I don’t care what people think about me because I don’t think about them, at all. Honestly, they can think and say all the bad stuff they want about me, but at least they think about me, you know? I am 18 years old, drafted into the NHL, and I am fortunate to have signed a deal at 18 years old. I think the people who think bad things about me feel as if they are the best but they are pretty much nothing in this life.
now THATS ****ing funny man!!
i like this kid more and more with each passing day.
He has either gone through some INTENSE PR training or these quotes were edited.
His answers were superb:
"KK: I can’t really say anything bad about Moncton. They were pretty good for me all year and I appreciate the entire Moncton organization and Danny Flynn. But in Lewiston I found my place. "
I don't know if anybody else saw it but he got nominated for a humintarian award for his contribution to the moncton and lewiston community. Maybe he has matured in leaps and bounds, you never know.
Still sounds like a flake to me. But so do many 18 yo's. Here's hoping he keeps working hard. That's the best news to me in the interview - desire and intent to work hard to make it.
Your interviewing skills are very good, you asked the right questions.
But your hockey analysis needs a lot of work - comparing Kovalchuk and Kabanov in the same sentence needs to be said with reservation. Kovalchuk is a 5 time 40 goal scorer with 369 career goals.
I did notice Kabanov's defensive game improved in Lewiston, and wonder how playing with an intense forechecker like Chaput helped him.
I don't like how he said he thinks Petrov might now be staying over in Russia. That would suck. I really hope that kid doesn't sign another contract with the KHL.
Petrov IS staying in Russia..at least one year. It's well known his reason for staying back there (his mother is ill). I'm sure everyone here, given the same scenario would make the same decision.
As for Kabby...seems like the Isles are working hard on him not becoming a flop.
I don't like how he said he thinks Petrov might now be staying over in Russia. That would suck. I really hope that kid doesn't sign another contract with the KHL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveat
Petrov IS staying in Russia..at least one year. It's well known his reason for staying back there (his mother is ill). I'm sure everyone here, given the same scenario would make the same decision.
As for Kabby...seems like the Isles are working hard on him not becoming a flop.
For clarification folks, Petrov has ONE YEAR remaining on his KHL contract. He has been returned to Kazan after having been loaned out during the season. We have no idea what role he plays in their plans after what transpired last season. He got increased ice time and seemed to have a fire lit under him when he started playing for the new team, but only ended up with 8-11-19 in 40 some games. On a good note, I do believe he went 2-2-4 in 5 playoff games.
As for his mother being ill, this is the reason he (or his agent) have given as to why he'll not be attending the Isles' prospect camp this month.
His remaining in Russia for the upcoming season is pretty much a given, regardless of whether his mother gets better or not. Even if they wanted to, the Isles are not permitted to buy him out of his contract. Any coming over now would require HIM to find a way to buy himself out of that contract. I can't see it being possible whatsoever.
In addition, he's actually getting good money to be there. We fans are just gonna have to wait until next summer and hope things go CLICK this winter, because the kid still hasn't shown himself to be an impact player of sorts at the men's level.
Nice to read stuff in the interview with Kabanov. It seems to me that the signing has a little more to do with political and CBA-related foresight than simply getting any on-ice consideration on the Island. I'd say there's little chance of him not being in the QMJHL next season.
I definetly liked the interview. And I agree with the comparisions to current NHLers. Maybe stating something like "at their age" before comparing skills would help a little. Also Kiril needs to continue working on interviewing himself. Making statements like "I don't care what people think about me because I don't think about them" can be taken out of context from someone who doesn't like him and turn it into something it is not. I understand the language barrier/learning curve but Kiril needs to be more clear of his statements. I know what he ment but the opportunity for someone else to make a problem is there. Now for an important question from the vets on these boards: Would he have gone top 5 this year? And if so.....would he start?
Overall good interview asking good questions that us fans want to know. I hope he continues to maintain his focus and one day prove his critics wrong. Everyone likes a redemption story.
Your interviewing skills are very good, you asked the right questions.
But your hockey analysis needs a lot of work - comparing Kovalchuk and Kabanov in the same sentence needs to be said with reservation. Kovalchuk is a 5 time 40 goal scorer with 369 career goals.
I did notice Kabanov's defensive game improved in Lewiston, and wonder how playing with an intense forechecker like Chaput helped him.
I realize Kabanov will never realistically reach the stats and skill that Kovalchuk has, but what I said in the article was that their games were similar. I wasn't saying that Kabanov would be the next Kovalchuk. Just wanted to clarify.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macch
Talk is cheap.
Actions speak louder than words.
