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#1.
September 6, 2009
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Vacations for KHL’s players ended in the middle of summer
- on July 23 almost all teams opened their training camps. Now, one and
half month later, KHL is ready to drop puck for its second season.
This time organization is a little different, all clubs are divided
to four division by geographical location, rather than ranking. That will
help to save some travel money on huge Russian territories and, hopefully
for KHL administration, will aid to establish rivalry between neighboring
teams.
Overall, every club is going to meet their divisional opponents four
times, and every other team twice, total for 56 matches. Eight best squads
in East and West Conference will advance in Gagarin Cup playoff, where
best two teams will meet in finals.
West Conference East Conference Salary cup for 2009-2010 stayed on the previous level
- maxim 620 millions rubles, minimum 200 millions, however each team have
a right not to count contracts of two players with “Star” status. The parity
in KHL is out of question - Salavat Yulaev, SKA, Lokomotiv, Ak Bars are
having problems to get under cup, and at same time Lada and Vityaz just
recently found enough financing to reach minimum.
1. Alexei Morozov F (Ak Bars) - since returning
from NHL in 2004-05, Alexei became leader and super sniper for Ak Bars.
It's not a coincidence, but eminent Morozov scored lonely goal in game
7 Gagarin Cup final last season.
2. Kevin Dallman D (Barys) - in his first season in KHL Canadian
has rewritten Russian records for defensemen, and overthrown legendary
Vyacheslav Fetisov from pedestal, after scoring 58 points (28+30) in 53
games.
3. Jaromir Jagr F (Avangard) - Czech superstar finished just
eighth in KHL in 2008-09 with 53 points (25+28), but you must remember
that he was playing for falling apart Siberian club.
4. Alexei Yashin F (SKA) - two years in the row took Lokomotiv
to the playoff final, now dreams for better outcome with SKA. By the way,
still getting paid more than $3 millions dollars by New York Islanders
5. Sergei Mozyakin F (Atlant) - 28-years old forward never played
in NHL, but has a remarkable carrier in Russia. Last year he was first
in regular season with 76 points (34+42) in 56 games.
6. Sergei Fedorov F (Metallurg Mg) - his return to Russia was
second biggest news in Russia this summer after Hudler singing. Nobody
expect from veteran miracles, but using unmatchable experience Sergei
could still shine.
7. Vitaly Kolesnik G (Salavat Yulaev) - while fighting for starting
position in Atlant with Ray Emery in 2008-09, Kazakstanstan netminder stopped
94.5% of all shots in 30 games - the best record in whole KHL.
8. Danis Zaripov F (Ak Bars) - playing together with Morozov,
helped Danis improve his scoring touch. Last season - 34 goals and shared
third place in the league.
9. Jan Marek F (Metallurg Mg) - became a scoring machine. Shared
first place in previous KHL season with 35 goals.
10. Alexander Radulov F (Salavat Yulaev) - made a lot of noise
by leaving NHL, but not completely reached expected heights in KHL. Nevertheless,
had a lot of potential to be the best, if could deal with his temper.
11. Alexader Eremenko G (Salavat Yulaev) - the most stable goaltender
for last few years in Russia, could not lead rich Ufa club past first round
of playoff
12. Viktor Kozlov F (Salavat Yulaev) - had a chance to stay NHL,
if not for Ufa’s crazy money offer.
13. Oleg Saprykin F (Dynamo M) - last season could not much his
own record breaking numbers of 2007-08, but even then made a national team
and won World championship.
14. Vitaly Proshkin D (Salavat Yulaev) - one of most reliable
defenseman in Russia - played for national team on six out of seven last
World Championships.
15. Ilya Nikulin D (Ak Bars) - Atlanta Trashers still looking
for magic act to sign skilled defenseman.
16. Vitaly Vishnevsky D (Lokomotiv) - everyone new about Vitaly’s
physical play. In KHL he also started to generate offence - 21 points (8+13)
in 53 matches.
