must read..let's here what larionov says
Aug 19, 2003 11:53:26 GMT -5
Post by marcel on Aug 19, 2003 11:53:26 GMT -5
Larionov Wants More Ice Time in Detroit
December 4, 2002
Reuters - - Fort Wayne.com
Detroit Red Wings center Igor Larionov, who turned 42 Tuesday, wants to get more playing time with his NHL club.
"I feel great but my mood could be better," Larionov, who captained Russia to the ice hockey bronze medal at this year's Salt Lake City Olympics, was quoted as saying in Wednesday's edition of Sport-Express newspaper.
"I've been playing for only 11-12 minutes a game lately. I'm not used to playing this little and I know I can do a lot more."
When asked why it was he did not get more ice time, Larionov blamed Red Wings rookie coach Dave Lewis, who replaced Scotty Bowman this season.
"You have to ask Dave Lewis," he said. "Last year, I was playing an average 17-18 minutes a game, but this season only 11 or 12. It's very difficult for me to play this little.
"After all these years in hockey, my body is used to playing more and when you sit on a bench instead of playing, you can't get into the game as well as you used to," he added.
Asked if he missed Bowman, the Russian said: "Yes, without a doubt. You just can't replace such a coach and Lewis's work is not quite as good."
Larionov, who said before the season that he was not yet ready to hang up his skates, reiterated his desire to play for a few more years in the NHL.
"Honestly, I don't know when I will retire," he said. "I don't think that 42 is the right age for that. Right now I feel hungry to play more and hope by next summer when my contract expires, I will still have that same feeling."
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December 4, 2002
Reuters - - Fort Wayne.com
Detroit Red Wings center Igor Larionov, who turned 42 Tuesday, wants to get more playing time with his NHL club.
"I feel great but my mood could be better," Larionov, who captained Russia to the ice hockey bronze medal at this year's Salt Lake City Olympics, was quoted as saying in Wednesday's edition of Sport-Express newspaper.
"I've been playing for only 11-12 minutes a game lately. I'm not used to playing this little and I know I can do a lot more."
When asked why it was he did not get more ice time, Larionov blamed Red Wings rookie coach Dave Lewis, who replaced Scotty Bowman this season.
"You have to ask Dave Lewis," he said. "Last year, I was playing an average 17-18 minutes a game, but this season only 11 or 12. It's very difficult for me to play this little.
"After all these years in hockey, my body is used to playing more and when you sit on a bench instead of playing, you can't get into the game as well as you used to," he added.
Asked if he missed Bowman, the Russian said: "Yes, without a doubt. You just can't replace such a coach and Lewis's work is not quite as good."
Larionov, who said before the season that he was not yet ready to hang up his skates, reiterated his desire to play for a few more years in the NHL.
"Honestly, I don't know when I will retire," he said. "I don't think that 42 is the right age for that. Right now I feel hungry to play more and hope by next summer when my contract expires, I will still have that same feeling."
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