- Your season is over a long time ago. What did you do all this time?
- We had a team meeting where we said goodbye to the guys, packed up and flew away.
- What were they talking about at the meeting?
- There was no such general meeting in the usual form. The general manager met with the guys, each talked separately. He asked about plans and how to spend this summer. They didn’t talk about hockey.
- But really did not discuss the past championship?
- We were thanked for the season. They said they were hoping for my help next year.
- Ovechkin, when he arrived, expressed his wish that the Pittsburgh drop out of the playoffs as soon as possible, you and Gonchar flew into the national team, and Crosby stayed home.
“So it happened, as he said.” Ovechkin and I talked about this topic. He asked me to bring a gift to him.
- Which one?
- Lollipops.
“Why did Crosby stay at home?”
- I was very surprised. We talked with Sidney. He said he would think more, but so far he has no desire to play.
- He has no fracture?
- We did not discuss this topic, we saw a little time. And injuries were not discussed. He simply said that he would still think. But so far, it seems, he has not given an exact answer.
“So it might still come?”
- Judging by the conversation, it is unlikely.
- They thought for a long time whether to go to Moscow, considering how you left the country?
“I didn’t want to spend so much time in America.” And it was necessary to return, but I missed everyone. I had to go. Yes, and the World Cup in Moscow. I want to play for the national team.
“Aren't you afraid that they will take you away?” You have an unresolved problem with the army?
“They haven’t taken me yet.”
“So you have not left the airport either.”
- I hope that everything will be fine.
- Have you heard that juniors won the world championship?
- Yes, Igor Tuzik told me about this. I am very happy. Well done boys.
- Were your parents in America with you?
- No, they are in Magnitogorsk. They will come to the world championship.
- You need to immediately appear in Novogorsk. Evening workout. Didn’t want to be given time to relax, to meet friends?
- There is not much time left before the World Cup. Here we win the tournament, then I will meet with everyone.
- Have you heard about the story with Semin?
“I heard, but I can’t say anything.” He did not give an interview, I do not know what happened.
- You will play in the first link. Not afraid of pressure?
“No one is pressing me yet.”
- But in the playoffs you did not seem to play very convincingly.
- We met with the Canadian team, and there they know how to put pressure on hockey players. Constantly stories on TV about you, in the newspapers write about weaknesses. There is real pressure.
Alexey Shevchenko