Scott92 Posted December 25, 2009 Report Share Posted December 25, 2009 Russia passes on Kovalev, names team OTTAWA - The Russian Olympic team has passed on Alexei Kovalev. Only Senators defenceman Anton Volchenkov was selected to play for Russia when the 23-man roster was announced Friday morning. Kovalev won't be surprised by the news he's not on the team. The 36-year-old told the Sun Tuesday he didn't feel he "had a chance" to make the squad and that team officials were going to "take the guys with more points." The underachieving Kovalev has seven goals and 13 assists this season. He said he wouldn't mind "having the 10 days off." The Senators will update the status of injured captain Daniel Alfredsson Saturday morning before they face the Buffalo Sabres at the HSBC Arena. Alfredsson was wearing a left shoulder brace after the club's 8-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday. He met with club doctors on Christmas Eve. Alfredsson is still expected to be named to the Swedish national team on Sunday. Team Russia: Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix), Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose), Semyon Varlamov (Washington), Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh), Denis Grebeshkov (Edmonton), Dmitri Kalinin (Salavat Ufa), Konstantin Korneyev (CSKA Moscow), Andrei Markov (Montreal), Ilya Nikulin (Ak Bars Kazan), Fedor Tyutin (Columbus), Anton Vonchenkov (Ottawa) Maxim Afinogenov (Atlanta), Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit), Sergei Fedorov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta), Viktor Kozlov (Salavat Ufa), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh), Alexei Morozov (Ak Bars Kazan), Alexander Ovechkin (Washington), Alexander Radulov (Salavat Ufa), Alexander Semin (Washington), Danis Zaripov (Ak Bars Kazan), Sergei Zinoviev (Salavat Ufa). Source: Toronto Sun I am honestly shocked that he got cut from the team. Although he has had a sub-par season, Kovalev is still one of the most talented hockey players to take to the ice. Motivation just has always been his problem. If he cared and gave it his all in every minute of every game, he would never get knocked off the puck. However, I guess considering the quality of the Russians available at their disposal, not having Kovalev won't be a huge deal to them. Yet, it may play as a disadvantage in the locker room. Kovy took it well, and he seems upset ever since leaving the Habs...come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alzimutg Posted December 25, 2009 Report Share Posted December 25, 2009 Source: Toronto Sun I am honestly shocked that he got cut from the team. Although he has had a sub-par season, Kovalev is still one of the most talented hockey players to take to the ice. Motivation just has always been his problem. If he cared and gave it his all in every minute of every game, he would never get knocked off the puck. However, I guess considering the quality of the Russians available at their disposal, not having Kovalev won't be a huge deal to them. Yet, it may play as a disadvantage in the locker room. Kovy took it well, and he seems upset ever since leaving the Habs...come back. Kovalev is getting older and it could be a factor, among others. It's not the first time they ignore him from their team, so I am not surprise. When he is on he can be very good, but when he is off, he is hurting his team more than anything. They did not pick Yashin, Frolov or Zherdev either, mainly cause they might see them as headcases. All of those players have a reputation. Radulov is a ***** in my opinion, but very talentded and young and I guess that work ethic is not a problem in his case. The biguest surprise could be Zubov looking at their lack of depth on defense, but once again, age was most likely a factor in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiLla Posted December 25, 2009 Report Share Posted December 25, 2009 Kovalev not with the Russian squad? Not really a surprise IMO. They still won't have any problems icing a competitive team... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DA_Champion Posted December 25, 2009 Report Share Posted December 25, 2009 We can watch Markov pass the puck to Korneev this coming olympics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habcore Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 Source: Toronto Sun Kovy took it well, and he seems upset ever since leaving the Habs...come back. Oh god please no, I'll agree he is good when he wants to be, but those times are/will be more rare as he gets older, not a person you want your young rookies looking up to. As for russia passing on him can you blame them , they have so much talent to chose from why waste a spot on Kovalev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koreysecord1992 Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 Kovalev is getting older and it could be a factor, among others. It's not the first time they ignore him from their team, so I am not surprise. When he is on he can be very good, but when he is off, he is hurting his team more than anything. They did not pick Yashin, Frolov or Zherdev either, mainly cause they might see them as headcases. All of those players have a reputation. Radulov is a ***** in my opinion, but very talentded and young and I guess that work ethic is not a problem in his case. The biguest surprise could be Zubov looking at their lack of depth on defense, but once again, age was most likely a factor in this case. I don't think Zubov has played for the national team since the '96 World Cup, but I could be mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alzimutg Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 I don't think Zubov has played for the national team since the '96 World Cup, but I could be mistaken. I think you are correct (Wikipedia ), wich is weird considering he always had 40-50 pts season between 1996-2006 (and maybe one year after as weel). He ended up with 71 points in 2006 (Olympic year) and was a Norry trophee finalist. I guess something happened between him and the staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostyHAWK Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 the only way i would bring kovy is if he would take a BIG paycut so if he turns out to be ''kovy as usual'' we can send him on the lower trios and not risk looking like morons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squ1g33 Posted December 27, 2009 Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 Kovy took it well, and he seems upset ever since leaving the Habs...come back. I wish he came back to become our captain for 3 years. I'd sign him for 4M/3M/2M consecutively. After he retires here and rightfully so, gets his 27 retired to the rafters if we win a cup and then have the next "10 year" captain step in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiprusoffk Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Tretiak knows what he is doing. I wouldn't have picked him either.As for retiring Kovalev's number 27???? You have to be kidding, right.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dintrox12 Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 I wish he came back to become our captain for 3 years. I'd sign him for 4M/3M/2M consecutively. After he retires here and rightfully so, gets his 27 retired to the rafters if we win a cup and then have the next "10 year" captain step in. retire Kovalev's sweater??? there are a ton of guys that gave it every night, wore the CH with pride and deserve their sweaters honoured way before you consider the enigma. Shutt, LaPointe, Claude Provost, Toe Blake, Tom Johnson etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squ1g33 Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 retire Kovalev's sweater??? there are a ton of guys that gave it every night, wore the CH with pride and deserve their sweaters honoured way before you consider the enigma. Shutt, LaPointe, Claude Provost, Toe Blake, Tom Johnson etc.. I said if we win a cup. Then yes, his sweater gets retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bastian_mtl Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I wish he came back to become our captain for 3 years. I'd sign him for 4M/3M/2M consecutively. After he retires here and rightfully so, gets his 27 retired to the rafters if we win a cup and then have the next "10 year" captain step in. If 27 were to be retired, I would sooner have it be because of Shayne Corson, not Kovy.....just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codo27 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Russia deserves their inevidible loss for this. He always shines internationally or on any big stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioHab Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Just like Kovalev to respond to this with a 4 goals and 1 assist game. He is so good when properly motivated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourtrax Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I don't understand this snub. Kovalev has been a leader in recent years at international tournaments, he's got the veteran experience that the Russian squad will need, he's used to playing on small ice, and his skill set is still incredibly good for his age. Yes, he's slowed down and isn't the player he once was, but you can't compose your entire team of hot young snipers. You need a calming veteran presence. He was an important part of Russia's team at the last Olympics. I have a feeling that Tretiak may regret this decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phizetheole Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 This seems like a surprise until you look at the forwards that Russia is bringing to the tournament. Where do they have room for a guy who has been underachieving the past few years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.