WC: 2015 — Team Russia

[Yakushev72]

Could it be that Znarok's true capabilities as a national team coach have yet to be witnessed? I mean, let's be reality, he was basically handed the gold last year when Russia had almost all the NHL stars while the rest had few.

By "all of their NHL stars," I assume that you are referring to Ovechkin and Malkin. I have to believe that you don't consider Anisimov and Kulyomin to be "NHL stars." The fact is, that Ovechkin received a fairly serious injury against Germany early on, and was not much of a factor in Russia's success. Malkin was available for only the last 3 games, and didn't really do that much, either. The tournament was won by guys like Tikhonov, Plotnikov, Shirokov, Zaripov and Belov. Of course having Bobrovsky helped.

As for Znarok, its hard to know if last year was a fluke or not. We'll find out. Coaching depth is a real weakness for Russia, and there aren't many alternatives. But as I have said, there is still time to contend in this tournament. Finland looked really weak against Team USA, who badly outskated them, but that could have been just one bad game. Slovakia also always gives Russia trouble. But if Znarok can get the guys back up to win those 2 games, they will be in good shape in the 2nd seed. They were tired against Team USA, and the USA was fresh for that game, and it showed. Its not over yet.

 

[Wings4Life]

He has only 1 loss in the last 2 years, so maybe the "moron" label is a little harsh at this point! Its not easy to form lines from guys who may never have played together. Lets see what adjustments he makes.

He was banned from a gold medal game for acting like an idiot, so the moron label is apt.

And to show how little that team actually needed his coaching, well, not at all, since they won gold without him.

 

[Yakushev72]

He was banned from a gold medal game for acting like an idiot, so the moron label is apt.

And to show how little that team actually needed his coaching, well, not at all, since they won gold without him.

Who should replace him? And, to be clear, he was coaching from the press box.

 

[Atas2000]

I would think the bigger ice would also provide an advantage to slick forwards like Tarasenko, Malkin and Kovalchuk ;-)

Oh, now you are implying US forwads weren't slick? ;-)

 

[Atas2000]

He was banned from a gold medal game for acting like an idiot, so the moron label is apt.

He was banned for doing the right thing. Period.

 

[Atas2000]

By "all of their NHL stars," I assume that you are referring to Ovechkin and Malkin. I have to believe that you don't consider Anisimov and Kulyomin to be "NHL stars." The fact is, that Ovechkin received a fairly serious injury against Germany early on, and was not much of a factor in Russia's success. Malkin was available for only the last 3 games, and didn't really do that much, either. The tournament was won by guys like Tikhonov, Plotnikov, Shirokov, Zaripov and Belov. Of course having Bobrovsky helped.

As for Znarok, its hard to know if last year was a fluke or not. We'll find out. Coaching depth is a real weakness for Russia, and there aren't many alternatives. But as I have said, there is still time to contend in this tournament. Finland looked really weak against Team USA, who badly outskated them, but that could have been just one bad game. Slovakia also always gives Russia trouble. But if Znarok can get the guys back up to win those 2 games, they will be in good shape in the 2nd seed. They were tired against Team USA, and the USA was fresh for that game, and it showed. Its not over yet.

We seem to get a share of young coaches. So future looks good. For now I agree, no need to shoot Znarok down. It's just obvious this team lacks an adequate D-core and Znarok fails to get them going so far.

Also after today's game Shirokov should basically pack his things and go. I don't know what's in the guys' heads, but they definitely out of mojo. So many stupid, undisciplined, careless plays...

 

[Yakushev72]

We seem to get a share of young coaches. So future looks good. For now I agree, no need to shoot Znarok down. It's just obvious this team lacks an adequate D-core and Znarok fails to get them going so far.

Also after today's game Shirokov should basically pack his things and go. I don't know what's in the guys' heads, but they definitely out of mojo. So many stupid, undisciplined, careless plays...

I agree. I also think the future is starting to look good for players. The D group is a huge weakness, but I think some of them are capable of playing better than they have so far. But you're right that Znarok is so far unable to inspire them or get them going. That showed against the US, where the Americans were clearly the more motivated team.

