Translations
Alex Ovechkin: 'Those Two Weeks Lasted an Eternity'
by tuvanhillbilly on Nov 19, 2009 12:27 AM EST
in Translations
12 comments
Following the extremely satisfying win by the Capitals in MSG, Sport-Express correspondent Vasilij Osipov caught up with Alex Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov and got their impressions on the game.
****
The main game-day event in the NHL was, without a doubt, the return to the ice of the best player in the league for the past two years, Alex Ovechkin. Or, more precisely, the meticulous conspiracy which accompanied this return. During the morning practice skate Alexander the Great estimated his chances at returning as "fifty-fifty". And with his acting abilities, the head coach of the Capitals could play a spy in a television series. Bruce Boudreau declared, with a tragic sigh, that Ovi probably wouldn't be able to play...
Things only started coming in focus during the pre-game warm-ups. Guest number 8 spent a lot of time warming up on the ice, doing a lot of stretches. After that, Ovi started taking shots at the net with defenseman Green passing him the puck. Just watching him, it didn't seem like the Russian had been sidelined for two weeks, so powerful were his trademark shots.
However, the Russian National Team leader did start out playing fairly cautiously. This continued until the midpoint of the first period, when Alexander laid out the powerful New York defender Marc Staal. The famous Madison Square Garden had built a massive wall against the trespasser, but Ovechkin wasn't going to be stopped now. He had undoubtedly gotten dialed into the game. And soon the Muscovite showed that it wasn't for naught that he had worked so hard on his shot during the warm-ups. After a bump pass from Mike Green during a power play, he shot the puck past Henrik Lundqvist's right hand corner with an almost imperceptible blast
12 comments | 3 recs |
Alexander Ovechkin: 'I'm a Hit‑and‑Run Player'
by tuvanhillbilly on Oct 29, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in Translations
34 comments
[Sport-Express reporter Slava Malamud caught up with Alex Ovechkin after the nail-biter against Philly and had this interview in today's issue of Sport-Express.. After reading Ovy's comments on the Semin-Ovechkin-Backstrom line perhaps it should now be called the Reese's Cup line?]
Ovechkin came out to meet the press directly from the shower, dressed only in a towel and some bling. Your correspondent is not informing you of his déshabillé simply for the sake of our female readership, but solely for the purpose of reporting some valuable news. Alexander's bling partially consisted of half of a Canadian dollar, attached to a chain around his neck. This is the infamous dollar (aka ‘lucky loonie') which Ovechkin dug out of the ice in Quebec after winning the World Championship finals in 2008. Friend and teammate Ilya Nikulin then took the coin with him in order to split it into two parts, and apparently he recently completed this assignment. Ilya must have been in high spirits when he sawed the coin, or perhaps he did it in the middle of the night, because the ‘loonie' is cut in half in a zigzag. Nonetheless, Ovechkin must be pleased with the results for he has proudly added it to his collection of cervical accessories. It's quite a novel concept, considering it's an Olympic year.
Concerning recent spate of injuries to Olympic hopefuls, Ovechkin had the following to say:
"Ahh hell only knows. The season's just begun and the three best players are injured. God willing, Markunya (Andrei Markov) will have recovered in time for the Olympics. I also wish speedy recoveries for Gonchu and Kovalyu (Sergei Gonchar and Ilya Kovalchuk) of course. In hockey, nobody's safe from anything. Even during an Olympic year you can't play injured and regret it. If you're going to regret it, it's much better to simply say that you've hurt your leg and take a week's rest."
While your friend Semin was ill, did you keep far away from him?
"We didn't see him at all. He stayed at home the entire time."
The swine flu has basically caused a state of emergency in this country. The journalists had to wash their hands before they came into the locker room. Is it upsetting?
34 comments | 5 recs |
Hope Springs Eternal on the Nylander Front
by J.P. on Oct 1, 2009 12:34 PM EDT
in Translations
70 comments
Fitting that, on the day that the new season opens and CapsNation is full of cautious optimism, word would come from across the pond regarding the team's biggest burden, to serve both as a reminder of the roadblock (as if we needed another one) and hope that the unfortunate sitatuation might soon be resolved. Here's Tuvan's translation of the RIA Novosti article bringing the news:
Yaroslavl, 1 October, RIA Novosti. Lokomotiv is expressing interest in Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander, who has spent 15 seasons in the NHL, according to an RIA Novosti source close to the Yaroslavl club.
