"There are things that Kuznetsov needs to fix."

Metallurg Magnitogorsk's hockey players are leading the current KHL regular season and are considered among the favorites in the fight for the Gagarin Cup, which they already won a year and a half ago under the leadership of current head coach Andrei Razin. Their striker Vladimir Tkachev is the top scorer and sniper of the tournament, and another bright offseason newcomer, forward Sergei Tolchinsky, recently began to improve his game. So far, the only questionable situation is with the superstar offensive player Evgeny Kuznetsov, who joined Magnitogorsk during the season, but is not always included in the squad. According to Razin, this is due to the unimportant form of the hockey player.

In an interview with Izvestia, Metallurg sports director Evgeny Biryukov commented on the situation with Kuznetsov and Tolchinsky, assessed the likelihood of his former goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov returning to the club and spoke about the idea of returning the draft to the KHL, which had been widely discussed over the past year.

"We would like to strengthen the defensive line"

— How do you like the idea of returning the draft to the KHL?

— This is a rather subtle thing, since some KHL clubs have full—fledged verticals: the main team in the KHL is a farm club in the VHL, and the youth team in the MHL is a children's and youth school. In other words, the clubs themselves train players from a very young age, invest money in their education and development. And they will definitely want their interests to be taken into account when one of their players enters the draft and another club secures the rights to it. This point should be carefully considered, taking into account the laws and the financing system that has developed in our country. I think this question involves working for more than one year.

— Were you satisfied with the KHL Board of Directors' spring decision to gradually raise the salary cap from the current 900 million to 1 billion rubles in the 2027/28 season?

— We would like the ceiling to be higher, taking into account current realities, primarily prices for foreign hockey players. But we all work by the same rules, so whatever decision the league has made, we follow it.

— Does Metallurg still have a place on the payroll under the salary cap this season?

— Some time remains (smiles). But if we sign someone else to our team before the January transfer deadline, it will be difficult to do so without an exchange.

— Are there any positions that need to be reinforced until the next deadline?

— So that the nose bleeds, no. But if possible, we would like to strengthen the defensive line. Moreover, we have injuries among the defenders.

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"Counting on Kuznetsov"

— Ilya Samsonov, whose rights belonged to Metallurg, returned from the NHL in the fall. He is now successfully playing in Sochi. What is the probability of his return to Magnitogorsk next year?

— Next year, the goalkeeper issue will become relevant for us, because everyone knows that Ilya Nabokov is at Metallurg on loan from Colorado. Let's see what happens next. Ilya Samsonov is currently under contract at Sochi until the end of the season. If we are interested in him, we will explore all the options.

— How would you assess the condition of the current Metallurg goalkeeper team?

— We trust her. Everything suits us — and the level of Nabokov and Alexander Smolin. Especially lately, they've been playing well. Ilya has reached his best level, and Alexander is also performing well.

— Your reaction to the periodic absence of Evgeny Kuznetsov from the squad for matches and the words about his poor form that Andrei Razin explained this rotation. Both deny that there is a conflict between them, but such actions by the coach still constantly generate similar rumors from the outside.

— We have a normal working environment, a normal working relationship. If someone thinks that there are conflicts inside, then this is not the case — I can immediately assure you. It's just that there are sports things that Evgeny needs to fix. So far, the situation is affecting him so that he cannot play a large number of matches in a row. When the squad for each match is being worked out, all the requirements of the head coach are the same for everyone.

— Is the club ready to wait a long time for Kuznetsov to get into his best shape?

— It is impossible to say about any player that he is guaranteed of something - no one has that right now. If we realize that we need to strengthen some position, and optimal options appear on the market, then we will work through the exchange. This applies not only to Evgeny, but to all the players of Magnitogorsk in principle.

— When you signed a contract with Kuznetsov in the fall, did you expect the current problems or were you sure that he would immediately start playing his best hockey?

— We expected and expect that Evgeny fits well into our system of play, fits the requirements of the head coach. Yes, there are certain things now that don't always allow him to get into the squad. But, of course, we are counting on him further.

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"Metallurg's hockey style is not easy"

— When Sergei Tolchinsky was not included in the squad at the beginning of the season, were there any options for exchanging him?

— Sergey had certain moments in terms of matching Metallurg's hockey style — it's not easy. Probably 90% of KHL teams play a little differently than Magnitogorsk. It took a little getting used to Razin's demands, but in recent matches it has been clear that Tolchinsky is on the rise in terms of his game, attitude to work, and team. He's ready to give his best on the ice and be useful.

— Can you explain how the style of play of the current Magnitogorsk differs from the style of most other teams?

— We have a great emphasis on passing through the middle zone, rumblings, certain actions in our own and someone else's zone, its control, preservation. There are a lot of specific nuances.

— In October, when Tolchinsky was having trouble, Razin explained that Sergei was renting an apartment in Magnitogorsk belonging to your former player Nikita Khlystov, who is now playing for Neftekhimik in Nizhnekamsk. Andrey Vladimirovich said that everyone who rents this apartment is leaving Magnitogorsk, and advised Sergey to move. Are you now intervening in the issue of choosing a living space for Metallurg newcomers?

— Andrey Vladimirovich often throws up such things (smiles). No, of course I'm not interfering. Everything is fine.

— Can Khlystov not be afraid of a decrease in income from renting out housing?

— No (laughs).