Also, the Americans were an excellent skating team, which they proved against Finland as well as Russia. If some players who haven't played well start to turn it around, who knows what could happen?

 

[Khokhlach86]

Znarok said: "Anisimov have injury and he can't play on faceoffs"

 

[ViD]

Am I the only one who has a strange but certain feeling that we re going to lose in quarterfinal ?

 

[Atas2000]

Am I the only one who has a strange but certain feeling that we re going to lose in quarterfinal ?

no, your name is legion. the ugly performance in the first 4 games pretty much has everyone as a pessimist right now. I have no expectations for that team. I hadn't much when I first read the roster before the tournament. I had some hope Zaripov, Datsyuk, you know... but now.

 

[cska78]

it's pretty funny - we hope for Zaripov and Datsyuk and americans bring whoever and beat us. Our depth is way too thing and KHL is the reason for this. Instead of trying to creat a competition for NHL they flooded average players with money and decided they will become equals.

 

[ViD]

it's pretty funny - we hope for Zaripov and Datsyuk and americans bring whoever and beat us. Our depth is way too thing and KHL is the reason for this. Instead of trying to creat a competition for NHL they flooded average players with money and decided they will become equals.

Well, it's not that our depth in 2000s was something incredible and we were far from winning the WC. Now, we are in the mix and we have a lot of KHLers that are leading the team like ZZM was once and even now we have guys like Panarin, Dadonov etc.

I think KHL improved the team if anything.

 

[cbjgirl]

Znarok said: "Anisimov have injury and he can't play on faceoffs"

Anisimov hasn't taken faceoffs since he came back to the CBJ weeks ago. I think it was a torn triceps muscle.

 

[Atas2000]

it's pretty funny - we hope for Zaripov and Datsyuk and americans bring whoever and beat us.

It's not Zaripov and Datsyuk. It's Zaripov and Datsyuk to offset that god awful defence. Btw your reaction to one game is hilarious.

Our depth is way too thing and KHL is the reason for this.

How? Because YOU don't like the KHL?

Instead of trying to creat a competition for NHL they flooded average players with money and decided they will become equals.

Just because some idiots of journalists write this over and over again it doesn't become true. There are 3 major mistakes in this your statement alone.

 

[IceHockey19]

We have week defence.
Speaking of KHL, here is list of 50 best defencemen based on points(goal+assist). I counted only 18 of 50 can play for team Russia. Others are foreigners. And IMHO only Zaycev, Denisov, Kuteikin could improve our defence. KHL=lack of good defencemen for national team.

In year 2000 we had about 90 NHL'ers and about 10 teams equipped with players eligible to play in national team. No foreigners. Still Magnitogorsk, Dinamo, Loko and Lada were among best european teams in euroleague, and our U20 team played in world junior finals almost every year. Now we holding on at the international level thanks to Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk and Kovalchuk. This is sad.

So don't think KHL did something good for our hockey. They bring money, of cause, which clubs spend on huge salaries instead of developing hockey schools for young players.

Koltsov Kirill 4 SAL
Lee Chris 4 MMG
Lundin Mike 39 BAR
Bailen Nick 55 DMN
Gunderson Ryan 13 JOK
Hersley Patrik 6 SIB
Dallman Kevin 38 BAR
Gilroy Matthew 97 ATL
Zaitsev Nikita 22 CSK
Quint Deron 2 TRK
Shchitov Nikita 42 SCH
Nikulin Ilya 5 AKB
Kulyash Denis 28 AVG
Hietanen Juuso 11 TOR
Wilson Clay 5 SCH
Larsen Philip 3 UGR
Kronwall Staffan 27 LOK
Denisov Denis 6 CSK
Kuteikin Andrei 45 SKA
Genoway Charles 5 DRG
Kolar Jan 29 ADM
Flood Mark 36 MDV
Lepisto Sami 18 AVT
Robinson Mat 37 DYN
Eronen Teemu 21 NKH
Gustafsson Erik 26 AVG
Sersen Michal 8 SLV
Ozhiganov Igor 92 SIB
Antipin Viktor 9 MMG
Redlihs Krisjanis 9 DRG
Kutuzov Alexander 45 SAL
Lajunen Ville 47 JOK
Sergeyev Andrei 4 UGR
Holos Jonas 7 LOK
Whitney Ryan 19 SCH
Nemec Ondrej 28 ATL
Berezin Maxim 5 NKH
Heshka Shaun 26 ADM
Carle Mathieu 77 MDV
Krajicek Lukas 25 DMN
Alexeyev Konstantin 20 SIB
Todd Daine 3 JOK
Vishnevsky Ivan 9 SAL
Heikkinen Ilkka 49 SAL
Shefer Andrei 18 SEV
Chudinov Maxim 73 SKA
Cibulskis Oskars 44 DRG
Pepelyaev Alexei 70 TOR
Vishnevsky Dmitry 55 DYN
Kondratyev Maxim 63 TRK

