"You can catch the enemy on the counter": Havanov about the match Russia - Sweden, the results of Kucherov and the future of Gusev in the NHL

- The Russian team is the only team to win six consecutive victories in the tournament. At the moment, wards Ilya Vorobiev show the best hockey among all participants of the championship?

- Naturally. Just so it does not reach. Defeats may be undeserved, but such victories do not exist.

- At the moment, is there a team that showed itself at the tournament as impressively as the Russian team?

- I like the Swedes and the Finns, despite the fact that they play different hockey. “Tre Kronur” prefer to control the puck, and Suomi takes focus, excitement and speed.

- What can you say about the North American teams?

- Canadian and US teams brought to Slovakia not the strongest teams, but they should not be underestimated either. Speaking of representatives of Octet B, with the exception of outsiders, all teams show a hockey higher level than I expected from them. The same Czechs demonstrate their motivation, and this is the most important thing. Such teams are extremely hard to resist.

- At the moment, the Russians held two meetings with direct competitors and in both they got the best with a score of 3: 0. In them, the charges of Vorobiev showed their maximum?

- Hard to say. The Russian national team did not miss, therefore, it did not turn out in situations when something was not going according to plan. At the same time, the Czechs had some good moments, but Vasilevsky came to the rescue. Therefore, it is inclined to believe that the maximum speed will be included in those matches when the “red car” is in a difficult position.

“At the same time, it seems that the Russians are seriously superior to their rivals ...”

- In my opinion, the Russian national team had an almost perfect meeting with the Czech Republic. Representatives of each line performed at a very good level.

- The Swiss showed offensive and speed hockey in a match with the Swedes, but with the Russians almost did not show it. What is the reason?

- Apparently, the Russians were ready for such a development of events. Perhaps a similar style suits us more than the Swedes. Sometimes the “third line” loses a sense of danger and simply begins to control the puck instead of acting aggressively in the attack. Wards Vorobiev did not allow such an error in a meeting with the "crusaders".

- Therefore, the Swiss have deliberately chosen the wrong game plan?

- As for the competition speeds, then there are situations where the Russians can give up. But there will not be enough of them so that opponents can count on a final victory.

- Previously, the defense of the Russian national team often became the object of criticism. At this World Cup, the defenders are much more successful?

- I would say that they play more modern, feel confident. Part of the reason for this is the result, but mostly - the experience of playing at tournaments of the highest level. For defenders and goalkeepers, it is essential. After all, the more you find yourself in big situations, the better you will act in the future. For goalkeepers, this is generally paramount, but for defense representatives it is also a significant aspect.

- What do you think specifically about the current defensive line of the Russian national team?

- The team is quite young, but very experienced defense. She plays well, mobile, rather aggressively and, most importantly, reliably. This is good news.

- Over the past ten years in Russia increased the level of defenders?

- I agree. Now the requirements for representatives of the defense seriously changed. Its current representatives are modern defenders of the highest level. I myself acted in this position and is inclined to believe that in my best years I could not compete with them.

- It should be noted, and goalkeeper line. At the moment, in the asset Vorobiev two masterovityh goalkeeper, and nominally the second Alexander Georgiev has not yet missed a single puck in the tournament. Bet on Andrei Vasilevsky fair?

- Of course. Vasilevsky is one of the best, if not the best Russian goalkeeper in the NHL. Therefore, the decision to make it the first number is absolutely justified. But this does not make Georgiyev or Ilya Sorokin worse.

- Such results of Georgiev can force Vorobiev to make a choice in his favor?

- Of course. We see that he gets his playing time and has a chance to prove his professional suitability. But the fact is that on the threshold of such a tournament, every athlete understands that he is not guaranteed a place in the composition. And it does this at the invitation to the national team stage. Having included in the application, the athlete is already highly appreciated. After that, he still has a choice: either to extract from this invaluable experience, or to show his displeasure. In my opinion, the second option is wrong.

- In the Rangers, Georgiev is the replacement of Sweden goalkeeper Henrik Lundquist. If Alexander will be released in the match with the “third line”, this meeting will be more important for him?

- Of course. But this does not mean that for other goalkeepers this match will be less important. In my opinion, this is only a reason for discussion after returning to the club. They will not perform bullets at the gates of each other.

- Like microcoolers rather motivate, or the goalkeeper, on the contrary, can burn out?

- I think that goalkeepers of this level do not have a risk to burn out. This may apply to those people who are expected to incredible accomplishments. Those goalkeepers who are collected in the national teams of Russia and Sweden, are unlikely to be affected. I am sure that this also applies to Ilya Sorokin from CSKA.

- At this tournament, the most formidable Russian bunch is a pair of Nikita Kucherov - Nikita Gusev. Do you agree?

- Sure. They interact perfectly, and it helps them a lot. We are dealing with the best scorers of the regular seasons of the NHL and KHL, who not only act in conjunction, but also are familiar from childhood. It is important that with their results they again force them to talk about themselves, and also make life easier for the national team in the tournament.

- They have not played with each other for a long time, but at the same time demonstrate an incredible understanding on the ice. How is this possible?

- I think the so-called instinct plays an important role here. Usually two people react differently to the same situation. Perhaps, being similar in the manner of hockey thinking, Kucherov and Gusev equally understand many points and know what their partner will do in a particular episode.

- In your opinion, isn’t it worth Tampa Bay seriously thinking about the possible exchange of Gusev from Vegas?

