Comments for Russian Hockey Fans

Comment on Vyacheslav Bykov will remain head coach of Team Russia by malkinfan

malkinfan — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:12:00 +0000

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

Comment on Nikita Filatov: “I am determined to get back to the NHL” by Dave Fisherman

Dave Fisherman — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:27:00 +0000

I hope The Khl and Nhl Russian players play in the
2014 Olympics. The Olympics need the Nhl and Khl.

Comment on World Championship – Ilya Kovalchuk: “We need to win now like never before” by John

John — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:51:00 +0000

Well said, Igor. This lineup is too loaded with great talent to barely squeak by in games. Let’s let the Russian go on the offensive from the opening whistle and pour the pressure on the other teams.

Comment on World Championship – Ilya Kovalchuk: “We need to win now like never before” by Igor

Igor — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:13:00 +0000

Lets not win…..
LETS DOMINATE!!!!

Comment on 2010 U18 WJC: Team Russia finishes without medals by John

John — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Igor,
You are right! In recent years, Junior-age teams haven’t been producing enough offensive chances to keep the opposition away from the Russian net. As you mention, for some reason, Swedish youth teams have been extremely confident against Russian teams in recent years, sometimes dominating them, which never used to happen! In last December’s U20 match, the Swedish team had complete control and possession of the puck, cycling around deep in the Russian zone and passing the puck to uncovered teammates for many, many outstanding scoring opportunities. The Russian team was largely unable to clear the puck out of their zone. I think they suffered not so much from defensive problems as the inability to possess the puck and advance it to the Swedish zone.
It used to be Russian teams that dominated puck possession. I think the change has to do with the fact that other Federations have taken direct action to improve their hockey. The United States made the choice to develop a Soviet-style national team program in Michigan several years ago. They bring all the best players from around the country together and assign them to a national team, where they play together all year long under the supervision of the best coaches with a high degree of intensity. If you watched the USA junior teams train, it is like a page out of Anatoli Tarasov’s book, *The Road to Olympus.” Also, I believe Sweden and Finland have created national team programs, which I believe helps to explain their success in recent years.
The Canadians don’t have a national team program that I am aware of, but they do have 60 top-flight Junior teams in a very competitive junior league. I hope for two things: (1) that the MHL will improve the number and quality of junior players that can be made available for intenationational compeittion, and (2) that the Russian Federation will renew the practice of forming national teams to enable the best Russian talent to train together intensively throughout the year. .

Comment on 2010 U18 WJC: Team Russia finishes without medals by Igor

Igor — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:40:00 +0000

Our guys did not have the poor starts as in previous tournaments. But the third periods we played poorly. Offensive pressure is definitely something Russians need to learn. They would get a good scoring chance, and then the rebounds are cleared or there is a counter attack the other way. Against Sweden we also got physically dominated, so we will have to be tougher. That is now 3 tournaments in 2010 where Russia’s results have been disappointing (WJC, OLY and U-18). Overall, at all levels in hockey, we simply get outcoached. The first thing I notice is, we have s much talent, but we are missing team play and structure offensively and defesively. Hopefully in Germany at the Worlds they don’t let us down!

Comment on Anton Volchenkov: “I’m not planning a trip to Germany” by Igor

Igor — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:34:00 +0000

He is playing without a contract. That is why he wants to stay fresh for free agency. He has never really made an impact on Team Russia, so we can do without him. Last time I checked, I believe Kulikov is playing, he is an all-round defnceman

Comment on Dmitry Orlov: “I still don’t know if I’ll go to the NHL this summer” by John

John — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:43:00 +0000

I favor the KHL route as well. He is a really talented kid, but he is not likely to play in the NHL next year at all, if he chose to leave Novokuznetsk. They would either send him to a junior team, or send him to the AHL. Neither experience would help him at all with his development, and too many promising Russian careers have been lost by culture shock and low level play in the AHL.

Comment on Dmitry Orlov: “I still don’t know if I’ll go to the NHL this summer” by Alessandro Seren Rosso

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:09:00 +0000

So, who thinks that he should go to the NHL and who thinks he should take other 1-2 years in the KHL? I’m for the KHL route.

Comment on Anton Volchenkov: “I’m not planning a trip to Germany” by John

John — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:55:00 +0000

I haven’t heard anything previously about the need for rehabilitation. To my knowledge, his health issues didn’t prevent him from playing in every playoff game for the Senators. Forgive me if I am being unfair to Volchenkov, but this has so often been the excuse used in the past when players are tired after a long season, and just don’t want to make the effort to play for their country. If he in fact needs rehabilitation, I hope it goes well.
Volchenkov is a tough player, who hits hard and blocks a lot of shots, but his slow skating speed proved to be a liability in the Olympics, especially against Canada, when he got beaten to the outside several times, a couple of times resulting in goals. His absence alone shouldn’t effect Russia’s prospects in the World Championships