Russia's new coach: Oleg Znarok [not officially confirmed]

[Canuck21t]

Is it bad I want Bykov back?

Why? Was he not as bad in Vancouver 2010?

 

[ToewsGretzky*]

If this turns out true,it would be great for Russian hockey, with Znaroks coaching style he could make Russia unstoppable.

It takes more than a coach to make a team unstoppable.

 

[Fantomas]

The fact that you don't know about them does not mean they couldn't exist.

They don't exist.

 

[Fantomas]

Znarok, just like Bill, won't be able to do anything without giving his team a long grueling preseason. Same mistake as hiring Bilyaletdinov. Best club coach != best national team coach.

Long grueling preseason is not necessary. Better player development is necessary at all levels. When Russia begins developing star defensemen they might have a genuine gold medal contender on their hands.

As things stand, neither Znarok nor Bill nor anyone can turn this turd into gold.

 

[russianhockey]

now its official, znarok signed a 4 year deal. fromer Dynamo GM Safronov will be the new GM of team russia

 

[premadonna]

Shoul've picked an NHL coach instead, but politics, I guess...

 

[VladNYC*]

Shoul've picked an NHL coach instead, but politics, I guess...

Why? One that knows none of the Russian players, the language,the systems or anything about how hockey works in Russia? I don't care if it's a Russian or not but it has to be a coach out of the KHL.

 

[An Argument For]

Why? One that knows none of the Russian players, the language,the systems or anything about how hockey works in Russia? I don't care if it's a Russian or not but it has to be a coach out of the KHL.

This is one of the fundamental flaws of the Russian Hockey mindset. It's so isolationist. That's fine if that how they want to run the KHL and the domestic leagues but we're talking about international tournaments. You need a coach that knows how to coach at the highest level of hockey and how to coach international hockey.. not russian hockey, not KHL hockey.

Ted Nolan, as far as I know, has never coached in Europe, the KHL, or Latvia but he did a damn good job coaching them at the Olympics. Ralph Kreuger wasn't exactly a stud NHL coach but he sure helped the Swiss National teams, and ultimately the 2014 Olympic Team. The best coach is the best coach...

 

[Jussi]

This is one of the fundamental flaws of the Russian Hockey mindset. It's so isolationist. That's fine if that how they want to run the KHL and the domestic leagues but we're talking about international tournaments. You need a coach that knows how to coach at the highest level of hockey and how to coach international hockey.. not russian hockey, not KHL hockey.

Ted Nolan, as far as I know, has never coached in Europe, the KHL, or Latvia but he did a damn good job coaching them at the Olympics. Ralph Kreuger wasn't exactly a stud NHL coach but he sure helped the Swiss National teams, and ultimately the 2014 Olympic Team. The best coach is the best coach...

He's been their coach since 2011. Though not with great results, Latvia finished 10th and 11th at the Worlds in 2012 and 2013.

 

[RobertR]

He's been their coach since 2011. Though not with great results, Latvia finished 10th and 11th at the Worlds in 2012 and 2013.

Who cares about worlds. Its not best of the best tournament.

 

[An Argument For]

He's been their coach since 2011. Though not with great results, Latvia finished 10th and 11th at the Worlds in 2012 and 2013.

Will, they're not bad results either..

I mean.. it is Latvia we're talking about. Their national team is just Dinamo Riga, and there's only soo much you can accomplish with a low-level KHL team.

 

[Jussi]

Will, they're not bad results either..

I mean.. it is Latvia we're talking about. Their national team is just Dinamo Riga, and there's only soo much you can accomplish with a low-level KHL team.

Who's Will?

Yes, they are bad results. Latvia has been a perennial quarterfinal team at Worlds so to go from that to relegation stage is a drop. Though considering Latvia's previous national team core has grown old or retired and there hasn't been exactly similar replacements from new players, it could have happened without Nolan as well. Riga hasn't been as helpful as hoped. If a player has a breakout season, they quickly move to bigger KHL teams and have to be replaced by foreigners.

 

[Theokritos]

Ralph Kreuger wasn't exactly a stud NHL coach but he sure helped the Swiss National teams, and ultimately the 2014 Olympic Team. The best coach is the best coach...

How does that serve you as an argument? Krueger coached in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from 1989-2010 without having coached in North America, not to speak of the NHL. He helped the Swiss National Team with no experience at the highest level of hockey in your terms.