Peter, the younger brother of the well-known Swedish center (who turns 37 on October 2), is currently defending the colors for Khabarovsk Amur, and Michael also has some experience gained in Russia. During the 2004/2005 NHL lockout, he played several games for SKA and Ak Bars. By the way, Nylander's contract with Alexander Ovechkin's team is good for another two years, during which he is scheduled to be paid $8.5 million USD.
In addition to this, Lokomotiv has terminated the contract with forward Radek Bonk. An official reason for the termination has not yet been given, but according to our source, the parties came to a mutual agreement without any claims. Bonk was on the Lokomotiv team for 7 games, during which he scored 2 (0+2) points.
Currently, the situation with Konstantin Rudenko who, like Bonk, was discharged from the team last week after an unsuccesful road trip, has not been resolved. According to our source, the Yaroslavl team intends to trade the forward to another team.
Before we get too excited, Dmitry Chesnokov points out that "Lokomotiv is a closed organization in a sense that they hardly ever comment on player contracts," and they would not comment on Nylander. Could this be the "resolution" that Bruce Boudreau hinted at earlier in the week? Perhaps. But for now, it's just a rumor, and Michael Nylander is still a Capital. Nominally, at least.
70 comments | 8 recs |
Semyon Varlamov: "I Missed the NHL Terribly"
by tuvanhillbilly on Sep 17, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in Translations
21 comments
With training camp in full swing and the preseason fast approaching, your old pal Slava Malamud over at Sport-Express is once again back on the hockey beat after a summertime diversion of covering soccer and velosports. In today's edition is an interview that Slava had with Semyon Varlamov after Monday's scrimmage.
***
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Washington has arrived at work. I am speaking, as you know, of the Washington Capitals - the most Russian organization in the American capital as well as the United States in general. And if you think I'm exaggerating, then you know little about the history of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Representative of Russia on American soil. The history goes like this: first there was Alaska, then Smirnoff, then the Detroit Red Wings, then there was a little bit of Tatu, and now finally Ovechkin and his brigade. All of these are Russian things which the Americans have sampled, evaluated and even called their own.
And don't think that during the off-season this year when the Capitals lost two of their Russians (Sergei Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov) that they stopped being our main branch of the NHL. Who else could we give that title to? Way out in Columbus they have three of our guys (well, depending on whether or not you agree to count Maxim Mayorov), but you can't really say that Russians are terribly interested in the daily routines of the Blue Jackets. And I'm not even going to ask whether or not your attention was riveted to Los Angeles and the preseason plans of Frolov, Voynov and Loktionov.
In Washington, if you can imagine, the main topic of conversation at the beginning of training camp was something like this: "Will Semyon Varlamov be able to displace Jose Theodore in net?" By the way, he is now known as Semyon-the club and league have respected the wishes of the goaltender and have stopped calling him Simian. So, the chances for the Russian to achieve this should be pretty good. Varlamov's heroics in the last playoffs haven't been forgotten, and the level of confidence that Theodore will recapture the star which led him to a Hart and a Vezina at the dawn of the Bush administration has long been hovering around zero.
For Varlamov this is doubly important, since securing a spot on the team is his chance to go to Vancouver in February. However, for rookies in the NHL (unless their names are Crosby, Ovechkin or Tavares) nothing is guaranteed, especially when there is a veteran in their position who is being paid a lot of money. The head coach has repeatedly stated that the position in net will have to be fought for. By Varlamov, Theodore, and the Czech Michal Neuvirth.
The first battle of this campaign has ended for the Russian... and out of the spirit of optimistic patriotism let's call it a "withdrawal to a previously prepared position". In a scrimmage on Monday, Semyon allowed three goals-more than all the other participating goalkeepers. And they didn't come from Ovechkin, but rather from Bradley and Aucoin. Well, let's not lose our optimism so let's call it a successful cleansing of inter-seasonal rust. Especially since Varlamov himself was calm and cheerful after the end of practice. This, by the way, is his normal state.
Share your first impressions on returning to the team.
