Matvei Michkov #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Alexei Kovalev had a stellar NHL career spanning over two decades, highlighted by his creativity and offensive brilliance. Drafted 15th overall by the New York Rangers in 1991, he played a key role in their 1994 Stanley Cup win, ending a 54-year drought.
Kovalev reached his peak with the Pittsburgh Penguins, notching a career-high 95 points in 2000-01, and became a fan favorite with the Montreal Canadiens, earning All-Star Game MVP honors in 2009.
Known for his dazzling skill and powerful shot, he retired with 1,029 points in 1,316 games, leaving a legacy as one of the most gifted Russian players in NHL history. But since his retirement, stars like Alexander Ovechkin have risen to supplant his greatness and carve out a new piece of hockey history to inspire the next generation.
Kovalev took some time to talk about it in an exclusive interview with RG as he looks to the future of Russian hockey.
Ovechkin Chasing Greztky’s Record
Alex Ovechkin will likely go down as one of the best Russian-born players of all time, and the top, pure goal-scorer in the history of hockey.
He currently finds himself on the cusp of greatness, as he chases down Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record. At the age of 39, Ovechkin was defying Father Time before injuring his leg last month, registering 15 goals in his first 18 games of the season.
Thanks to his hot start, Ovechkin only needs to score 27 goals to break the goal-scoring record of 894 goals. Kovalev isn’t surprised in the slightest:
“Age dramatically affects the body. Alex is a healthy guy. He understands everything that awaits him, what goals he has. He needs to maximize his play this year and next. I don’t think he will have problems with rehabbing his broken fibula.”
Kovalev is convinced that, once Ovechkin returns to health, it will only be a matter of time before he breaks the record. However, he cautions Ovechkin to take his time and make sure he’s 100% healthy, as continued health, especially at the age of 38, is the priority.
But ultimately, Kovalev believes Ovechkin will achieve his goal quite soon, pointing out how dominant the Washington Capitals have been this season.
“A big plus for him is that the Capitals are playing well now. It is easier to return to such a team after an injury. The main thing is that he doesn't force his return. There shouldn't be any problems,” said the former NHL veteran.
Kovalev believes that someone finally beating out one of Greztky’s most untouchable records will bring about a generational kind of buzz; inspiring the next generation of goal-scorers to emulate Ovechkin’s illustrious career.
“It's a huge achievement in life. Kids will look at it. They will understand what you went through and what you did for hockey,” said Kovalev. “It opens many doors.”
But, ultimately, Kovalev believes that, in his quest for beating Gretzky’s record, Ovechkin shouldn’t lose sight of the opportunity to win another Stanley Cup with the resurgent Capitals. In his estimation, he’d value his three Stanley Cups over any individual honour.
“(I prefer) the three Stanley Cups. Hockey is a team sport, and the emotions from such a victory are incomparable to anything,” admitted Kovalev.
The Next Generation of Russian Hockey
In talking about the next generation of Russian hockey players, there is no brighter, emerging star at the moment than Matvei Michkov.
Despite starting the season as one of the Flyers’ leading scorers, he was benched by Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella. The 20-year-old has had a few heated relationships with his coaches in the past, but that’s all part of the appeal, according to Kovalev, who believes it’s on Philadelphia to work around Michkov’s quirks.
“Everyone knows that Michkov is a peculiar guy. You always have to force him to do something. Oleg Znarok was also put there to do that. He probably beats him up with a whip (laughs),” joked Kovalev.
Since being scratched last month, Michkov has exploded offensively. He now leads all NHL rookies in scoring with 11 goals and 27 points in 28 games this season.
Kovalev, who was also scolded in his NHL career for some inconsistency in his game, believes that Michkov has made himself indispensable to the Flyers at this point; and the team can no longer afford to go on without him.
“I don't know exactly why they benched him for two games, but now he's providing results. And if you produce, no one will tell you anything.”
Fight For More ice Time
Across the Atlantic, another Russian prodigy is having his own difficulty with his ice time, as Canadiens prospect, Ivan Demidov, is seeing his ice time drop of late.
Kovalev, who coached in the KHL for the Kunlun Dragons, doesn’t buy the idea that Demidov need only bide his time until his contract expires this summer. In his estimation, Demidov should push back and do anything he can to secure more ice time.
“He's behaving incorrectly. It's wrong to just sit there and put up with six minutes per game, with plans to leave in six months and play in the NHL. That's not how it works,” said Kovalev.
“You have to try to get more playing time by any means necessary.”
And it’s not for lack of trying on the ice. Demidov has put up six goals and 20 points in 33 games with an average playing time of just under 11 minutes per game.
According to Kovalev, it doesn’t matter that he’s set to leave SKA in a few months, Demidov and his representation need to put their foot down and fight for more playing time.
“You also have to talk to your coach so that he can explain to you what you need to do so that he trusts you more. What if he is not given time in Montreal? Should he sit and wait, too? That is the wrong approach. You have to fight for every minute, by any means possible,” explained Kovalev.
For Demidov, that means that he needs to be more assertive with the SKA coaching staff and stand his ground if he feels he is being treated unfairly.
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
