Victor Kozlov on Ovechkin, Capitals

Igor Larin of Sports-Express has interviewed Victor Kozlov, who plays in KHL's "Salavat Yulaev" now.

Have you heard about some weird things going on with your former Washington Capitals team?
I've heard. I am very disappointed for very talented Semyon Varlamov, who's been hit with injuries even in a farm club. But [Alex] Sanya Ovechkin is still making every Capitals game awesome. He shoots, he scores.

Aren't you surprised that in the last games Ovechkin leads Capitals not only in scoring, but also in penalties?
Yes, and I know that Russia's media constantly reprimands him, "don't fight!" But I do know that all of these advices are useless. For [Alex] Sashka its fun to play only on the edge. He is an amazing guy!

When Sergei Fedorov and you played in Washington, did you try, as veterans, to steer Ovechkin to the right path?
What's the point? [Alex] Sasha himself can teach you what to do (laughs). And his path is exactly the right path, every year he scores fifty goals. I wish any player to follow his path!

With this style Ovechkin risks to be the next in Russia's list of injured Olympic players...
I agree with you in the sense that after Donnie Brashier's departure [Alex] Sasha got into the risk zone. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have a good fighter next to him. On the other hand, the league understands the value of Ovechkin, and I assure you, they will do everything possible to protect him from the injuries. But I don't like that he gets into the fights. It's not even about getting punched, it's about the possibility of injuring your hands. And without functioning hands you can't do much in hockey.

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