“I think it's not just Lightning.” The rights to Gusev belong to Golden Knights, so they have the right to decide what to do. Now in the NHL as ever demanded talent and technology. Hockey has changed a lot, including in terms of rules, so small athletes have much more opportunities to prove themselves. It's hard for me to imagine that Vegas will refuse Nikita, he is very well suited for the current model.

- Does Gusev have a chance to achieve the same success as Artemy Panarin - another not very big forward?

- Of course. Gusev has the necessary qualities to prove himself in the NHL, namely - technical skills, "physics", talent, hard work. The only question is whether he can apply all this in more difficult conditions.

- Kucherov spent an incredible season in the NHL, now shines in the World Cup. At the moment it can be called the best Russian hockey player?

- Yes, but with a few reservations. First, he is far from being in the first season as one of the best domestic forwards. But there are those who have achieved more in their careers, and also perform longer at the highest level. Now it's up to Tampa Bay. When he can achieve success with them, there will be much less doubt.

- In a match with Switzerland, rivals often tried to provoke Kucherov. In your opinion, will this continue in the future?

- I think that this is not the biggest news for Nikita himself. Being the top scorer of the NHL, you have to deal with this, because your opponents face the task of holding you back.

- Against Kucherov, Alexander Ovechkin does not look very bright. What is the reason for the almost complete lack of goals in the record of the leader of “Washington”?

- It is better to ask him. As long as this does not affect the team’s results, Ovechkin’s poor performance is not a problem. Hockey is a team sport. If the Russian national team becomes a world champion, then it will not make sense to pay attention to it.

- Often, Ovechkin is given a personal guardian who pursues him throughout the half of the site. Do you have the impression that in international matches Alexander is being watched much more closely than in the NHL?

- Probably. Everyone knows his main strong quality. Not surprisingly, rivals pay attention to this. He is always throwing, throwing and will throw. If you allow Ovechkin to do this, it is only a matter of time when the pucks will start to appear in the net. It has been tested for decades.

- Do you think that fatigue could affect his game after the last two seasons?

- I do not associate Ovechkin’s problems with this. I am sure that he was preparing to speak until the end of May. Similar situation with Lundquist. He is older than Alexander, he is 37 years old, but Henrik came here in the status of the first goalkeeper in Sweden and is constantly on the ice. The most important thing in a hockey player is the feeling that he has not played enough. It is always noticeable.

- Many athletes complain about the quality of ice in the arena in Bratislava. Ovechkin used to throw in touch, so for him this factor may be of particular importance. Perhaps his poor performance is related to this?

- In the NHL stands 31 teams, and on the site of each of them different ice. If we take this into account, then we can talk about similar problems in every field meeting.

- Yesterday, Kirill Kaprizov returned to the link to Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. How do you rate his performance?

- He continues to be a young athlete. For attackers, experience is also important - the ability to adapt to partners and act in different episodes. The question is whether Caprice himself knows what and why he is failing. If so, then solving these problems is only a matter of time. He is a great young forward, without questions, but because of his age, being in such a situation is especially difficult for him.

- Why?

- He has to get used to playing with people whose performances he watched on TV. At such moments, the athlete experiences sensations that may interfere with his demonstration of high-quality hockey.

- Speaking of the Swedes, what impression does the game “Tre Kron” make on you?

- In general, it is expected. They have a huge stock of equipment and skill. But in the course of matches, they sometimes lose interest in what is happening. This is a feature of this team. In the meeting with Latvia, it almost cost them a lot. At the same time, they are able to create a cool, long time to control the puck. But the Czechs have already shown that it is possible to use it.

- How?

- Swedish defenders often connect to the attack and remain in the opponent's zone. Consequently, they can be caught on counterattacks.

- The Swedes lost to the Czechs in their debut match in the tournament, but after that they scored four victories in a row. At the moment they are among the top three contenders for victory?

- In my opinion, yes. First, North American teams do not always show themselves in European tournaments in the best way. Swedes feel very confident. Secondly, only Russians, but Canadians can compete with Americans in terms of composition.

- In addition to them and the Russian national team, who would you consider to be among the favorites?

- Finland. I think this is the most motivated and physically ready team among all the participants of the World Championship. Last season, similar epithets were deserved by the Swiss. They did not have the strongest composition, but with the help of great efficiency and dedication they reached the final.

- Kaapo Kakko - the future star?

- Yes, and this is not only my opinion. In my opinion, it is very interesting under what number it will be selected on the NHL draft. Before the World Cup, everyone was unequivocally saying that Jack Hughes would leave under the first number.

- Everything has changed?

- I believe that Kakko will be selected under the second number, but it will be very close to the first. I am sure that the team that received it will not be upset.

- What is especially impressive in Hughes?

- He is more prepared for the conditions of North American hockey. Europeans also have some difficulties in the transition to the NHL.

- At the moment, the top scorer of the tournament is a Swede William Nylander. What do you think about his game?

- A cool striker who shows that on large venues he is more comfortable to perform than on the North American.

- In meetings with Switzerland and Latvia, the national team of Sweden experienced serious problems. For the match with the Russian team, they will fit more collected?

- I think yes. By the battle with the Russians wards Ricard Grönborg will react much more seriously.

- How should Russians act in order to offset Sweden's strengths?

- The main thing is not to allow the opponent to control the puck, to seize the initiative. In this case, you can go in the footsteps of the Czechs - to give the initiative to the opponent and act on counterattacks. The question is what will get better.

- How will the meeting between the national teams of Russia and Sweden?

- It is difficult to predict. I am sure that the first period will pass in the struggle for control of the puck.