Honored Coach of Russia Vladimir Plyushchev commented on the signing of a viewing contract by Russian forward Nikita Gusev with the NHL club Toronto.
– SKA waited all the offseason for Nikita Gusev, who signed a trial contract with Toronto. To what extent is this the right move, considering how Barabanov suffered in the Maple Leafs' stellar attack last season?
– I will not undertake to comment on Gusev's actions in this plan. His right, he decided with his agent, maybe with his family. The only thing you need to pay attention to is why Nikita does not want to return to the KHL and take the place of the leader in some club. Apparently there are reasons for that. Our hockey players by hook or by crook cling to the NHL. Even taking into account the fact that they will not be in the best positions there. But now in Russia it is not the 90s. In material and organizational terms, everything is fine.
– And here we must state that there are practically no bright players left in the KHL.
– Yes, foreigners used to come to us brightly: both goalkeepers and Jagr played. Fans are attracted by personalities who always add flavor to the venue. Since Soviet times, they went to look at Kharlamov, Maltsev, Seryozha Makarov, Volodya Krutov … And now hockey players go from club to club, only changing the name and numbers in their contracts. At the same time, no bright traces are left. Hence the hockey we have now, – quotes the words of Plyushchev “Sport Weekend”.