Another Russian interview with Zadorov. No English subtitles though.
Video is very well-made. Calgary looks fantastic in the video, hope Z feels the same way about the city.
Just saw this now. You can change the settings to show English subtitles; not bad overall in terms of translation (from what I can tell after watching the first 10 minutes).
Zadorov is definitely no shrinking violet — well spoken and well dressed. He’s doing well under Sutter, but I don’t see him coming back unless he takes a significant discount — which I don’t think will happen after taking a one year deal.
Z 2nd Interview Part 4
I'm just going chronologically now, filling in the gaps. That's why this is the next section.
Canadian Healthcare and taxes
Starting @ 35:50 - 39:10
Interviewer: Aside from the cold what is the biggest difference you noticed living in Canada compared to the US?
Zadorov: Well probably it's the healthcare.
I: Healthcare?
Z: Yes, because I have a family I noticed the difference. Things like doing vaccines for the children, going to the dentist if something happens, and doctor appointment. You have to wait for 3-4 months until you get an appointment.
I: In Canada you have to wait for 4 months?
Z: Yeah, even if you're an NHL player.
I: Why?
Z: Because of the free healthcare system. In the US all the NHL players automatically receive the best insurance money can buy. If a regular person were to buy it, it would cost him around $30,000 a year. We get that insurance from the NHL for free. Whenever you call a doctor in the US, they ask you "what kind of insurance do you have?". As soon as they hear the kind of insurance we have they roll down the red carpet. For example when you need to do a vaccine for your kid, you go there the next day. They do the vaccine, and in addition they give you a bunch of extras, try to give/sell you extra drugs and so on, because the insurance covers all of it.
Here everything is free, that's why the healthcare system struggles with COVID so much. That's why they closed down Quebec and Ontario right now. They have a lot of cases, all the hospitals are overfilled, and they don't know what to do. It's just a bit of a broken system. In the US there are many times more hospitals, there are more beds in the hospitals, that's why the US has an easier time with COVID. Canada simply doesn't have vacant hospitals, or space within them. Despite that the hospitals have to take care of every person in need, because there is no insurance, and that's a free healthcare system.
I: I get that you have an insurance from the NHL, but does it cover your entire family?
Z: Yes, my immediate family.
I: Canada must have some sort of a paid healthcare system
Z: It doesn't.
I: None at all?
Z: Well they call it a free healthcare system. It's not quite free though. Dental expanses go out of pocket, my NHL insurance doesn't cover it here, unlike in the US. You still have to pay something like $300 for an ambulance. In addition the taxes here are higher. The tax is 13% percent higher than in the US.
I: The taxes here are extremely high.
Z: It's 50%, well 49% in Alberta. In comparison in Colorado I had 37% and 6% tax, so 42%(I won't criticize his math here), so it's a 6-7% difference in salary. With my salary 6% is a lot more than the $30,000 an insurance would cost me. I understand that it probably works out better for the middle class - you pay higher taxes but get a free health care system. In my case I'd rather buy an insurance, and pay lower taxes.
Starting @ 44:30 - 48:25
I: Well this day was already worth it, because I finally understood why there are such strict restrictions in place. So that my audience understands, Canada is probably the strictest country with the strictest COVID restrictions. You can't go anywhere without a vaccine, you have to wear a mask everywhere. I guess that's why they are worried because if something happens they simply won't be able to handle it.
Z: You saw yesterday, they actually forced a couple of people(fans) to leave. People who weren't wearing masks.
I: Yes, they even ask people to leave mid-game. You only get one warning.
Z: You get two warnings. It's just that the healthcare system can't handle it. I think that the whole system is built incorrectly. In the US, you have a population of $360M, $30M live without insurance, that's quite a high number. People that can't afford it if they come to the hospital might get a $5,000 bill, that they pay until the rest of their life, but they still have to help that person if something happens. It's a double edged sword. For me personally, I'd rather pay for insurance and use it whenever I like, instead of waiting for 3 months to do a vaccine for my kid. My youngest had to do a set of vaccinations on after he/she(I think it's a she) turned one. The vaccines were from Hepatitis, Chickenpox and so on. And then there's the next set of vaccines that we're supposed to do at 1 year and 4 months. My youngest is 1 year and 4 months old already, and we have yet to do the first part of the vaccinations, so we have to wait.
Flying to the US from Canada vs. to Canada from the US
I: Is there a difference in terms of hockey, or the organizational side between Canadian and American Hockey clubs?
