Vyacheslav Bykov will remain head coach of Team Russia

Today's Russian coaches came mainly from the old school, when things were completely different. Today's Russian players have not devoted endless hours to on- and off-ice conditioning, nor have they practiced on-ice at intense speeds honing their passing and puckhandling skills. The coaches expect that they can just be dictators behind the bench, but the kids don't have the highly developed skills at top speed that Russian youth teams used to have. They are incapable of delivering what their coaches demand.

Oleg and Igor,

In my opinion, you are both 100% correct, and your positions do not really contradict each other. Bykov (correct me if I am wrong, but I perceive Zakharkin as Bykov's assistant, and not a primary force in the return of Russia to championship hockey) brought medals back to Russia by creating a favorable environment to not only bring Russia's best players back to the National team, but to motivate them to play hard and win medals. Perhaps out of nothing more than great respect for the man himself, who was one of the greatest Soviet players of all time.

At the same time, as Alexander pointed out, he has done very poorly as a tactician in preparing his teams to make the best use of their considerable strengths. Any one who has watched Canadian hockey knows that a primary strategy when Canada is the home team and playing in front of their frenzied fans is to make their fans part of the team. They do that by unleashing a blitzkrieg style attack early in the game and using the momentum of the crowd to build an early, insurmountable lead. And yet, Bykov, who has played in Canada many times, was completely unprepared for that strategy. But, as Igor said, I don't know who else is available who could do a better job than Bykov?

I can't actually name the coach I'd like to see, it's Tretyak's job to find the right one. The new coach must be a real professional, not the one who invites Semin just because he plays in the NHL, or ices Ovechkin knowing he has an injury. Ovechkin was completely useless on the late stages at the WC but he still was given the spot just because he's Ovechkin.
Larionov had a great idea to bring Bowman in but it's Russia... Russians (mostly Soviet people), because of their pride, wouldn't allow that to happen. They prefer to have coaches like Krikunov, who still thinks it's sixties.

Alexander,

Your arguments are very persuasive! There is no question that Bykov and Zakharkin did a bad job not only at the Olympics, but also the World Championships. With the quality of players at the Olympics, you can to some degree defend losing, but losing to the Czechs, and barely sneaking by Germany, Slovakia, Belarus, and other less than powerful teams at the World Championships cannot be defended.

Of course this raises the question: if not Bykov, who else of high quality should take his place? Who would you prefer?

John and Oleg,

Bykov and Zakharkin managed to create great atmosphere in the team. Like 5 years ago nobody wanted to play for Russia, now all players are eager to do this. But this can't be used as an execuse for their losses anymore. They should be thanked and let go.
They are great psychologists but bad tacticians, which they proved for several times. Ovechkin's three shootout attempts against Slovakia because of "they didn't think that the game would go into the shooout"? Seriously? You are playing at the tournament of a four-years period and you don't think that a game could go into shootouts?

I think that this team doesn't need Bykov and Zakharkin anymore (at least not as head coaches). Now there are players like Kovalchuk and Ovechkin, who can create great atmosphere by themselves.

What Team Russia needs now is a smart tactician, who can use the upsides of each player, have PP and PK units, etc. Otherwise I doubt that the result in Sochi will be different from the Vancouver's one.

Alexander,

I agree with Oleg. Look at the horrible results before Bykov, and contrast that with his success. Bronze, Gold, Gold, and Silver in the World Championships in the last four years. At the same time, I agree with several things that you say, Alexander! Very poor performance in the Olympics, especially against Canada, who didn't beat anybody else by four goals except winless Germany. And Semin played so badly in the Olympics and during this year's World Championships that it would be criminal to allow him back on the team. He is like Viktor Kozlov, very talented, but of no value once he is on the ice.

I don't know anyone else who could step in and do better than Bykov under the circumstances. For what it is worth, I support giving him a chance to correct his errors and improve in his job.

oleg,

In what game exactly did Bykov turn a group of stars into a team? Against Canada (3:7) or the Czech Republic (1:2)?

And yeah, what's the purpose of having Semin in the team? I think Bykov took him and several other NHL players just because they are from the NHL.

terrible decision by the Federation... Failed in the Olympics, Failed in the World Championships, Failed in the KHL playoffs.