BYKOV: OVECHKIN AND KOVALCHUK COULD BLOW UP NHL!

The head coach of the Russian hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov commented on recent state of things in the national Olympic team.


This interview took place several minutes after the match Sibir vs. Salavat Yulaev, when Ufa club put an end to their three-match losing streak. It was clear that the coach was very glad with this victory.

One of the main themes of the week is injury of Russia’s third goalkeeper and Washington first-choice goalie Semyon Varlamov, who said in an interview that pain in his knee doesn’t let him normally train.

"I want to underline that national team’s coaches never put players in order of their importance", said Bykov. "We are united team, and Semyon is not the first or the third goalie, he is just a goalkeeper of the Russian national team".

"As for his state of health, of course our coaching staff is worried about it. If goalkeeper cannot return to action because of injury for so long period of time, it’s an alarm signal".

"I am planning to call Semyon to Washington soon to clear up the situation. In any case I hope that everything will be all right since we have three weeks before the Olympic games".

"I am optimistic person and I would like to tell Varlamov: "Semyon, don’t worry. Remember that we are waiting for you".

"You know our enlarge list of candidates to the Olympic roster. Alexandr Eremenko will be among other players and reservists, who will gather for the last pre-Olympic training camp on February 9".

"Alexandr Ovechkin made his 2000th shot on goals and made it much quicker than the previous record-holder of the league, and I am not surprised with this fact. Ovechkin is a real goal machine and hunter for the puck".

"Many people are concerned about situation with new contract of Ilya Kovalchuk with Atlanta, and I am sure that this question will be decided in Ilya’s favour. I have no doubts that he will chose the best variant from hockey and financial points of view".

"If Ilya joins Ovechkin, it would be a real sensation. These guys would blow up NHL! Chances of this exchange are minimal, however this variant is very interesting".