"First, I terribly missed hockey, the NHL, the local system and how they relate to the players here. I came to camp in very good condition. I worked out a lot during the summer, with a goaltender coach, on the ice, off the ice and in the gym. I've already gotten acclimatized and caught up on my sleep . In a word, everything's okay."
The Russian crew in Washington has shrunk. Do you feel any discomfort from that?
"Of course I wish there were as many Russian guys as possible, but I don't feel any discomfort. I speak English a bit better now and I already understand almost everything. So I even feel better now that I did last season."
If so, then it's time to have a talk with the coach about what he expects from you what you can expect this year.
"We haven't had that conversation. Right after the playoffs he talked to me and told me... that I'd come and would be fighting for a place in net, that he wouldn't give me any guarantees, that I had to work, and things like that."
That's what they always say to the young guys. So in your personal opinion, what do you think of your chances?
"To be honest, I try to not pay any attention to what is being said around me. You just have to do your job, practice, and get in shape. We've got some preseason games coming up, with Buffalo, Chicago and the Rangers, so after those maybe something can be perceived. Then I'll be in my definitive form. In today's scrimmage I felt a little off. In the summer I trained on the European rinks, and now I have to get used the smaller rinks again... But I'm not going to talk about whether or not I'll be the main guy. (What happens on) the ice will show that."
Is there a difference with the advent of the new goaltending coach, Artur Irbe?
"Of course. For instance, language problems have totally disappeared. It's really easy to work with Artur, and he helps me a lot. You could say, of course, that now I have less chance to practice my English, but this is nothing-I'll catch up with the guys. Now I understand 100 percent what the coach wants from me. Right now we have "хорошая связь" (good communications- S.M.)
Yes, you can see how you converse in Russian. Irbe, by the way, was always quite the unique player -in his dimensions, style, and his choice of equipment. He even played in the NHL wearing a never-before-seen prehistoric mask and pads. Is Artur teaching you any of his secrets?
"We just started working with him-we just met two weeks ago. But I feel like he can teach me a lot. Right now I've ordered some new equipment, and Artur came and helped me. You can tell immediately that he can help in these matters like nobody else. And it's always good when you're standing next to a guy who's played in the NHL at the highest levels."
So does this mean that he's teaching you his method for breaking in pads? You do know, don't you, that Irbe drove over them in a Jeep?
(Laughs) We haven't had any discussions about that. Every goaltender has his secrets for adjusting his equipment. I'll say right off that my methods are quite different."
About how many games will you play in the preseason?
"I don't have the slightest clue. Right now basically nobody knows anything-who, when, and against whom you'll play. We've just been given the training schedule and that's it. They'll probably say something the day before the game. So I have to be ready."
21 comments | 5 recs |
Semyon Varlamov: "I Don't Have Time for a Personal Life"
by tuvanhillbilly on Aug 17, 2009 11:03 PM EDT
in Translations
29 comments
[Back up and rewind, ladies and gents. According to this interview which appeared today on the official newsportal for Samara, Russia, the headline from our previous article on Varlamov appears to be invalid. Oh, and he wants to sign an eight year contract with the Caps.]
***
Semyon, you left Russia to play in a foreign country. What does America look like through the eyes of a Russian goaltender?
"It really seemed like a different world to me, everything there was quite different. As far as hockey, it's an absolutely different style of game, organized on a much higher level than we have. The people there are very different. To tell the truth, in America it's easier to lead a peaceful, orderly life. In Russia, everything is much harder. When I arrived from America, I immediately felt the difference: Americans are much more friendly, courteous, and kind if you will. This isn't a slam against Russians-- it's just a different mentality."
"As for everyday life, I had difficulties-in speaking, for instance. I don't know English very well, and I had quite a few problems this season because of that."
Were you able to make any friends?
"So far the only friends I've found are on the team-the Russian guys from Washington: Sasha Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov. I really get along great with them, and we keep in constant contact."
How about the ladies? Are you planning on getting married sometime?
"No, I'm not planning on it. I don't have any girlfriends, and I don't really need any right now. I was in a relationship, of course, but right now I have such a heavy work schedule that I don't have time for it. Right now I am fully devoted to my favorite thing-hockey. I simply don't have any time for a personal life."