17. Martin Prusek G (Dynamo Riga) - With 8 shutouts, Slovakian
netminder was second in the league. With his phenomenal play, Martin totally
responsible to taking Riga’s club to playoff.
18. Georgy Gelashvili G (Lokomotiv) - First goalie in KHL to
win 30 games per season and then made a trip to Gagarin Cup final.
19. Karel Rachunek D (Dynamo M) - 30-years old czech was best
in Dynamo Moscow in plus/minus category and best among defencemen with
30 points.
20. Yuri Hudler F (Dynamo M) - after limited role with Detroit
Red Wings, will be ready to fulfill his huge contract with Dynamo.
21. Alexei Tereshenko F (Ak Bars) - playing in 2008-09 for Salavat
Yulaev, shared fifth best record in the league with 58 points (29+29) and
earned sport in Russian national team.
22. Maxim Sushinski F (SKA) - keeps rewriting old scoring Soviet
records. For last 12 years never had a season with less than 40 points,
including playoff (exception 2000-01 when he spend fourth month with Minnesota
Wild)
23. Pavel Brenld F (Torpedo) - playing for average team did not
prevent Pavel to share best record in KHL in 2008-09 with 35 goals.
24. Mattias Weinhandl F (Dynamo M) - Swedish forward stand out
during playoff with 16 points (6+10) in 12 contests.
25. Linus Omark F (Dynamo M) - 22-years old winger overgrow Swedish
championship. Ready to prove himself in KHL before moving to America.
26. Johan Harju F (Dynamo M) - last couple years was inseparable
with Omark, improving season by season.
27. Oleg Tverdovsky G (Salavat Yulaev) - the age and injuries
started to take a toll on talented defenseman.
28. Albert Leschev F (SKA) - 38-years old veteran refuse to slow
down, still can make a perfect pass.
29. Vasily Koshechkin G (Lada) - Man among boys, Vasily continues
to stay in Togliatti, where because of financial difficalties roster reminds
junior hockey team.
30. Sergei Zinoviev F (Salavat Yulaev) - great talent, hard personality.
Hopefully head coach Bykov knows the road to Zinoviev’s heart.
31. Alexander Korolyuk F (SKA) - after a slow start for Atlant
last year, picked up in the second half. Exploding speed and deadly shot
is perfect combination for underachieving SKA.
32. Oleg Kvasha F (Atlant) - Experience and size made Oleg very
noticeable on any team.
33. Richard Zednik F (Lokomotiv) - after 13 years in NHL will
have to fill shoes left by Yashin in Yaroslavl.
34. Robert Esche G (SKA) - nine shutouts gave him best record
in KHL last season
35. Denis Kulyash D (CSKA) - still own the hardest slapshot in
Russia. Improved skating and lowered his temper.
36. Martin Gerber G (Atlant) - could follow the “Emery Route”
- one year in KHL and back to NHL.
37. Petr Cajanek F (SKA) - Wishing to get back the scoring touch
in SKA after only 9 goals in Dynamo Moscow last season.
38. Daniil Markov D (Dynamo M) - NHL or KHL, Daniil always will
play until last second and won’t spare himself or any opponent.
39. Ilya Proskuryakov G (Metallurg Mg) - Best rookie of KHL,
made Metallurg’s season worth of reminder.
40. Sergei Zubov D (SKA) - former Dallas Star, he couldn’t believed
himself, that he again in Russia. Must forget about last year injuries
and return to previous shape.
41. Alexander Perezhogin F (Salavat Yulaev) - 28 goals and 24
assists last season but still not much talk about former Montreal Canadian.
42. Alexander Svitov F (Avangard) - having problems with scoring,
but remains the heart and soul of Omsk team.
43. Dmitry Kalinin D (Salavat Yulaev) - always played much better
for Russian national team than in NHL. Having Vyacheslav Bykov as head
coach will eased transaction to KHL.
44. Stanislav Galimov G (Ak Bars) - young rookie outplayed last
season Wade Dubielewicz and will again fight for starting position on the
champion squad.
