Three strikes and you're out

 By Mikhail Zislis, Sport-Express, Nov. 11, 2008:

Not very eloquent, if not more, even in conversations with his native press, Semin not just surprised North American journalists, he shocked them. He said did not believe that Sidney Crosby was the best and that Chicago's Patrick Kane was much better than the Penguins leader. Our forward, who was recognized in the NHL as the best player of October, violated the unwritten rules being critical of a person with the status of superstar.

In North America this kind of "hit" is a unique phenomenon. With all due respect to the traditions of NHL and its openness in dealing with the media, to catch something interesting is a rare thing. In the recent past only two players, Brett Hull and Jeremy Roenick, could afford to say the truth loud. Both are very credible people who have achieved a lot in their multi-year career. But publicly criticizing other players performance in the NHL is not accepted in general. And if you say something about your colleagues? It should be only in complimentary tone. The image and reputation is more important.

The word is that the owner of Washington Capitals Ted Leonsis was chasing the poor fellow in a locker room, the one who translated into English Semin's quotes. As an excuse Capitals officials not too convincingly argued that "some things were lost in translation."

This is the second time Leonsis goes after Chesnokov. First time was when he spoiled Leonsis' announcement about Ovechkin's contract for 13 years. It was leaked to SovSport and SovSport leaked it to RDS in Montreal. That was a James Bond type story. :-)

Other posts by Mikhail Zislis: Tales from K.H.L.

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