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Viktor Kozlov is a Washington Capital no more
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Viktor Kozlov is a Washington Capital no more. According to Tarik "GM George McPhee said moments ago that no one has advised the Caps that Kozlov, a pending unrestricted free agent, has signed elsewhere." That does not mean that this is not a done deal. Kozlov signed a three-year contract with KHL's Salavat Yulaef. The deal is rumored to be worth close to $2 million per year.
Pavel Lysenkov of Sovetsky Sport (the interview will appear in tomorrow's edition in Russia) spoke with Kozlov. This is what Viktor had to say:
“When I signed my contract with Washington two years ago, I had already started thinking about coming back to Russia. I wanted to play at home while I still had strength. I started mentally preparing myself for this step. I decided to play in a good NHL team and then head to the motherland.”
So, was Washington your “swan song” in the NHL? No one makes it back there at 37.
“I won’t come back. I have played enough there. Moreover, right now the NHL is getting younger. It’s time to go to Russia while I am still needed there.”
Is Washington changing a lot? Fedorov, Brashear [might leave], now you…
“But the core is staying. The Capitals have Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Green, And it doesn’t matter who is placed next to them. Anyone can play with hockey players of their caliber.”
Did you have any offers from the NHL?
“Yes, and there were serious ones. I was even asked to stay with Washington. But I had already made my decision…”
You are probably “winning” in terms of money signing with Salavat Yulaef.
“Yes. But on a different hand, you cannot make all the money anyway.”
But your family is going to stay in Miami. How are you going to get by without your wife and daughter?
“This is not the case, actually. My family is coming with me. We will live in Ufa for some time and then we’ll see.”
Did it influence you that Togliatti [Kozlov’s home town] is close to Ufa?
“Of course. It only 500 kilometers by car. Although I don’t think that the team schedule will allow me to travel there. This is going to be the Olympic year. The schedule will be tight.”
But you also raised your chances of going to the Olympics. Bykov and Zakharkin [Russian National Team coaches] coach Salavat Yulaef.
“I am not thinking about it, to be honest with you. The coaches won two World Championships with the same squad. And I wasn’t there. If I am not invited to Vancouver, I will understand. You don’t change the winning team. There is a core there. If I make it to the Olympics, I will be happy. If not, that’s life.”
Will we see you at the Olympic team camp in August?
“Yes, I have already been invited. But there will be a lot of guys there. The coaches will decide who will make the team.”
Did you speak with Bykov before you signed with Salavat Yulaef?
“Yes, we had a chat. You said that Bykov was happy about me coming there? It is great. That means I will be trusted on the ice. It is good for me. I will show myself in action.”
What do you know about Salavat Yulaef apart from what you have read in the papers?
“I actually have not read the papers. But I followed the KHL regular season that Salavat won. Yes, the team got knocked out in the first round. But I heard from the guys that they were the favorites in their series against Avangard Omsk, and that they have a good team and the future.”
Was it imperative for you to sign a three year deal?
“To be honest, Salavat offered that. And I decided not to decline.”
How are you spending the summer? When will you start training?
“I haven’t stopped training. I just take on less. With age, it is difficult not to do anything. It’s more difficult to get back. My father came here. We now play tennis in Miami every day.”
There is a great company in Florida right now: Semin, Alexei Morozov, Kovalchuk. Are you hanging out?
“I played for Florida, and my house is close to the arena. And the guys live a bit to the south, by the ocean. It’s about a half an hour drive to get there. I have a family with a child. I just can’t get a day to go and visit them. But you gave me a great idea. I need to give Kovalchuk a call and play tennis with him.”
And when are you going back to Russia?
“My medical in Ufa is scheduled for July 29. I will be there by then.”
Thanks, Viktor, for the fun years in the NHL, and the epic interview over at Puck Daddy.
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