45. Zbynek Irgl F (Lokomotiv) - scored a lot playing with Yashin,
now must prove that he could do it without him.
46. Ray Giroux G (SKA) - moving from Ak Bars to SKA was not the
best step for Canadian defenseman carrier.
47. Andrei Nikolishin F (Traktor) - Despite being 36 years old,
veteran still managed to have a best production among teammates in Chelyabinsk
- 39 points (10+29) in 48 contests.
48. Branko Radivojevic F (Spartak) - Slovakian forward became
a go-to guy in Moscow club.
49. Niko Kapanen F (Ak Bars) - Improved in every aspect after
coming from NHL.
50. Andrei Pervyshin D (Ak Bars) - 24-years old almost double
his production in 2008-09 compare to previous seasons - 27 points (6+21)
vs 14 (7+7).
Get close to get in the list: Sergei Brylin F (SKA), Dmitriy Bykov D
(Atlant), Robert Esche G (SKA), Karri Ramo G (Avangard), Alexei Zhitnik
D (Dynamo M), Marcel Hossa F (Dynamo R), Sandis Ozolinsh D (Dynamo Riga),
Yevgeny Varlamov D (Metallurg Mg), Ìèõàèë Âàðíàêîâ F (Torpedo), Îëåã Ïèãàíîâè÷
D (Traktor)
Our coaches' ranking are based on their latest achievements
and experience. Of 24 head coaches, 16 are Russian, two from Canada and
Czech Republic, one from Finland, Latvia, Slovakia, and USA. Oldest is
Czech tutor from Avtomobilist Ekaterenburg Marek Sykora, who will celebrate
his 61st Birthday on November 11, 2009. Youngest one is forme NHL tough-guy
35-years old Andrei Nazarov, working with Traktor Chelyabinsk already third
season.
Predictions. Who will be fired first? In 2008-09 first coach's firing in KHL came just two
weeks after season started (Gersonsky, Avangard). This year, in our opinion,
in dangers to be a first victim are Dmitriy Parkhomenko (Metallurg Nk),
Anatoly Emelin (Amur), Mike Krushelnyski (Vityaz), Barry Smith (SKA), and
Sergei Nemchinov (CSKA)
Arenas of Continental Hockey League
* - Minsk is in the process of building of new ice arena
for World Championship 2014, that will have a capacity of 15000 seats.
By KHL rules, the minimum capacity of home arena for any team is 5500
seats. However, the league never informed that law, just keep threatening
Lada Togliatti of expelling. There are also some exceptions - for
city with population less then 100000 people, the arena also could be less
the minimum number. This rules is applied to Vityaz from small Moscow region
city Chekhov. 04.09.2009
Dmitry Parkhomenko: We all have got tired of migration of hockey players This summer the head coach of "Metallurgist" Novokuznetsk Dmitry Parkhomenko also had to perform functions of the general manager. He was responsible for a signing players for main "Metallurg', and also for junior team "Kuznetsk bears". Parkhomenko was able to save most of the players from last season and, as result, they helped “Metallurg” to win its first tournament in six years, taking first place at Belosokhov’s Memorial in Novosibirsk. 36-years Parkhomenko, thirds youngest coach in KHL, answered a few questions for league website. - Dmitry, this summer was different for you team comparing to last
years. It was quiet, this time “Metallurg” did not lose two dozens players
and accordingly did not sign 20 new guys. What happened on the transfer
market?
- What do you think about KHL changing format of regular season,
moving teams to four divisions by geographical location?
- Did you received from club administration the main target
for “Metallurg” for upcoming season?
Facts from KHL Review: In 2008-09 Metallurg Novokuznetsk had a great start, however slowly team slipped in standing and finished 21 place with +17(5)-31-8, 24 points behind playoff zone. Parkhomenko took over head coach position in May, replacing legendary Boris Mikhailov, who decided not to extend his contract. Prediction from KHL Review: Metallurg did not improve its line-up and basically did not have any chances to make playoff this year. As well, Parkhomenko is main candidate to become first fired coach in KHL in 2009-2010. |
