CSKA1974
Registered User
Below is my quick translation of Egor's interview excerpts. I skipped a CoVid part and his patriotic bit. Please let me know if you would want me to translate that as well.
Also, I am planning to translate Russian national team scout's opinion on Provorov's season tomorrow
Sport- Express Interview with Egor Zamula (5/14/21)
Q: You finally started your NHL career. But why did you play just 2 games?
A: Gostisbehere had got injured, and the club did not know the extent of the trauma. I was recalled immediately after Shane’s injury, but had to return to AHL once Shane was fit to play. It is also known as emergency medical recall. But I knew Flyers wanted to take a look at me. I was hoping it had happened earlier in the season, rather than at the end of April.
Q: How much earlier?
A: Flyers began to crumble after the game with Boston on Lake Tahoe. The team had a series of loses- perhaps that was an appropriate moment to call me up.
Q: How was your debut?
A: Rather well, but not without a mishap. 1 hour before the game equipment manager requested that I shortened my stick. I am a tall guy and play with a long stick- it reaches up to my nose. And that, apparently, requires a special permission from NHL. That was done in Chara’s case. I understand, but I should not have learned that 1 hour before the game. I panicked. I went to Provorov for help. He tried to manage, but the manager continued to insist.
Q: What would be the punishment for playing with a long stick?
A: If the other team request an inspection, our team would be assessed a minor penalty. But I would not be able to play with a shorter stick without any practice. It’s not normal, inconvenient- might as well play without skates.
Q: So what happened?
A: I asked Claud Giroux, and he responded with understanding. He said that I should calm down and play with my usual stick. If worse comes to worst and Devils request inspection we will take the penalty. He said it was not a big deal. It helped me tremendously in my first game.
A: Did you play the second game with “illegal” stick?
A: No, I cut 4 inches. But at least I had one practice to adjust. Frankly, it did not help much. I overskated the puck once, my skating changed immediately as I had to stance lower than usual. Most importantly, we have filed the request with the NHL for the next season, and I will be allowed to play with my usual stick.
Q: How were the games against “Devils”?
A: I consider them to be not bad. And coaches confirmed that later. I had 19 minutes of ice time in the first game and 14 minutes in the second. I had played in all the situations in LHV including second power play, but it’s not the case on the NHL level. I must stick with the team and showcase my abilities first. I had had slight anxiety in the first game, but it subsided after the first period.
Q: I did not even notice your anxiety
A: It’s not that I was really anxious. It’s just different than AHL. It’s not even the matter of speed or quickness, it’s just a momentous event in one’s career. I realized I can play in this league.
Q: Your ice time was cut in the second game.
A: Although I played well. I pinched on offense when I had an opportunity and held my ground in 1:1 coverage and speed. In general, Devils is a team of smaller, speedy forwards and the coaches wanted to see how I play against them.
Q: OK, let’s ignore for the moment coaches and managers comments. Have you realized that it’s about time for you to step up a level?
A: I am thankful to the club for playing entire season in the AHL. Do you know that they did not let me play in Russia?
Q: Why?
A: I asked the same question. I told them that I would benefit from playing in Russia. SKA had offered me a contract, but the Flyers sad no. They told me that I have to be in their focus, that I need to work in the certain program in the gym. I was told that I would gain my form rather quickly and they need to keep a finger on the pulse of my development.
Q: Well, perhaps then, you would benefit from playing entire season, but you played in 2 games only.
A: In these two games I realized that a gap is not that big. I looked not worse than my competitors, and some players consider me number 2 defenseman right now.
Q: But they still relegated you to the AHL
A: But I have played in all the situations there and that’s very beneficial to me.
Q: you missed a few games there
A: Yes, I had a hairline leg fracture after blocking a shot. I was told that recovery will take 4-6 weeks, but I had fully recovered in 2 weeks and played 27-29 minutes per game after returning on the ice.
Q: I watched your AHL games, I can’t state that you stood out despite having a lot of ice time.
A: LHV does not play me in the way that I am used to. I have fewer points and my style is different.
Q: Yes- no goals and just 5 assists
A: But I’ve had plenty of opportunities- I hid the cross bar 5 times. Of course, points matter, but they are not the best metric for a defenseman. Also, a lot is contingent on your partners, sometimes you get open, but your partner just dumps the puck and goes for a change.
Q: I enjoyed the fact that you practically were not penalized. It’s difficult to play within the riles with your size and minutes.
A: I had to slash a forward once- he was running for a breakaway. I had no choice. But in general, I try to play positionally with the help of my hands and stick. I generally do not push in the back.
Q: I hope not to see you in the AHL again
A: I was told that I would be on the big club next season. The big changes are coming to the Flyers this off season. All depends on trades and signings. I would only like to play for the Flyers.
Q: But often the clubs say one thing but do something different.