Hmmm. That's weird. Just a week ago in one of your interviews you were saying exactly the opposite. You were talking about how you had found a Russian girl in America and fallen in love...
"Well, yeah, but that was last week, and now my plans have abruptly changed."
...To the joy of your female fans. By the way, do you have a lot of them? Do they tear off your clothing after the games?
"No, my fans behave decently; it hasn't reached that point yet. They come up to me, ask for autographs, bring jerseys with my name on it so I'll write something on them... I haven't seen any special fanaticism. Maybe I'll see that in the future, but first I have to become as well known as Alexander Ovechkin. I haven't gotten there yet."
If you hadn't been introduced to hockey as a kid, what would you be doing?
"I probably would be a tennis player. I'm really attracted to that sport. And if I hadn't taken up any sport, then I probably would have continued on and done well in my studies. My parents are well educated, as well as my sister. I have a very smart family. I would have gone to one of our institutes."
Who do you compare yourself to in sports? Who is your idol?
"I used to consider Patrick Roy as my hockey idol. I wouldn't say, of course, that I compare myself to him-I was just really attracted to his style of play. Right now, the person I am trying to equate myself with is Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis player. I like how he devotes himself to the game, his favorite thing. This is a guy who is always at the highest level, constantly winning tournaments, and his high bar never falls. He is a very stable athlete. In my own game I'd like to achieve the same stability that he has."
Tell us about your professional plans for the future.
"I would really like to continue my career with Washington, and I hope that will happen for me. Right now my main goal is to keep my place on the main team. My contract with the Washington Capitals is up in two years, and I want to sign a long-term contract them: for five, seven, or eight years. Those are my plans."
29 comments | 3 recs |
Sorry, Ladies - Varlamov Has the Love of His Life
by tuvanhillbilly on Aug 5, 2009 6:44 AM EDT
in Translations
92 comments
[Many thanks to reader and fan Emily for pointing me towards this too-cute-for-words interview, photo shoot and video with wunderkid goalie Semyon (that's how I'm spelling it and that is that) Varlamov and his sweetheart, Dasha. This appeared today on website for the Russian glossy magazine "OK!"]
He left for America in September of last year to join the Washington Capitals-- one of the best hockey teams in the NHL, if not the world. After a few practices with the main stars of the league-- Ovechkin, Fedorov, Semin, Kozlov, Pothier, Nylander and others-he was sent down to the farm club, where he vegetated until the spring of this year. It wasn't good fortune, but rather bad luck that helped him out: Washington's main goalkeeper was seriously injured, and his backup couldn't help him out, so 20-year old Semyon Varlamov was put in front of the net. His debut didn't occur during a regular season game, but rather in a quarterfinal battle for the most prestigious hockey trophy on earth-the Stanley Cup. And Varly, as Semyon is now called in America, didn't falter. Even though in the end Washington didn't win the cup-they lost in the semifinals to the future trophy winners, the legendary Pittsburgh Penguins-this fall Varlamov will return to the American capital as goaltender number one. Right now he is on vacation, and he's spending it in Russia with his sweetheart, Dasha. "OK!" Magazine caught up with one of the best Russian goalkeepers on the eve of his departure for his native Samara.
You were invited to Washington back in 2006. Why did it take two years for you to get to America?
"I had signed a three year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. I had to spend two years with them, and the third year was optional. I didn't want to cheat my team."
They say that in the NHL it's more difficult for a goalkeeper to make a place for himself than for other position players. Is that true?
"Yes. There is a lot of competition for goalkeepers. When I went to Washington last year to the rookie camp, there were five of us there. All of us were about the same age, and all of them seemed to be worthy."
None the less it was you who was chosen to be put in net at the end of the season.
"Up to that point I had played a lot of games in our farm league team. I tell you, the level of play there is quite high. Perhaps it might not be worth it for some regular player to play there, but for a goalkeeper it was excellent experience. They shoot just as many goals on net as they do in the NHL. I gained some pretty good experience before I made it onto the regular Washington team."
How did it come about that you made it onto the regular team?
