NOT be helping Team Russia unless they lose in Round 1 of the playoffs. Does Nazarov have that much confidence in the playoffs’ 8th seed of the Eastern Conference?

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 10, 2010 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Which is SBD….

by stevie LL on Apr 10, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

FAIL

Still to be determined…

by stevie LL on Apr 10, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

It will be either Montreal or the Rags.

Does Nazarov have that much confidence in either of those two teams?

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 10, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, his consolation prize would be Markov (not too bad) or… er… Anisimov?

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Sound good. He may get them both.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 10, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

He can already have Anisimov since the Rangers are eliminated.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 11, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

This is definitely how I read it.

by Yoshietree on Apr 10, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

This is how I read it as well.

Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.

by caps123 on Apr 10, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

You have more experience with Russians, but the one I work
with constantly amazes me with his depth and cunning.
Very skillful at mind games.

by stevie LL on Apr 10, 2010 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree it’s yet another rip on Theo – but I predict that Theo will be skating around the ice holding the Cup with Ovie when it’s all said and done – if the Caps do win it.

by markbona-capsfan99 on Apr 10, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yep.

You had me at no problem.

by Ninjak on Apr 10, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps Malkin will be free this time ’round…which would mean Sid would be free as well. Aieeee!

Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.

by EmilyB on Apr 10, 2010 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Not to belittle the World Championships, but for NHL players, I think the World Championships is kind of the consolation bracket of the regular season and playoffs. It’s nice to win the consolation bracket, but you would rather be hoisting a trophy in June as opposed to May.

by HobbesLionheart on Apr 10, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Essentially the NIT.

by Yoshietree on Apr 10, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 10, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

A-ha, now this:

http://www.japersrink.com/2010/4/8/1410016/jose-theodore-perseverance#34165522

makes a bit more sense to me, especially “paging Tuvanhillbilly” line!

I guess I “outhillbillied” the original one!

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

You sure did! Truth be told I never saw that first post of yours, Orrlov— there are waaaaay too many comments on any given day for me to be able to read even a fraction of them, so I am sorry I missed it, but you were indeed first on that— tell me, do you read it the same way as I do, as a slam on Jose?
Oh, and the good thing is it is hard to be surprised by Tuvans coming to your door, because you can hear the throat singing a mile away :)

"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"

by tuvanhillbilly on Apr 10, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh no-no-no, no need to apologize – I found the whole thing to be absolutely hilarious! And I hope it does not look like I am breaking your rice bowl ;-)

Never met any real Tuvans, Tomsk was as far East as I ever got!

As far as Nazy’s rant, it’s probably nothing more than just an awkward attempt at stealing some limelight. I mean, the man doesn’t really appear to be a particularly intelligent and thoughtful conversationalist…

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Although, like I mentioned below, given his take on Theo/steroids, maybe those two have some kind of history that we don’t know about

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

What was his take on Theo/steroids?

I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!

by Bman21212 on Apr 10, 2010 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

here is one writeup:
http://beanballinc.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah thanks. Yea that does seem pretty trashy. Sounds like he’ll say anything to sell.

I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!

by Bman21212 on Apr 10, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

This is actually interesting…

http://hockey.sport-express.ru/reviews/4824/

A few days earlier Slava interviewed him @VC, and Nazy comes off very reasonable, humble and, in fact, rather complimentary of NHL… then, he flies across the ocean, gives another interview to a SE writer in Moscow, and it looks like an eclectic mix of sour grapes and buffoonery.

This man sure knows how to adapt to a change in habitat!

by Orrlov on Apr 11, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I have noticed that many Russians say one thing for North American consumption then turn around and say something else to the Russian media. One of the things I strongly dislike. It comes of as shady and duplicitous to me.

(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)

by oldemystix on Apr 11, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

BTW, you’all remember when Nasty Naz went back to Russia. he accused NHL of ignoring the rampant steroid problem. Basically, he said every enforcer is on ’roids, and everybody takes Sudafed.

His “exhibit A”? That whole Theo/Propecia saga.

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

F Nazarov. He should worry more about team Russia coaching. Bryz will be their goalie.

Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...

by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 10, 2010 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

I take it, you don’t have faith in Phoenix making it past Round 1 this year.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Apr 11, 2010 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions

“Now there is where they play some Russian hockey! Washington came alive during the second half of the season, when the Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin line basically never left the ice. The guys were having fun, and there isn’t another line as brilliant as them in the NHL today! I don’t know how opponents in the playoffs can contain that line.”

How recently was he in the US? The first line this season was usually Ovi-Backstrom-Knuble.

by miseenjeu on Apr 10, 2010 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Actually, Nazy did not say “second half of the season” – he just said “second half”; seemingly, he was referring to the second half of the only Cap’s game that he had seen – seems to be the game against the Sens, where (I think) BB did put that line back together in the second period after falling behind 3:1.

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Neither interpretation would make his statement make sense though. In the OTT game, BB actually started off with the 8/19/28 line, then reverted back to the 8/19/22 line midway through the 3rd. The shift chart is in the recap thread (http://www.japersrink.com/2010/3/30/1397541/recap-senators-5-caps-4-ot)

by vzotsky on Apr 10, 2010 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but look at his picture (at the top of the linked SE page) – he probably spend the first period at Dewars ;-)

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

OK, I was not that far off with my guess about Dewars…

http://hockey.sport-express.ru/reviews/4824/

Slava interviewed him at VC during Sens game – while Nazarov was enjoying “pork barbeque” at food place Slava is referring to as VC’s “пресс-буфет” (literally, press-buffet – no idea what the actual name of the place is)

by Orrlov on Apr 11, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

the numbers

That’s using “Usually” pretty loosely, as the numbers are close, but regardless, they definitely weren’t inseparable. The first two charts here are even strength only, 3rd is all strengths.

Data from Dobbers

by vzotsky on Apr 10, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Russia really needs to hire a non-Russian coach for their national team

It seems everyone over there is completely incapable of both coaching and analyzing the game.

by CaStauch on Apr 10, 2010 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

You are right – they would have been much better off with a foreign coach.

Although I know of at least one Russian who would probably do a good job… Professor – but he is too smart to take it even if they offer it to him.

http://olympiada.sport-express.ru/2010/reviews/4188 (Larionov interview)

Ошибка наших тренеров заключается в том, что они знали о хоккее НХЛ только заочно, ориентировались на свои же успехи, достигнутые на чемпионатах мира. Это путь в никуда.

The mistake of our coaches is that their NHL knowledge is not first hand, they only have their own accomplishments at the Worlds as their point of reference. That is a road to nowhere.

by Orrlov on Apr 10, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t read into it too much; I didn’t see it as a rip, so much as a playful assertion that Varlamov is the goalie of Russia’s future. Its really just a fluff piece, and he was just being fluffy. No big deal.
Besides, it doesn’t caer what he says or thinks. Theo, for all the words against him, has played outstanding, no ifs ands or buts. He’s the #1 and deserves to be… until he gets pulled. Ce la vie.

by The Jade Donkey on Apr 10, 2010 10:05 PM EDT reply actions

Funny isn’t it that when someone says “With all due respect” that they really mean the exact opposite.

by b.orr4 on Apr 10, 2010 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

With all due respect, I don’t find that funny.

(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)

by oldemystix on Apr 11, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's go CAPs!

Now is the Time!
And our goalie knows it!

by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Apr 11, 2010 4:14 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I’m all about feeding the (russian) machine with headlines. I also read this as a knock on Theo – basically that he will be the Caps starter and that the Caps O players will then be available for Team Russia.

I say F that, because I think this team has more heart than any one players performance could affect – even if the goaltending were suspect. And I believe this is Theo’s year to show us he may not make every save, but he will make the save when we need to count on him.

As I would say for all players on the Caps. You can’t ask everyone to always be perfect, but I think we’ve reached a certain level of skill and maturity that the right man will step up at the right time for the good of the team.

by Icebat on Apr 11, 2010 4:37 AM EDT reply actions

What the Russian team needs more than NHL players is a crack PR team — a group with international savvy who can tell some of these Russians to STFU and respect non-Russian players.

(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)

by oldemystix on Apr 11, 2010 4:24 PM EDT reply actions