stactum

There are about 37 Russian players in the NHL, some of them are top talent: Dats, Ovi, Malkin, Kovy and many others, so if out of 37 players 5 players have somewhat questionable work ethics - it's easy to call rest of them "lazy", however it's not always true and if you take any nation and look at their players with questionable work ethics you will probably get the same percentage (US, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic); but as far as Russians - they've had some vivid examples: Yashin, Kovalev, Radulov, etc. Would you call Kovalchuk lazy? He is always in top 10 point-wise, had a decent run in the playoffs, but few years back everyone was taling that he is extremely selfish and lazy. I personally would be thrilled to have Semin; I think the whole Red Wings team mentality and dynamics, in addition to Dats influence would make him extremely good player for us. Hey, and remember many of you called Dats playoff bust a few years ago?

Video after the crash... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f18w1DZcom4&feature=player_profilepage

Tampa were outplayed in both games imho, but got both wins. If caps can capitalize they'll win the series.

VAN/CHI: 4-2 SJS/LAK: 4-1 DET/PHX: 4-1 ANA/NSH: 4-3 WAS/NYR: 4-2 PHI/BUF: 4-1 BOS/MTL: 4-2 PIT/TBL: 4-2 WC Champion: DET EC Champion: WAS SCF Champion: WAS

Another good one Adam Deadmarsh

Zelepukin is great! Especially knowing the translation which is nice way of saying green fart.

SJS will realize that Nabokov wasn't their problem in the playoffs, they'll be worse without him.

I have to agree that Sokolova isn't hot at all. I wouldn't even say she is pretty compared to some other Russian choices he would have.

Does anyone do CBS leagues? I'd be very interested.

Could not resist! Must watch!

What kind of picture Afinogenov then suppose to have PS - I read somewhere Ovie said it the "devil in lamb's skin". Kinda cool!

I like Ovechkin's skates!

I hope the humiliation will be much greater than in Torino

Some observations: Some people somehow like Russia for some reasons and somehow dislike Canada for other (crosby) reasons.

American-Russian cheering for Russia! Really would want to see Canada - Russia final where Ovie takes the game over how he did in recent CAPS-PENS game! I actually would be cheering for team USA, but Burke-Wilson combination. With all honesty if US was coach by Bylsma - I think they would've had a better chance!

I'm probably the only one who thinks that Canada's weakness is in coaching.

Agree with you! Kovalev - Prima donna attitude and bad work ethics, I'm glad he is not on the team. Zherdev - constantly underachieving. Doesn't really have good work ethics. Glad he is not on the team. Zubov - good player, haven't played for national team in a LONG period of time. Would be a great addition, but if he is not willing to go as a backup - it also shows somewhat that his attitude isn't there. And at the end of the day - don't fix it if it's ain't broken since Russia won a couple of last WCH I think team management did a good job of not messing around with the base of the team and shuffle just a few utility players and didn't add any locker room cancer.

Stopped reading right there... I kinda want to see Canada VS Russia final with Russia winning!

1. Crosby 2. Puck Fronger 3. Perry 4. Iginla 5. Tootoo

Something tells me that Datsyuk will be 2nd and Malkin 3rd line center on that team First line: OV-Feds-Semin - already played together on WCH Kovy-Dats-Afinogenov - both, kovy and afi aren't responsible in their own end so Dats will help them out Morozov-Malkin-Radulov Zaripov-Kozlov-Zinoviev Markov-Volchenkov Gonchar-Kalinin Tyutin-Grebeshkov Bryzgalov Nabokov Look at this, it's pretty sweet: PP1 Morozov-Malkin-Semin OV-Markov PP2 Afi-Dats-Radulov Kovi-Gonchar

She actually looks good!

A video review when puck is in the net and goal is disallowed. Stupid "Intent to blow the whistle" rule OUT! Red Wings play like a Red Wings!

I totally agree with you. I heard a couple of people who consistently covering CBJ that there is probably more to that story than you see. First of "smaller russian skilled player" isn't exactly Hitch's kind of player and he doesn't like him for some reason. When Filatov played he actually looked pretty good, but playing on the fourth line will not help his development, but apparently coach doesn't trust him and I saw the whole analysis of his ice time and it's ridiculous so basically he wasn't given a chance to prove himself yet. I personally don't think AHL would help him in any way since he is a different kind and team have to be patient with him and give him more ice time and forgive for any rookie mistakes he'll make, but apparently it's not going to happen in CBJ. Potential wise is is similar to Stamkos, but he just haven't had a chance to prove that yet.

Good stuff! I'm in! Can post whenever I see something interesting comes up on russian sport news sites.