 

[RobertR]

Yeah, I wonder why Koltsov is never invited? Is he that bad defensively?

And what about Kutuzov and Zubarev? Are they injured?

 

[Khokhlach86]

Yeah, I wonder why Koltsov is never invited? Is he that bad defensively?

And what about Kutuzov and Zubarev? Are they injured?

Our GM said for Koltsov:"We do not need midfielders."
Zubarev was poor in Eurochallenge and Eurohockey games and he's have some health problems.

I hope that our coaches still have a brain and call Yemelin if Montreal will lose tomorrow.

 

[Peter25]

Russia should rest Malkin until the quarter finals.

 

[Peter25]

We have week defence.
Speaking of KHL, here is list of 50 best defencemen based on points(goal+assist). I counted only 18 of 50 can play for team Russia. Others are foreigners. And IMHO only Zaycev, Denisov, Kuteikin could improve our defence. KHL=lack of good defencemen for national team.

In year 2000 we had about 90 NHL'ers and about 10 teams equipped with players eligible to play in national team. No foreigners. Still Magnitogorsk, Dinamo, Loko and Lada were among best european teams in euroleague, and our U20 team played in world junior finals almost every year. Now we holding on at the international level thanks to Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk and Kovalchuk. This is sad.

So don't think KHL did something good for our hockey. They bring money, of cause, which clubs spend on huge salaries instead of developing hockey schools for young players.

Koltsov Kirill 4 SAL
Lee Chris 4 MMG
Lundin Mike 39 BAR
Bailen Nick 55 DMN
Gunderson Ryan 13 JOK
Hersley Patrik 6 SIB
Dallman Kevin 38 BAR
Gilroy Matthew 97 ATL
Zaitsev Nikita 22 CSK
Quint Deron 2 TRK
Shchitov Nikita 42 SCH
Nikulin Ilya 5 AKB
Kulyash Denis 28 AVG
Hietanen Juuso 11 TOR
Wilson Clay 5 SCH
Larsen Philip 3 UGR
Kronwall Staffan 27 LOK
Denisov Denis 6 CSK
Kuteikin Andrei 45 SKA
Genoway Charles 5 DRG
Kolar Jan 29 ADM
Flood Mark 36 MDV
Lepisto Sami 18 AVT
Robinson Mat 37 DYN
Eronen Teemu 21 NKH
Gustafsson Erik 26 AVG
Sersen Michal 8 SLV
Ozhiganov Igor 92 SIB
Antipin Viktor 9 MMG
Redlihs Krisjanis 9 DRG
Kutuzov Alexander 45 SAL
Lajunen Ville 47 JOK
Sergeyev Andrei 4 UGR
Holos Jonas 7 LOK
Whitney Ryan 19 SCH
Nemec Ondrej 28 ATL
Berezin Maxim 5 NKH
Heshka Shaun 26 ADM
Carle Mathieu 77 MDV
Krajicek Lukas 25 DMN
Alexeyev Konstantin 20 SIB
Todd Daine 3 JOK
Vishnevsky Ivan 9 SAL
Heikkinen Ilkka 49 SAL
Shefer Andrei 18 SEV
Chudinov Maxim 73 SKA
Cibulskis Oskars 44 DRG
Pepelyaev Alexei 70 TOR
Vishnevsky Dmitry 55 DYN
Kondratyev Maxim 63 TRK

Now, this is just stupid.

