Neftekhimik press–conference
30.12.2024
Neftekhimik press–conference was held at the neftekhim Arena dedicated to the KHL trade deadline that ended on December 27. The press–conference was held by Neftekhimik Director General Igor Larionov, Neftekhimik head coach Oleg Leontyev, and Neftekhimik sports director Anton Marchinsky.
The press notes that this deadline was, perhaps, the most interesting in the KHL history. Considering the high-profile and unexpected exchanges and transfers, it is quite possible that this is the case.
We did not wait for the deadline and, based on our capabilities and the need for rotation, increased competition in the roster, in November-December we signed contracts with forwards Kirill Petrov and Kirill Kapustin, defensmen Mario Patalakha, Mikhail Pashnin and Fyodor Kroschinsky. Just before the deadline, we made an exchange with Spartak, where goaltender Artyom Zagidulin joined Spartak, defenseman Timur Khairullin joined Neftekhimik, we also signed a contract with goaltender Igor Bobkov, until the end of the 2025/2026 season. It should be noted that the Club extended contracts with goaltender Filipp Dolganov, defensemen Luka Profaca, forwards German Tochilkin and our alumnus Nikita Khoruzhev. All these decisions were made jointly with the coaching staff headed by Oleg Yuryevich Leontyev.
– In your opinion, which transfer was the most successful?
I. Larionov: I think that the results of any transfer should be summed up at the end of the season. Not enough time has passed to rate any transfer. There are still many games ahead, and I think that this is a great opportunity for the players to show their best game, and for us to draw conclusions about their level of play and the way to rate these transfers.
– We know that Neftekhimik does not have the biggest budget. If possible, please reveal some details in negotiations with the hockey players' representatives.
A. Marchinsky: It is difficult to say, because each case is individual. For someone, it is a question of everyday life, for others - the city. For us, there are no difficulties. The most important thing is that the hockey player comes to the team and produces results.
– Have you adapted to the new position?
A. Marchinsky: I have adapted, we are working, we are doing everything for the success of the team.
– It is clear that it is impossible to be one hundred percent satisfied. Nevertheless, are you satisfied with the current selection of players?
– We know that Neftekhimik does not have the biggest budget. If possible, please reveal some details in negotiations with the hockey players' representatives.
A. Marchinsky: It is difficult to say, because each case is individual. For someone, it is a question of everyday life, for others - the city. For us, there are no difficulties. The most important thing is that the hockey player comes to the team and produces results.
– Have you adapted to the new position?
A. Marchinsky: I have adapted, we are working, we are doing everything for the success of the team.
– It is clear that it is impossible to be one hundred percent satisfied. Nevertheless, are you satisfied with the current selection of players?
O. Leontyev: Of course, we sign players in whom we believe, we know their capabilities. Therefore, these are the guys with whom we go to the playoffs.
– How do you rate the team's performance in the first part of the regular season?
O. Leontyev: We had a series of injuries after about ten games, which started a difficult period, and because of this we did not get any points. We fought to the very end, we were unyielding in every game. Yes, we played better in some places, and not quite as well in others. It is what it is. We will evaluate based on the results of the entire season.
– What aspects of the game should be improved?
O. Leontyev: There are many nuances. Therefore, there is no point in talking about that. There is something to work on.
– There were rumors about Traktor's interest in exchanging Dolganov. is it true?
A. Marchinsky: He is our key player, we did not consider options for exchanging Dolganov. But I will not hide the fact that there was a call from Alexei Volkov. However, all this ended with a refusal on our part.
O. Leontyev: We had a series of injuries after about ten games, which started a difficult period, and because of this we did not get any points. We fought to the very end, we were unyielding in every game. Yes, we played better in some places, and not quite as well in others. It is what it is. We will evaluate based on the results of the entire season.
– What aspects of the game should be improved?
O. Leontyev: There are many nuances. Therefore, there is no point in talking about that. There is something to work on.
– There were rumors about Traktor's interest in exchanging Dolganov. is it true?
A. Marchinsky: He is our key player, we did not consider options for exchanging Dolganov. But I will not hide the fact that there was a call from Alexei Volkov. However, all this ended with a refusal on our part.
– Neftekhimik strengthened itself before the deadline with Kapustin and Petrov, who are more likely to be reinforcements for the lower lines. Are you satisfied with the current depth of the roster?
O. Leontyev: You always want the team to be more powerful and stronger. But everything is done according to the budget. Therefore, we strengthened ourselves to the best of our ability.
O. Leontyev: You always want the team to be more powerful and stronger. But everything is done according to the budget. Therefore, we strengthened ourselves to the best of our ability.