92 comments | 3 recs |
Nylander: Boudreau "Told Me I Wasn't Good Enough"
by J.P. on Aug 3, 2009 3:17 PM EDT
in Translations
205 comments
[Huge thanks (or "tack så mycket") to Ice Warrior and HD89 for translating from the original Swedish a couple of interesting reads on Michael Nylander. The first is an article from Aftonbladet (HD89's translation), the second a blog post from Swedish hockey writer Marie Hallman (Ice Warrior's translation).]
Nylander on the outside looking in, with Capitals
"He told me I wasn't good enough"
The Coach doesn't want him. And he doesn't want to stay. But no other team wants to take on his salary.
Michael Nylander finds himself in quite the pinch with the Washington Capitals, a team that just two years ago made it one of their top priorities to get the 36-year old Swedish-born center signed to a 4-year deal worth $18.5 million (dollars). The Capitals explained to Nylander they wanted him to be a big part of their plans moving forward and they were willing to give him a long-term deal to ensure that fact.
His time with the Caps though, hasn't turned out as expected. Nylanders first season in Washington was cut short due to injuries, and he only played 40 games. Last year the slick Swede got into 72 games, but in a much more diminished role under head coach Bruce Boudreau, who replaced previous coach Glen Hanlon just a few months into Nylanders tenure with the Caps.
According to Nylander, coach Boudreau has made his opinion clear;
"He told me he didn't think I was good enough. That's pretty straight-forward to me." [Ed. Note: Ice Warrior translated the same line as "He has told me that I am not good enough. A pretty clear message."]
What happens now is anybodys guess. The deal with Washington extends for another two seasons and Nylander has a right to refuse any move he doesn't like from GM George McPhee. The trouble is, no team will even take on Nylanders high salary. A salary that isn't changed by the fact that he's not playing.
"I want to switch teams, but it's not exactly easy. My deal is signed, I can't lower my salary. It'll be hard to fit in within the salary cap of some teams, and I want to make sure I'd fit in with the team as well. We'll see what happens, but at this point, I don't know."
205 comments | 4 recs |
Viktor Kozlov: "I Really Enjoyed My Time in Washington"
by tuvanhillbilly on Aug 1, 2009 9:45 AM EDT
in Translations
5 comments
[Viktor Kozlov has traded one capital city for another. From the capital of the free world to the capital of Bashkortostan. Yesterday's issue of the Russian-language SportsDaily website caught up with Viktor right after his arrival in Ufa.]
Dinara Kafiskina "Sport Den' za Dnem"
By now everyone is surely used to the fact that players from the NHL are returning to Russia. But top players of the level of Viktor Kozlov are still rare. Even though Viktor had the chance to stay in Washington for another two years, one of the most experienced Russian players instead decided to leave from the place where everyone else aspires to. I caught up with the 34 year-old forward in Ufa right after he arrived here. Kozlov is now going to play for the team from the capital of Bashkortostan.
"When I signed my contract with Washington, I decided for myself that these would be my last two years in the NHL" said Kozlov. "I even considered going to play in Russia during the lockout year, which I spent here. I really liked the attitude towards hockey, plus I was among my own people..."
How did they feel about your decision in Washington?
"I think that the management of any club realizes that a player has the right to choose. So they thanked me for my efforts in Washington, they wished me luck, and the guys on the team understood."
I read somewhere that you said the KHL is now undergoing a rejuvenation process.
"Yes. It really seems like that to me. Like they say, all of our youth are talented and all of our elders are honored (smiles)."
It wasn't only Salavat that wanted you in their lineup, but also SKA and Dynamo Moscow. Why exactly did you choose the Ufa club, where you signed a contract for an entire three years?
"Because the capital of Bashkortostan is not far from my native Togliatti. It's only 500 km. I wanted to be closer to my home."
So that was the main reason?
"Not the main one, but one of them... What also played a role is the fact that they've put together a first-rate team here in Ufa, with a great roster. By the way, I know almost half the guys on the team. Our paths have crossed over time while playing for different teams. I'm not going to name names, somebody might get upset (smiles). Basically, we have a chance to win the championship. Even when I was in the states I kept up with what was going on and I knew that Salavat was the leader all last season."
I'm sure the fact that Bykov and Zakharkin are at the helm also had some influence...
5 comments | 2 recs |
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 AM EST)
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