I wasn't strong when I was young. The puck was maybe too heavy. I guess I tried to move the puck from side to side to keep from getting hit.

When I started shooting it just gives my partners more chances for rebounds. It opens up more room.

In Russia, we had tough times. Only one puck, I always wanted the puck, so I learn how to keep it and make space and get puck when other guy has it.

When I came to North America, it was hard. It was hard to understand, hard to get someone to understand me. I only knew Russian. I studied French in school, but it didn't help. I forgot most of that.

I don't remember those early playoff games. Keep it positive. I'm a different player. More focused. I know how important it is to score in the playoffs.

We lost in world championships to Canada last year. We needed to win today.

I thought it was a Christmas present from Santa, a Russian Santa.

We not too much go to net. We not too much shoot it. We miss first quick goal, I think that is big for us. We needed more pressure. We not do this stuff. We needed to go more to net, get hard goal, dirty net, we needed something like that and we not do it.

I think we just a little bit tired because we play in Nashville yesterday. That was a big game for us. Today, everybody a little tired.

We all think this team is going to be very good this season. We still feel we are one of the best teams. If you look back to two or three years ago, we are still the same team. We haven't really changed.

I think I am worth at least what Dany Heatley or Joe Thornton got from their deals.

It depends how I feel tomorrow. Everyday it feels better. More skating, more shooting. I need to be ready 100 percent.

I still keep playing soccer. It has helped me a lot ... It keeps me in shape and it is a similar game. It is not a personal game -- it is more of a team game, and when you play with friends it is more fun, more motivation. It is more together.

When you play with these guys, you learn from this a lot ... When you play a certain time with them and they retire, you are feeling soon you will be retired. We miss those guys, for sure, but this is life.

They helped me a lot. It felt like being back home ... They helped me with everything that I needed and they give me lots of experience. I just did not have any problems, but I only had one problem -- when they left, I was alone and had a tough time. Thankfully the guys understand my situation and every...

Yeah, but maybe it is (general manager Ken Holland) knows me and doesn't want to sign any more Russian guys

He's really hungry ... He'll just get better every game.

I'm still not comfortable