Quote:
Originally Posted by Pointman
True. There were several interviews (in Russian) explaining that. It took me 10 minutes to dig two of them:
http://fanzone.khl.ru/news/14402/
Q: You came over (to Russia) as center, but were moved to left wing. Alexey Kaluzny (Omsk's top center) explained that as centers have different roles at czechia and russia.
A: Never (in my career) I was coming back (to defend in my own zone). I was technically playing center, was taking faceoffs, but on defensive zone I was at left wing position. That's pretty much the way I play here (at KHL), except for I'm not taking draws. Initially Summanen (Omsk's coach) made me center, but me and Kaluzny decided it would be better for me to play left wing and Summanen didn't mind it.
http://www.peoples.ru/sport/hockey/roman_cervenka/
Q: Roman, you are versatile forward, aren't you?
A: Well, I used to be center.
Q: Why it didn't work out at KHL?
A: At KHL centers have to play defense. I never did. So wing is better for me. |
I think we need to be using Cervenka as a centre in the offensive zone & taking face offs, but pair him with strong defensive winger/centre who will do the defensive side of things for him. This is why the all-Czech line of Horak-Cervenka-Hudler made sense & played very well when the Czech boys finally arrived on the scene. Bring back the Czeching line!!