Show us on the ice
20 points in 15 games in the playoffs is a start, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stercrazy
I definetly liked the interview. And I agree with the comparisions to current NHLers. Maybe stating something like "at their age" before comparing skills would help a little. Also Kiril needs to continue working on interviewing himself. Making statements like "I don't care what people think about me because I don't think about them" can be taken out of context from someone who doesn't like him and turn it into something it is not. I understand the language barrier/learning curve but Kiril needs to be more clear of his statements. I know what he ment but the opportunity for someone else to make a problem is there. Now for an important question from the vets on these boards: Would he have gone top 5 this year? And if so.....would he start?
Overall good interview asking good questions that us fans want to know. I hope he continues to maintain his focus and one day prove his critics wrong. Everyone likes a redemption story.
I was unsure about whether or not to leave that quote in due to that reason alone. But we are talking about Kirill Kabanov here, a no nonsense, no BS kid who has been through hell and back and is still a teenager. I had to keep it in because that gives a better look at the personality. Sure, it may get taken out of context, but there are tons of articles and quotes that get taken out of context. Although he has become a little reserved over the past two years, it doesn't mean he is afraid to speak his mind, which he clearly showed in the interview.
I'm glad that you guys enjoyed the article. I have done other interviews before with other prospects, but it has always been, I send them a question via text or email and then they get back to me. Never a 1-on-1 like had with Kabanov. He's a great kid and knows what he wants in life. Garth Snow took a HUGE risk but it seems to be paying off. As a Flyers fan with heavy Russian roots, you guys picking Kabanov can potentially haunt us for the rest of our lives. Please don't look at me as an enemy, either. As I've gotten older, I've started to associate myself more with the game of hockey than with a specific team, so I don't hate the Islanders by any stretch.
Hopefully I write another article on an Islanders prospect soon enough. Thanks for the kind words and take care guys.
oh and if you guys want (shameless plug) follow me on twitter @shawnreznikTHW
I don't know if anybody else saw it but he got nominated for a humintarian award for his contribution to the moncton and lewiston community. Maybe he has matured in leaps and bounds, you never know.
Or perhaps he found a good PR consultant, who taught him how to fix a damaged reputation...
Or perhaps he found a good PR consultant, who taught him how to fix a damaged reputation...
Nope. The kid changed when he went from Moncton to Lewiston. He figured out what he needed to do on and off the ice to become a fan favorite instead of becoming a favorite of criticism.
He reminds me of some russians i know...very much outspoken, unafraid to express their opinions, but in the end, as his nomination for humanitarian work seem to show, good ppl deep down who'll give you their shirts off their backs. I look for this kid to succeed and be a quirky, leader of the merry men kinda guy.
Your interviewing skills are very good, you asked the right questions.
But your hockey analysis needs a lot of work - comparing Kovalchuk and Kabanov in the same sentence needs to be said with reservation. Kovalchuk is a 5 time 40 goal scorer with 369 career goals.
I did notice Kabanov's defensive game improved in Lewiston, and wonder how playing with an intense forechecker like Chaput helped him.
He didn't actually compare Kabanov to Kovalchuk, he just said that many have made that comparison. Which is true, that comparison has been made numerous times.
this.
now if he can impact a game like darius, but by denting the net instead of someone's thighs, we may be onto something....
imho, he still sounds like he's got a chip on his shoulder to some degree, but admittedly that's reading betweent he lines... whatever, not everyone's perfect, or near it, like some of these other kids with solid work ethics. if this guy buys into working hard, and shows skill and ability along with the backcheck, sign me up!!!
Nope. The kid changed when he went from Moncton to Lewiston. He figured out what he needed to do on and off the ice to become a fan favorite instead of becoming a favorite of criticism.
you know when i'll believe this: if he doesn't make the team and he goes to the Bridge and doesn't whine. Of course, I'm strictly speaking about this year.
you know when i'll believe this: if he doesn't make the team and he goes to the Bridge and doesn't whine. Of course, I'm strictly speaking about this year.
for the last time! he is not going to the Bridge this season! He cant go! he must go to juniors....
for the last time! he is not going to the Bridge this season! He cant go! he must go to juniors....
good point, but i'm not changing my statement other than "the Bridge" to "Juniors." same issue. at the risk of sounding like Bennett Brauer, the guy has a history of not "sticking" in places and having "attitude issues" when things don't "go his way." he's "not the norm" and he "doesn't fall in line" so to speak. http://www.hulu.com/watch/19049/satu...bennett-brauer
i will give him the benefit of the doubt, sort of. basically, cuz he's my guy- an Islander.
