Ovechkin's contract, Kaprizov's adaptation and 27 cases of COVID-19: what is being discussed before the start of the NHL regular season

Coronavirus outbreak and lake matches

Only a few hours remain until the start of the next regular season of the National Hockey League.

On the first day, there will be five matches in all four reformed divisions, with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh players going first on the ice.

However, not all teams are ready for the start of the tournament.

According to the NHL press service, a number of athletes were diagnosed with coronavirus during training camps, and the situation in the camp of the current Stanley Cup finalist became especially deplorable.

“The official training camps of the 2020/21 season ended in the NHL, during which 27 hockey players from nine clubs were tested positive for coronavirus.

Among them are 17 representatives of the Dallas Stars.

Most of those infected have no symptoms, and they all recover without any complications.

For two weeks, from December 30 to January 11, hockey players were tested on a daily basis.

In total, more than 1,200 players have passed about 12,000 analyzes, ”- said in a press release from the NHL.

As for Dallas, the outbreak of COVID-19 within the team became known a few days ago.

In this regard, the NHL had to change the schedule and postpone the first three matches with the participation of the Stars.

Initially, the Texans were to meet twice with Florida, and then play with rivals in the last Stanley Cup final - Tampa Bay.

It is not excluded that for the same reason the main goalkeeper of Florida Sergey Bobrovsky will miss the first matches of the tournament.

According to journalist David Dwork, this became clear based on the comments of Panthers head coach Joel Kenneville, as well as the fact that during the training camp, the media never saw the two-time Vezina Trophy winner on the ice.

At the same time, the goalkeeper himself is still on the unfit to play list.

A similar wording applies if the athlete has a confirmed coronavirus test and is in quarantine.

Unlike Bobrovsky, a member of the Triple Gold Club, Jay Baumeister and two-time Stanley Cup winner Corey Crawford, who announced their retirement from the sport with a difference of several days, will definitely not perform in the new championship.

In February 2020, the St. Louis defender suffered a heart attack during the match against Anaheim and has not been on the ice since.

In turn, the New Jersey goalkeeper signed a new agreement with the club only in October, but a few days ago he took an indefinite leave for personal reasons.

The NHL stated that spending a season in such a difficult period threatens with serious financial losses, and said that they are doing this solely for the sake of fans and athletes, as well as for the love of hockey.

“I want to be understood correctly: we are holding the season because we consider it important for our sport, and also because our fans and hockey players want it.

The season will allow many people to feel in a familiar atmosphere, to remember what a normal life is, ”the NHL press service quotes league commissioner Gary Bettman.

“The clubs and the league will lose more money if we don't close and play.

But the club owners unanimously spoke in favor of this option, because they understand how important it is for fans and hockey in general ... The sum of all losses will be measured in billions, ”he added.

However, the league has no intention of giving up on classic outdoor matches and has already announced plans to hold two meetings off the southern shores of Lake Tahoe.

As stated in the press service of the NHL, this event has been planned for a long time, but for a long time there was no opportunity to bring it to life.

On February 20, a game will take place between Colorado and Vegas, and a day later, Boston and Philadelphia will be on the ice.

Kaprizov's claims and the fight for the Calder Trophy

The four above-mentioned teams are among the favorites of the upcoming championship.

Many experts believe that Boston, Philadelphia and Vegas will compete for the Stanley Cup, as will the current trophy holder Tampa, and Colorado is considered the main contender for the victory.

This is evidenced by polls by the reputable Sportsnet portal and the TSN TV channel.

At the same time, the name of Kirill Kaprizov is often mentioned in the list of applicants for the prize for the best newcomer of the season ("Calder Trophy").

In the 2015 draft, the Russian forward was selected by Minnesota under a total of 135, but he should make his debut in the overseas league only in 2021.

Perhaps this is the reason for such a high level of expectations from his game.

He came to the NHL as a hockey player with vast experience in playing at the adult level and a solid number of awards.

His assets include Olympic gold, World Championship bronze and Gagarin Cup.