If foreigners were banned from the KHL would Russian defensemen suddenly become better?

 

[jimstark]

We can forget Ovi or Kucherov now

Will he bring in Emelin if Montreal loose ?

I hope so we need him

I like him a lot and i think he can be a good leader for our deffence

 

[DenisB8]

Now, this is just stupid.

If foreigners were banned from the KHL would Russian defensemen suddenly become better?

No I think he means if there are less foreign defensemen in the league, the russian defensemen could get more top line ice time, which would in theory help them improve. So you could play the younger 18-20 year old defensemen more frequently on the lower lines and trough that they would get better and move up to the top d-line. That's the theory, if it works is a different question.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

I think that as Atas said many of you need to read less of the negative stuff "journalists" and "fans" fill the runet with and watch more games.

 

[Peter25]

No I think he means if there are less foreign defensemen in the league, the russian defensemen could get more top line ice time, which would in theory help them improve.

They have to earn their icetime by practicing harder and becoming better players. They should not be given ice time on a platter.

Having guys like Hietanen and Lee is good because they give young guys some good example. Zubov learned a lot from guys like Fetisov and Kasatonov too when he was young.

 

[DenisB8]

They have to earn their icetime by practicing harder and becoming better players. They should not be given ice time on a platter.

Having guys like Hietanen and Lee is good because they give young guys some good example. Zubov learned a lot from guys like Fetisov and Kasatonov too when he was young.

Yeah I just summarized what he probably meant with that statement. I also think that it would not work out like this, and I am not against foreign defensemen in the KHL. You should work your tail of for the chance to get some ice time on the professional level. If it gets handed to you on a silver plate you will not put any work in to get better, because you already are getting everything for free.

 

[Atas2000]

We have week defence.
Speaking of KHL, here is list of 50 best defencemen based on points(goal+assist).

And that is a good method to evaluate defencemen?

I counted only 18 of 50 can play for team Russia. Others are foreigners. And IMHO only Zaycev, Denisov, Kuteikin could improve our defence. KHL=lack of good defencemen for national team.

It's no secret we have trouble developing defencemen recently(Provorov, out top D prospect for the upcoming NHL draft is basically not russian trained). So nothing surprising about these numbers. And then again people who say we should get rid of the foreigner limit amaze me. We do have enough skilled foreigners in the league obviously. No need to bring in more.

I already hinted at the flaw in your logic evaluating defencemen. I think most people here know why Koltsov is not on the NT, while he scores a lot of points.

And yes, Zaytsev was basically the top russian D-man in the league last season. But I have a question for you. How is it KHL's fault? We don't have an iron curtain for players. Have you tried to analyze where russiand D-prospects are playing? Where are the top guys friom our recent WJC squads? I'll give you names: Marchenko, Nesterov, Orlov. Just to name a few who could reinforce the KHL right now. Then there are a lot of guys who are even younger but already in NA. It's not like Russia doesn't develop defencemen at all. They just all bolt to North America. And the KHL should continue to develop to stop that. If you look at the KHL now there are only second tier D-prospects or older guys which never were good enough for the NT level. Too few D-men overall means nearly all of them play in NA and especially this season are not available for the WC.

In year 2000 we had about 90 NHL'ers

Because we didn't have a proper league at home. This was the golden era for the NHL when they succesfully plundered all Europe and Russia for players because there were no proper leagues other than the NHL.

and about 10 teams equipped with players eligible to play in national team. No foreigners. Still Magnitogorsk, Dinamo, Loko and Lada were among best european teams in euroleague,

What's the point of being the best among the worst? The level of that euroleague was laughable compared even to russian teams of that time. Winning there didn't mean much.

and our U20 team played in world junior finals almost every year.

So what? Our recent WJC teams aren't performing any worse.

Now we holding on at the international level thanks to Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk and Kovalchuk. This is sad.

OMG! It's so sad we play the superstars in their prime(except Datsyuk) on our national team.

So don't think KHL did something good for our hockey. They bring money, of cause, which clubs spend on huge salaries instead of developing hockey schools for young players.

Shortsighted at best. As for spending money on players, just So we should become NHL's farm and develop players so they can leave and play for some american fans in the middle of the night? Great!