Evgeny Kuznetsov hams it up as he joins the Russia men's national team for the "Sweden Games" leg of the Euro Hockey Tour in Helsinki, Finland.

There's a bit of controversy as their game against the Finns is scheduled to be played in Helsinki's outdoor Olympic Stadium. Where the daytime temps are currently approximately minus-15 degrees Celsius, with periodic heavy snow.

This interview with head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov is fascinating, as he frets about the weather and especially when the reporters press him on the leaked reports that Kuznetsov will be centering the top line for Team Russia, just weeks after his 20th birthday.

(Photo courtesy Russian Ice Hockey Federation)

I just had to

Screen shot of the questionable hit by Ovechkin. Looks from this that both feet are still on the ice and that the point of first contact is not to the head.

Via Traktor Chelyabinsk's website, here's Evgeny Kuznetsov graciously accepting a handmade hat from some of his fans.

The Traktor fans were aware of the NA tradition of the hat trick,and in honor of his strong performance at World Juniors, they made him one of his very own:

"It is known that the ocean [overseas leagues - ed.] has a tradition: after the execution of a hat-trick fans throw on the ice caps. Hat-trick in a literal translation - "hat trick". Kuznetsov played in the World Cup just two such trick: in the group stage, he scored 3 goals in the gate the Latvian team, and in the semi-finals three times, struck the gate of Canada. These two points are noted."

More awesome pix at the link.

I was shocked when I heard yesterday that the NHL Players Association had decided to put its collective bargaining leverage above the good of the game. And then as I read on, I was angry, because Donald Fehr's reasons for vetoing realignment sound so false, so pretextual, so mealy-mouthed, so artificial, and so wrong.

I decided that if the NHLPA was going to veto a realignment that everyone agrees is necessary, then the players themselves ought to face up to it. Which was convenient timing, because today I had tickets for what is likely the only hockey game I'll see in person all year. So I rounded up a couple of friends (the estimable Mark D'Arrigo and Dave Arnold-Fernandez), made a sign (thanks Alex and Betsy), and headed down to ice level at the Shark Tank.

We were at the glass at the end of the first intermission, with the players taking warmup skate for the second period. Brad Winchester was the first to spot the sign, and he gave us a sour face. Karl Alzner was next, and his expression went from blank to blanker, but his face always looks pretty expressionless out there. Jason Chimera gave me a long, cold icy stare. PPP, I've never felt so much empathy.

And then Ovechkin spotted it. There was no mistaking his reaction. He saw a lone Caps fan holding a sign at ice level (Mark and Dave had split). And for a split second, his eyes lit up. And then they narrowed when he saw what it said, and he skated away. It was an instant, but there was no question. And I felt a little bad, because the last thing I needed to do was distract my own team. But there are important issues at stake. They're putting the Patrick Division back together. Winnipeg will be truly screwed without realignment. Dallas, Detroit, and so many others will benefit from this change.

So Alex and Jason and Karl, I'm sorry to have disappointed. But tonight, being a fan of the NHL was more important than being a fan of the Washington Capitals. And the Caps are just one of many teams that will benefit greatly from realignment. Come on NHLPA, do the right thing.

Dany Sabourin, Olie Kolzig and Braden Holtby pose for a pic as they get ready for the AHL's Outdoor Classic at Citizen's Bank Park. (Photo courtesy of Scott Stuccio)

Karl Alzner sporting some Canadian collateral damage after Team Russia defeated Team Canada on Tuesday night. (photo by Adam Vingan, via SB Nation DC, which has the full story)

Here are three guys who look like they're ready to a smashing New Year's Eve party... or prom. One or the other.

A couple of stocking stuffers (from me, to me) arrived in today's mail. Click here for a scan of the 1974-75 Caps pocket schedule, and here for the 1977-78 version.

My office made elves for each person and I couldn't resist swapping out my face for Neuvy's!