During training camp, Kaprizov scored a goal-scoring goal in a two-way match and earned praise from Wild mentor Dean Iwason.

He noted both the technical arsenal and the fighting qualities and dedication of the forward.

The Russian himself recently held the first online conference, during which he answered questions about adaptation in the United States.

“The move was much easier than expected.

They helped me to settle down, rent an apartment.

I even managed to get to know the Russians here.

Shown both Russian and Ukrainian stores.

Already bought dumplings, lying around in the freezer at home.

I also got some sprats.

So here you can find any native food.

In addition, we are well served at the stadium, so I rarely go where, ”the hockey player admitted.

Kirill also said that every day he is adapting more and more to the game in the first link of Minnesota with Nick Bugstad and Zach Parise, and also admitted that he does not really think about the fight for the Calder Trophy.

“The season has not started yet, and the main thing for us is to unite in Minnesota with the whole team.

We must first play hockey, and then, perhaps, thoughts will appear about the Calder Trophy, "added Kaprizov.

It is worth noting that in the fight for the title of the best rookie of the season, Kaprizov will have to withstand serious competition, including from his compatriots.

Thus, The Athletic published the top 20 main contenders for the trophy, including the Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin (second), Islanders goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin (fourth), Montreal defender Alexander Romanov (11th), and Florida forward Grigory Denisenko (16th).

Kirill himself is in third place, and Alexi Lafreniere, the most valuable player in the 2020 World Youth Championship, topped the rating.

Oh my pic.twitter.com/Ym4L7muOGR

- The Athletic Minnesota (@TheAthleticMIN) January 9, 2021

Ovechkin's contract and Provorov's status

As for other Russians, one of the most discussed topics remains the new contract of Alexander Ovechkin.

At the end of the 2020/21 season, his current agreement with Washington will expire, which means the nine-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner could become one of the most sought-after free agents in the league.

At the same time, journalists and experts are inclined to believe that the forward will nevertheless sign a new agreement with the Capitals, albeit perhaps not on his own terms.

For example, TSN columnist Frank Seravalli said that initially the Russians demanded an annual salary of $ 12.5 million, but in a pandemic, such a fee could become an unbearable burden for the team.

Ovechkin himself calmly reacts to the current situation and tries to concentrate on hockey.

He recently admitted that he is not going to demand the early negotiations from the club.

“We're hardly in a hurry.

We understand what is happening now, so when we come to an agreement, then we will agree.

If we do not agree, we will continue to talk and look further, ”the hockey player said.

“The most important thing for me now is to play.

Of course, there is one year left in the contract.

I was in such a situation 13 years ago, when I had to sign an agreement and worry about various reasons.

But I am 35 now, I already understand everything and am quite experienced, ”added Alexander.

Unlike Ovechkin, Detroit striker Evgeny Svechnikov is in a much more difficult position.

In August 2020, he renewed his contract with the team for one year, but in January he was on the draft refusals.

Apparently, the Red Wings do not count on the striker anymore, and the press is discussing his possible return to Russia.

In the KHL, Ak Bars is interested in his services.

At the same time, Ilya Mikheev and Alexander Barabanov do not plan to stop trying to gain a foothold in the North American League.

During the training camp, Toronto's forwards regularly appeared in the third and fourth ranks, respectively, and remained in the cage after the coaching staff reduced the team from 40 to 26 people.

Columbus striker Mikhail Grigorenko also showed his best side.

During the bilateral meeting, the Russians scored four points (two goals + two assists) and helped his team win with a score of 10: 4.

As part of the rival, defender Vladislav Gavrikov scored one of the scored goals.

Meanwhile, Ivan Provorov prepares to take on the duties of the alternate captain of the Philadelphia.

In the coming season, he will appear on the ice with a special patch in the team's home matches, while away this title will be shared by Kevin Hayes and Jakub Voracek.

The Flyers' long-term leader, Claude Giroud, was appointed captain, and Sean Couturier was his permanent assistant.