Pavel Datsyuk is the best centre in the world, according to Ilya Kovalchuk.
In an interview with R-Sport Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils star raved about his Team Russia linemate and fellow locked-out KHLer.
“I personally consider Datsyuk the best centre in the world, so there’s great satisfaction and experience from playing alongside him,” Kovalchuk told the site. “It’s an honour to play with a centre like Datsyuk.”
SKA captain Kovalchuk and CSKA Moscow’s Datsyuk are playing on rival KHL squads but have been united for the Russian leg of the Euro Hockey Tour, the idea being that this version of the national team is a warm-up for the main event: Sochi 2014.
Those who might raise an eyebrow about Kovy’s remarks – hmmm… is there another pretty good centre hanging around? – should remind themselves of Datsyuk’s ironclad status as Your Favourite Player’s Favourite Player. His peer respect is off the charts.
Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson was slapped with a one-game ban for chucking his stick in the general direction of the officials after Jokerit club lost to TPS Wednesday, reports Szymon Szemberg.
The incident sounds much more violent than it looks:
Watch: Patrick Kane, who practised back in Chicago Wednesday, speaks with the Chicago Tribune about playing in Switzerland…
The KHL’s top 10 goals of the week starts with a doozy from Nicklas Backstrom:
Anaheim Ducks forward Saku Koivu will sign for TPS Turku and begin playing in the Finnish Elite League after Christmas if the lockout is still in effect, reports Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.
Koivu played 20 games for TPS during the 2004-05 lockout and started his pro career with the club prior to joining the Montreal Canadiens in 1995-96.
Fun fact: Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner once scored eight points during a movie intermission.
Who knew there were breaks at the movies in Europe? Nice way to stretch out a three-hour movie. #Pause twitter.com/89SGagner/stat… — Sam Gagner (@89SGagner) December 12, 2012
Who knew there were breaks at the movies in Europe? Nice way to stretch out a three-hour movie. #Pause twitter.com/89SGagner/stat…
— Sam Gagner (@89SGagner) December 12, 2012
Wow. John Tavares looks even faster with a flaming helmet:
Was wondering what my ATM @91tavares is up too..looks like he’s ripping it up like usual #stillnopokerface #goldhelmet twitter.com/grabs40/status… — Michael Grabner (@grabs40) December 12, 2012
Was wondering what my ATM @91tavares is up too..looks like he’s ripping it up like usual #stillnopokerface #goldhelmet twitter.com/grabs40/status…
— Michael Grabner (@grabs40) December 12, 2012
And an injured Michael Del Zotto tweets his relief to be back from a disappointing stint in Europe:
Home sweet home. Nothing better. — Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto) December 12, 2012
Home sweet home. Nothing better.
— Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto) December 12, 2012
