Ovechkin On Goalies

After Saturday night's 4-2 win over the Blackhawks, Sport-Express's Natalia Shemleva caught up with Alex Ovechkin to talk netminders (translation via The Morning Skate, which also has Slava Malamud's interview with Nikolai Khabibulin):

Were you surprised that Khabibulin was Chicago’s goalkeeper instead of Huet?

“Last year when we played against Chicago and Khabibulin stood in the goal, we lost 5-0. I think today he was the best player on the visiting team, but luck was on our side.”

Before each game with Atlanta, you make a joking commitment to goalkeeper Kari Lehtonen about how many times you will score. Did you make a promise (Friday)?

“I said that I would score a goal, but it did not happen.”

Did you make a promise like that to Khabibulin today?

“No, Khabibulin was not promised.”

Perhaps your unexpected goals lowered his market value.

“His market value? He is not just some vegetable or fruit in the market. Khabibulin is one of the best goalkeepers in the league, as is Chicago’s other goalkeeper Huet, who was in Washington last year at the end of the season.”

Would you not like to see that one of the best goalkeepers league was yet another Russian player in the Washington?

“I wish — I do not want to, it’s not for me to decide. We have two excellent goalkeepers. And we have [farmhand Simeon] Varlamov, who may come here at any time. He’s available to play in the N.H.L., he simply needs to adapt to hockey here. And this is only a matter of time.”

Cherry: Ovechkin Is "Best Player In The World"

A tip of the hat to Tuvan Hillbilly for translating an interview that Sport-Express's Slava Malamud did recently with Don Cherry.

Highlights include:

• On Alexander Ovechkin: "I really like Ovechkin. He plays like you have to play hockey. He has speed, he shoots, he hits… I think that he is the best player in the world."
• On Team Russia at the World Championships: "I am always impressed when a team plays strongly and with passion. This might be the influence of Ovechkin."
• On Sergei Fedorov (sort of): "He is good. Fedorov, Larionov—I like them. But Ovechkin stands alone. He is following in Bure’s footsteps—the best Russian."

Sport-Express Interview With Brashear

Thanks to HFBoards poster (and Rink Reader) artilector for the following translation (which originally appeared here) of a good bit of the interview Sport-Express's Slava Malamud did recently with Donald Brashear:

SE: What happened in your fight with Laraque [ed. note: watch the fight here]?

B: I underestimated George [Laraque] a bit - didn't take into account his reach. I thought I held him at bay with an extended arm, but it was useless - he was getting every punch through. I thought, damn, that's some reach. It wasn't pretty. Thankfully, the refs didn't jump in right away. That's why I couldn't stay on my knees for too long, so that they wouldn't break up the fight. I knew that I could still set him up for a punch.

SE: Is a knockout blow your principal strength?

B: No, you can never rely on any single thing. Why put everything you have into a single punch? What if you miss? You'll open yourself up, and he'll nail you with a straight. No, you have to pick your spots, and properly set the guy up.

SE: (Asks Brashear about his 97/98 season in Vancouver, when he had 372 PIM in 77 games, almost a fight per game)

B: That's how your earn a reputation. You get put out there when something's brewing, you nail a couple of guys.. After a few games the opponents know that when you're on the ice, better not try anything funny. It breaks up their gameplan and protects our stars. Once a fighter has earned a reputation, his presence mostly prevents fights, instead of provoking them.

SE: Do you have some special trade secrets, or do you rely on your power?

B: Of course, I have [trade secrets]. When I go out to fight, I'm like a forward who's scoring a goal, or a goalie who's blocking a shot. I measure up my opponent, try to recall everything I know about him: punching power, whether he starts out aggressively, or takes his time. Then I come up with a strategy for the fight. Afterwards I analyze it, look for errors, try to remember for the future.

SE: Could you list the main principles that every starting enforcer should know?

B: The main thing, like I said, is to know the opponent, especially his strengths. The other thing is - don't forget defense. Most guys want to just go out there and bury the guy right off the bat. And I think you need to be able to protect yourself.

SE: And how can you do that?

B: If you know which arm the guy prefers to punch with, try to neutralize it. Hold the arm or the shoulder to limit his range of motion. Or, turn away from the punches - let them hit the back of your head, its not as painful.

SE: Who was your toughest opponent?

B: The toughest are all the guys in the league right now. Everybody seems to be huge, with a long reach.

SE: Did you ever fight Andrey Nazarov, the only Russian enforcer?

B: Once.

SE: Do you remember how it went?

B: I remember every fight. Nazarov was not a very good fighter, I never held him in high esteem.

SE: You mean he lacked technique, or power, or has a weak chin?

B: As far as strengh and guts, he was fine. Strong guy, didn't decline fights, was always ready to dance. But technique-wise.. [not so good]