[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Here is the article:

http://www.sport-express.ru/hockey/nhl/reviews/982308/

Google translate doesn't do a very good job of translating it, so maybe one of the Russian literate posters would care to post a better translation

You ask and you shall receive.

Before the deadline I was packed and ready to go.
-To quote you “I waited for a trade until the last possible moment”.
-That is exactly right.

-When was it you first thought that a trade was necessary, and were there real circumstances that made you believe that a trade will occur?
-There were, and as far as I know, I came really close to being traded. I was all packed and ready to go. Moreover, Igor Larinov and I were given permission to talk to other teams. There was a whole lineup of interested teams; however, at the last moment something went wrong, so I am still here.

-It was written that MTL, WPG, NJD, and CAR were all interested in you, which of them was the closest to making a trade for you, and which did you prefer the most?
-That is far from the entire list – we can name at least two or three more teams. Unfortunately, we can speak all day about who was interested in me, and who did I want to play for. The fact of the matter is that it did not happen and I am still in Edmonton. We will see what happens in the summer after the regular season and playoffs end. There will be a lot more time for negotiations, without the teams pressuring each other by the trade deadline. As a result, a trade will be much easier to make, though, at the end of the day the Oilers organization has the final say on the matter.

-Did you (yourself) request a trade?
-Yes, I did, but I did not request it in person, as my job revolves around playing hockey. I did it through my agent, whose job it is to deal with such questions. However, if there were trade talks, there must have been a reason behind them.

-How did Larionov advise you to conduct yourself in such a situation?
-Just play, and live a regular hockey life. Do my job every day. I tried to practice(workout), work, and simply enjoy hockey. Discussing a trade is simply none of my business(not my job), and I shouldn’t worry myself too much over it.

-Have you considered returning to the KHL?
-No, no, and no again.

-Did you know that CSKA bought your rights from Neftekhimik?
-Yes, I heard about it. I do not have any hard feeling towards my previous team. They(CSKA) perfectly understand that I will not be arriving any time soon, and it seems like they(Neftekhimik?) got good players for me.

-Where are you planning to visit in the offseason?
-England. I am a fan of Chelsea FC. Just yesterday, I was told quite an interesting story about Jose Mourinho, and his time with the team. I really want to visit London, and watch Chelsea live at Stamford Bridge(In this Larionov, who has great connections with the club, promised to help him). I have never been there, and I really want to see it with my own eyes.