Tuvanhillbilly 3.0

Tip ‘o the mouse to Kukla’s Korner and OFB for noticing this great interview with Fedorov after practice yesterday, from Caps 365. Watch it through to the end.

I’m not going to comment on Igor Larin’s previous delirious ramblings posing as sports reporting, I’ll leave that to Slava Malamud. Instead, I’ll just give you this Q&A between Igor and Viktor Fedorov, Sergei’s dad, whose seems to have about the clearest picture of the current Caps goaltending situation. 

 

12/22/2008Viktor Fedorov/Igor Larin

 Viktor Fedorov: “Varlamov the Hostage”

After a short break, one of the most discussed experts of Sport Express, father of the most eminent Russian born player in the history of the NHL, Sergei Fedorov, and distinguished Russian coach Viktor Fedorov has rejoined us here on “SE Internet” 

The elder Fedorov has always been extremely forthright with our readers. Almost all of his publications have been translated in North America and have caused lively discussions. Moreover, in some cases, for example when Sergei Fedorov was switched to defense in Detroit, and when he moved to Anaheim and was traded to Columbus, his father was able to have some influence on the situation and accelerate the decision-making process via Sport Express.

Time marches on, but the elder Fedorov remains unchanged and is as extremely frank as he always was, as confirmed in this conversation with SE reporter Igor Larin.

Viktor, for the last few days Russian fans have been actively discussing the situation on your older son’s team. Young goalkeeper Simeon Varlamov was excellent in his two debut games, but didn’t prove anything to the management of the Washington Capitals and was sent back to the farm club. But the next day, the goalkeepers who beat out Varlamov, Theodore and Johnson, let in seven shots.

Frankly speaking, I don’t understand why Varlamov’s transfer to Hershey has caused such a fuss in Russia. From the very start of his career in Washington the status of our rookie was precisely defined– he was number three. And status in the NHL is no joke. A contract here does not guarantee you a certain amount of game time. (more…)

Over on the “On Frozen Blog” site this morning they have a translation of an interview with Feds after the Ottawa game Friday night. The original article appeared in today’s edition of Sovietsky Sport. Every time I read an interview with Fedorov I am impressed by his humility, professionalism and sense of humor. Why yes, Ovechkin was getting bored without you Semin.

Photo: AP

Over on the Alex Ovetjkin site there is a translation of an interview with Fedorov published in today’s Sovietsky Sport, in which he indicates he will be back on the ice soon. He also (no surprise here) really, really likes it in Washington. Check it out.  We love you too, Feds!

10 September 2008 Slava Malamud

Sergei Fedorov: “I’ll Be Playing Forward…. I Hope”

On the threshold of the start of the 2008/2009 regular season, six of our superstar players answered some questions from Slava Malamud, special correspondent for Sport Express in North America. (more…)

9/5/2008 P. Lysenkov

photo: P. lysenkov

I know everyone is clamoring for some “real” hockey news, and Lord knows I never wanted to be the Perez Hilton of hockey. So while waiting for the NHL season to start, I’ve decided to put in some news from the Russian KHL league. The article below appeared in the 5 September issue of Soviet Sport, and besides just being an interesting read on the state of the KHL, does have a slight Capital’s connection– Morozov’s mention that he really wanted to get a picture of himself with Fedorov, but only ended up with the official team photo. I certainly hope he gets the chance to meet up with Feds and get the picture. Anyway, enjoy some “real” hockey news. (more…)

14 May 2008 P. Lysenkov

Team Russia Forward Sergei Fedorov: These aren’t the Swiss–they’re substitutes!

With a magnificent shot from eight meters out, Sergei Fedorov scored the game winning fourth goal in the match against Switzerland (5:3). After the game,

Photo: P. Lysenkov

Sergei didn’t hang around in the mixed zone, but he did offer to talk to your Soviet Sport correspondent about Switzerland–our quarterfinal rivals–in the hotel Concorde immediately after dinner.
“THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE ATTACK”

To tell the truth, my colleague Vitaly Slavin  and I had made a plan of attack for this interview that would make Napoleon proud. We wanted to do a major interview with him based on questions from the Soviet era. Just for the fact alone that he is debuting in the World Championships at 38 years old makes him worthy enough to have sonnets composed about him.

Then Fedorov cruelly burst our bubble.

“Well, no, I’m only going to talk about the Swiss. If I start stirring up the past my brain will start running backwards. I have to look forward so I won’t lose my concentration. The playoffs are just around the corner.”

Sergei sat down at the table and placed a large glass of blueberries in front of him and started talking, popping a berry into his mouth after every question.

“I am very surprised that for the first two periods the Swiss stood in front of their blue line and didn’t even think about coming on the attack. I’ve never seen anything like it,” shrugged Fedorov “And then in the third period they formed up

and starting attacking in earnest.”

Maxim Sushinsky said that during the second period you told everyone in the locker room “This is it, the Swiss have started preparing for the quarterfinals. You can read them like a book”.

“What I said was “These aren’t the Swiss that we know. These are substitutes.” (more…)

11 May 2008

Fedorov: The Ice is Like Sandpaper

After a strong-willed victory over the Swedes, Russian National Team forward Sergey Fedorov noted that his interaction with his line partners is improving.

-”Today I was able to control the puck in our zone, receive a pass from a defender and find the wingers” said Fedorov. “Believe it or not, the ice is like sandpaper, which keeps slowing the puck down. You have to constantly look and feel what is going on down below. This is a major distraction, and since the rink is small you can’t develop a large attack.” (more…)

3 May 2008 Regina Sevostyanova

A goal is a goal. What difference does it make how it goes in

Exclusive to Championat.ru

Definitely, the best players (as much as one can determine such a thing from the results of the utter destruction of one of the outsiders in the first game of the Russian national team in the World championship against Italy (7-1)) turned out to be our first “Washington” line of Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Sergei Fedorov. (more…)

4/29/2008 Damir Khairetdinov

Kimmo Timmonen: “Ovechkin is a great player”

After the second game in the Montreal-Philadelphia series, (in which the home team was able to even out the series at 1-1), a large group of reporters (including local ones) gathered in the locker room. Since it was expected that press access to the players would be tightened up, many started to grumble that the NHL bureaucrats apparently couldn’t arrange anything in a humane manner. (more…)