A: I truly hope it would not be my case. I have said before that I would prefer to play in the NHL, but if it’s not in the consideration, I would enjoy more playing at home in my own country in front of my own fans
Also, I am planning to translate Russian national team scout's opinion on Provorov's season tomorrow
Sport- Express Interview with Egor Zamula (5/14/21)
Q: You finally started your NHL career. But why did you play just 2 games?
A: Gostisbehere had got injured, and the club did not know the extent of the trauma. I was recalled immediately after Shane’s injury, but had to return to AHL once Shane was fit to play. It is also known as emergency medical recall. But I knew Flyers wanted to take a look at me. I was hoping it had happened earlier in the season, rather than at the end of April.
Q: How much earlier?
A: Flyers began to crumble after the game with Boston on Lake Tahoe. The team had a series of loses- perhaps that was an appropriate moment to call me up.
Q: How was your debut?
A: Rather well, but not without a mishap. 1 hour before the game equipment manager requested that I shortened my stick. I am a tall guy and play with a long stick- it reaches up to my nose. And that, apparently, requires a special permission from NHL. That was done in Chara’s case. I understand, but I should not have learned that 1 hour before the game. I panicked. I went to Provorov for help. He tried to manage, but the manager continued to insist.
Q: What would be the punishment for playing with a long stick?
A: If the other team request an inspection, our team would be assessed a minor penalty. But I would not be able to play with a shorter stick without any practice. It’s not normal, inconvenient- might as well play without skates.
Q: So what happened?
A: I asked Claud Giroux, and he responded with understanding. He said that I should calm down and play with my usual stick. If worse comes to worst and Devils request inspection we will take the penalty. He said it was not a big deal. It helped me tremendously in my first game.
A: Did you play the second game with “illegal” stick?
A: No, I cut 4 inches. But at least I had one practice to adjust. Frankly, it did not help much. I overskated the puck once, my skating changed immediately as I had to stance lower than usual. Most importantly, we have filed the request with the NHL for the next season, and I will be allowed to play with my usual stick.
Q: How were the games against “Devils”?
A: I consider them to be not bad. And coaches confirmed that later. I had 19 minutes of ice time in the first game and 14 minutes in the second. I had played in all the situations in LHV including second power play, but it’s not the case on the NHL level. I must stick with the team and showcase my abilities first. I had had slight anxiety in the first game, but it subsided after the first period.
Q: I did not even notice your anxiety
A: It’s not that I was really anxious. It’s just different than AHL. It’s not even the matter of speed or quickness, it’s just a momentous event in one’s career. I realized I can play in this league.
Q: Your ice time was cut in the second game.
A: Although I played well. I pinched on offense when I had an opportunity and held my ground in 1:1 coverage and speed. In general, Devils is a team of smaller, speedy forwards and the coaches wanted to see how I play against them.
Q: OK, let’s ignore for the moment coaches and managers comments. Have you realized that it’s about time for you to step up a level?
A: I am thankful to the club for playing entire season in the AHL. Do you know that they did not let me play in Russia?
Q: Why?
A: I asked the same question. I told them that I would benefit from playing in Russia. SKA had offered me a contract, but the Flyers sad no. They told me that I have to be in their focus, that I need to work in the certain program in the gym. I was told that I would gain my form rather quickly and they need to keep a finger on the pulse of my development.
Q: Well, perhaps then, you would benefit from playing entire season, but you played in 2 games only.
A: In these two games I realized that a gap is not that big. I looked not worse than my competitors, and some players consider me number 2 defenseman right now.
Q: But they still relegated you to the AHL
A: But I have played in all the situations there and that’s very beneficial to me.
Q: you missed a few games there
A: Yes, I had a hairline leg fracture after blocking a shot. I was told that recovery will take 4-6 weeks, but I had fully recovered in 2 weeks and played 27-29 minutes per game after returning on the ice.
Q: I watched your AHL games, I can’t state that you stood out despite having a lot of ice time.
A: LHV does not play me in the way that I am used to. I have fewer points and my style is different.
Q: Yes- no goals and just 5 assists
A: But I’ve had plenty of opportunities- I hid the cross bar 5 times. Of course, points matter, but they are not the best metric for a defenseman. Also, a lot is contingent on your partners, sometimes you get open, but your partner just dumps the puck and goes for a change.
Q: I enjoyed the fact that you practically were not penalized. It’s difficult to play within the riles with your size and minutes.
A: I had to slash a forward once- he was running for a breakaway. I had no choice. But in general, I try to play positionally with the help of my hands and stick. I generally do not push in the back.
Q: I hope not to see you in the AHL again
A: I was told that I would be on the big club next season. The big changes are coming to the Flyers this off season. All depends on trades and signings. I would only like to play for the Flyers.
Q: But often the clubs say one thing but do something different.
A: I truly hope it would not be my case. I have said before that I would prefer to play in the NHL, but if it’s not in the consideration, I would enjoy more playing at home in my own country in front of my own fans
