Dan Rosen ‏@drosennhl 1h

Malkin had to tell Bilyaletdinov to get Bobrovsky off the ice. Malkin had to tell the coach. I repeat, Malkin had to tell the coach.
- jmatchett383

That was a fair criticism at the time by Eddie O on TV. The Russians needed 2 goals and didn't get Bob to the bench until the 1:10 mark.

I agree about many of the Russian stars. They need to develop players who have a more all around game and are willing to be physical. Not 'open ice hit' physical. 'Win puck battles behind the net' physical.

You look at all the stars and talent they had and it was really only Datsyuk and Radulov who stood out.
- PhillySportsGuy

Radulov stood out, but sometimes (the US game) it was because he did take stupid, undisciplined penatlies. Granted, only 1 game, but, well, there ya go.

They absolutely do. Russians just get viewed generally as one-way players who are only concerned with finesse and don't care to learn to play good defense. And, to an extent, I think that's the case more often with Russians that N.A. or Scandinavian players.
- jmatchett383

Ironically, two of the very best defensive forwards of the last 20+ years happen to be Russian.

I don't know about that, but where I work, the entire building was shaken after a loud clap of thunder.
- johndewar

I was in a cab, and I think it was thunder and lightning. Haven't heard anything about a quake.

Radulov stood out, but sometimes (the US game) it was because he did take stupid, undisciplined penatlies. Granted, only 1 game, but, well, there ya go.
- jmatchett383

I believe he played on a line with Datsyuk as well. THat may have helped. Without Datsyuk, it could have been even more embarrassing. He bailed them out on countless occasions.

Ironically, two of the very best defensive forwards of the last 20+ years happen to be Russian.
- johndewar

Agreed, Brindy and Lehtinen were the exceptions. Damn good Russian players.

But yeah, both Datsyuk and Fedorov (I'm assuming) were fantastic 2-way players. Both were fairly physical when needed, as well.

Agreed. I'm always down for a good laugh, but the "Lazy Russians, not as tough as those hard working Canadian boys" narrative is beyond old.
- BulliesPhan87

It's like they go out of their way to only bring over the most gifted finesse guys, then their coaches poop all over them for not being willing to dump and chase, and TV guys poop all over them because they don't play like Shane Doan.

Argue with creationists
- PhillySportsGuy

Steve Politi ‏@StevePoliti 10m
Best two questions for Russian coach so far: "How guilty are you feeling?" and "Is it a catastrophe?"

Panaccio made it to Russia?
- PhillySportsGuy

First question should have been:
"So what are they wearing in the Gulag this time of year?"

Agreed, Brindy and Lehtinen were the exceptions. Damn good Russian players.

But yeah, both Datsyuk and Fedorov (I'm assuming) were fantastic 2-way players. Both were fairly physical when needed, as well.
- jmatchett383

It's like they go out of their way to only bring over the most gifted finesse guys, then their coaches poop all over them for not being willing to dump and chase, and TV guys poop all over them because they don't play like Shane Doan.
- Tomahawk

It does feel like they bring an all-star team and Finland brings everyone who ever played hockey. No wait. Finland brings a bunch of guys from a system where players know their roles, accept them, and put team first. It's what Teemu said post-game, but it's true. And as Tuukka said, sometimes injuries focus you and get everyone going in the same direction (paraphrased).

It's like they go out of their way to only bring over the most gifted finesse guys, then their coaches poop all over them for not being willing to dump and chase, and TV guys poop all over them because they don't play like Shane Doan.
- Tomahawk

That's probably a more accurate depiction, that it's the team construction as opposed to individual play. Heck, if the US brought a team full of Patrick Kane's, they'd have the same problem.

First question should have been:
"So what are they wearing in the Gulag this time of year?"

- BiggE

I really hope they don't hang the guy. I mean that literally and figuratively.

?
- aightwebang17

Excellent research there, sir.

I really hope they don't hang the guy. I mean that literally and figuratively.
- PhillySportsGuy

Ironically, two of the very best defensive forwards of the last 20+ years happen to be Russian.
- johndewar

10 best defensive forwards I ever saw, in no particular order

Bob Gainey
Craig Ramsey
Bobby Clarke
Dave Poulin
Craig MacTavish
Guy Carbonneau
Jere Lehtinen
Sergei Federov
Pavel Datsyuk
Patrice Bergeron

I really hope they don't hang the guy. I mean that literally and figuratively.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would bet the NHL guys will be leaving on the first plane. I wouldn't want to stick around for the post-tournament "pep talk" from Putin.

I would bet the NHL guys will be leaving on the first plane. I wouldn't want to stick around for the post-tournament "pep talk" from Putin.
- bodiva88

They probably had a chartered jet on the runway by the time the 2nd period was over!

That's probably a more accurate depiction, that it's the team construction as opposed to individual play. Heck, if the US brought a team full of Patrick Kane's, they'd have the same problem.
- jmatchett383

Ah, sorry, was referring to anti-Russian bias in NA in general, not specifically the Olympics.

I think Russia and Canada have similar problems... they have such a surplus of talent/skill/star-power, that it's difficult politically to leave any of those guys at home, when probably they should be going all Herb Brooks and choosing the right players over the best ones.

It does feel like they bring an all-star team and Finland brings everyone who ever played hockey. No wait. Finland brings a bunch of guys from a system where players know their roles, accept them, and put team first. It's what Teemu said post-game, but it's true. And as Tuukka said, sometimes injuries focus you and get everyone going in the same direction (paraphrased).
- bodiva88

The best lines in hockey usually contain one guy who goes 'the dirty work.' Goes to the net, wins board battles. I have a hard time finding 1 Russian player who does that.

The best lines in hockey usually contain one guy who goes 'the dirty work.' Goes to the net, wins board battles. I have a hard time finding 1 Russian player who does that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Datsyuk is pretty much it

I would bet the NHL guys will be leaving on the first plane. I wouldn't want to stick around for the post-tournament "pep talk" from Putin.
- bodiva88

I know. I wrote earlier that the NHL players from Russia must be really happy they play in the NHL right now.

Russian coach said he's leaving Sochi now and will not stay to see the end of the tournament.

I think the Russians were also hurt by a pretty weak defensive corps. In the heyday of Soviet hockey guys like Fetisov and Kasatonov were absolute beasts, on the level of a Suter or Weber. They have no one remotely like that today.

Datsyuk is pretty much it
- BiggE

Kulemin isn't a bad two-way player either.

The best lines in hockey usually contain one guy who goes 'the dirty work.' Goes to the net, wins board battles. I have a hard time finding 1 Russian player who does that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Danny Markov