Ilya Nikulin

Alex Ovechkin: ‘I’ll Only Be Very Happy If [The Caps] Sign Ilya Nikulin’

Photo: Sov Sport

Wednesday, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin received his seventh Kharlamov Trophy as the most valuable Russian player in the National Hockey League. The award, named after the Soviet ice hockey player Valeri Kharlamov, is voted on by all active Russians playing in the NHL.

While taking part in a press conference afterwards, Ovechkin was asked about the report that Russian defenseman Ilya Nikulin – the Russian machine’s best friend – was in talks with the Washington Capitals.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Report: Defenseman Ilya Nikulin In Talks With Capitals

Russianhockey.de

Alex Rogulev of Rsport published a fascinating report on Friday that could spell big changes for the Washington blue line next season. According to the report, Russian defenseman Ilya Nikulin, who will not re-sign with Ak Bars Kazan, is in negotiations with an NHL team. That NHL team: the Washington Capitals.

If this pans out, it’ll be huge for the Caps and for Russian hockey.

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By Peter Hassett 8 years ago

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Photo credit: Sport-Express

When you’re super-famous, I guess you get asked to do some bizarre things. Alex Ovechkin has danced to shill for Eastern Motors, operated as hypeman for his boy Sasha Belyi, and modeled to promote a winter clothing-line for Nike. General rule: if Ovi is doing something other than hockey, minds are gonna get blown.

That’s why I was intrigued when news broke that Ovi and his compatriots sang to promote the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. How would his voice sound? Tenor or baritone? Could he possibly improve on the lyrical perfection of Champion? We didn’t know. We had only photos.

Until now.

YouTube User Alex12TV has published video of Ovechkin, Evgeny Malkin, Ilya Nikulin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Nikolai Kulemin, and Alex Radulov singing “Shaybu, Shaybu” with Russian pop star Irina Allegrova. It is delightful. In particular, I’m a fan of Alex Radulov’s air-drumming, Ovechkin’s excited hand motions, and — in general — the screaming, off-pitch singing.

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By Ian Oland 11 years ago

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Ovechkin Scores, Semin Assists in Russia’s 5-2 WC Quarterfinals Victory Over Norway

Photo credit: ria.ru

Top-seeded Team Russia defeated Team Norway today with a score of 5-2 to advance to the semifinals of the World Championship being held in Stockholm. Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin joined their national team on the ice for the first time and had an immediate impact, with Ovechkin scoring the first goal of the night and Semin providing two assists.

Ovechkin broke a World Championships pointless streak stretching back through all five games of last year’s tournament, scoring nearly eight minutes into the game. His tally began with teammate Alex Semin going strong to the net with the puck, allowing the Russian superstar to collect a rebound behind Norwegian goalie Lars Haugen. Ovechkin then knocked the puck in when he attempted to center the puck.

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By Ian Oland 11 years ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Game-Winning Goal Clinches Karjala Cup for Russian National Team

Russia’s Captain, Ilya Nikulin, holds the Karjala Cup; Kuznetsov gets mugged in front of the net.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, the Russian National Team’s youngest player at 19, once again proved his mettle and how lucky-a**ed (Kuzya called himself that during last year’s WJC) he can be in clutch situations. With ten seconds left and Russia stuck in a 1-1 tie with the Czech Republic, Kuznetsov — currently leading the KHL in game-winners this season — potted his only goal of the tournament. Not only did the tally give Russia the win in their final tournament game, it also clinched them the 2011 Karjala Cup.

Video of his goal can be seen below the jump.

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By 12 years ago

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Alex Semin Smokes, Russia Loses Its Dang Mind

Ovi and Sam

Alex Semin smoking: THE DRAMA!!

Oh, the off-season. While the Stanley Cup contenders whittle each other away, we Caps fans are left to look at the Russian media in confusion. Today’s scrum over Alexander Semin smoking might set the standard for our hockey coverage between now and September. So, yay.

Using Fedor Fedin’s masterful translation skills and cultural insider status, we trace this thread to its beginning. It all started when Ovie and Semin were in Russia before the World Championships. They were dining at a restaurant when the intrepid and not-at-all-unscrupulous Russian press snapped some photos of Semin smoking a cigarette. That’s when the insanity began.

CAVEAT: This isn’t exactly Dmitry Chesnokov-caliber journalism. Let’s have a grain of salt and throw back this tequila shot of “news.”

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By 13 years ago

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