Z: No. The only difference is that we have to pass customs whenever we're flying to the US. When I was playing in the US and we were flying to Canada the customs officer would go on the plane, I'd give him my piece of paper and that's it. I didn't even have to show my passport or anything, I was free to leave the plane, and was on my way. It's harder to fly into the US, then on the way back to Canada we still have to go through the same steps. I know that Toronto doesn't go through that though because their owner invested money/build something(essentially money talks) so they took care of it for him. Whenever we fly to the US we go through the same airport/customs like everyone else. We have a charter plane, so we don't have to wait as long, it takes about 40mins, which is not too long but it's still 40mins. At one point this year we were even stuck in line to the passport control booth for about an hour and a half. At least our plane lifts off as soon as we're all aboard it. I know that Toronto(Leafs) moved that passport control to the business class terminal, so you pass much quicker through it.
The anonymity factor
I: Do the fans bother you when standing in line?
Z: Not at all, I haven't had to deal with it whatsoever. I think the American fans are simpler and crazier that way. Here people understand that you are one of them. People recognize you, think that's cool, but don't approach you because they see you on TV every day. At least I haven't had to deal with it in Calgary.
I: On the organizational level there's no difference between the various club?
Z: Not really not on the organizational level. There are some small differences between richer clubs like Chicago and slightly poorer clubs like Colorado, or Calgary.
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Really is fascinating to have an NHLer willing to chat at length and candidly about inanne things and behind the scenes stuff. It happens in snips here and there like Spitting Chiclets where you get some highlight stories, but not 3h worth spanning health care systems to vehicles to taxes to coaches rules.
Very well spoken and articulate guy. I don't think it can be overstated how well him and Gudbranson are playing game to game, nor the impact of finally having some solid, physical first defenseman to establish and enforce the team identity.
Is is here next year? Unless he signs a 1 or 2 year deal (to coincide with Sutter's tenure) likely not but I don't know if he came here with the assumption he only wanted to stay a year, since it seems he slightly prefers the US, but we will see.
Last edited by browna; 02-21-2022 at 12:17 PM.
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Z 2nd Interview Part 4
I'm just going chronologically now, filling in the gaps. That's why this is the next section.
Canadian Healthcare and taxes
Starting @ 35:50 - 39:10
Interviewer: Aside from the cold what is the biggest difference you noticed living in Canada compared to the US?
Zadorov: Well probably it's the healthcare.
I: Healthcare?
Z: Yes, because I have a family I noticed the difference. Things like doing vaccines for the children, going to the dentist if something happens, and doctor appointment. You have to wait for 3-4 months until you get an appointment.
I: In Canada you have to wait for 4 months?
Z: Yeah, even if you're an NHL player.
I: Why?
Z: Because of the free healthcare system. In the US all the NHL players automatically receive the best insurance money can buy. If a regular person were to buy it, it would cost him around $30,000 a year. We get that insurance from the NHL for free. Whenever you call a doctor in the US, they ask you "what kind of insurance do you have?". As soon as they hear the kind of insurance we have they roll down the red carpet. For example when you need to do a vaccine for your kid, you go there the next day. They do the vaccine, and in addition they give you a bunch of extras, try to give/sell you extra drugs and so on, because the insurance covers all of it.
Here everything is free, that's why the healthcare system struggles with COVID so much. That's why they closed down Quebec and Ontario right now. They have a lot of cases, all the hospitals are overfilled, and they don't know what to do. It's just a bit of a broken system. In the US there are many times more hospitals, there are more beds in the hospitals, that's why the US has an easier time with COVID. Canada simply doesn't have vacant hospitals, or space within them. Despite that the hospitals have to take care of every person in need, because there is no insurance, and that's a free healthcare system.
Z: Well they call it a free healthcare system. It's not quite free though. Dental expanses go out of pocket, my NHL insurance doesn't cover it here, unlike in the US. You still have to pay something like $300 for an ambulance. In addition the taxes here are higher. The tax is 13% percent higher than in the US.
I: The taxes here are extremely high.
Z: It's 50%, well 49% in Alberta. In comparison in Colorado I had 37% and 6% tax, so 42%(I won't criticize his math here), so it's a 6-7% difference in salary. With my salary 6% is a lot more than the $30,000 an insurance would cost me. I understand that it probably works out better for the middle class - you pay higher taxes but get a free health care system. In my case I'd rather buy an insurance, and pay lower taxes.
Starting @ 44:30 - 48:25
I: Well this day was already worth it, because I finally understood why there are such strict restrictions in place. So that my audience understands, Canada is probably the strictest country with the strictest COVID restrictions. You can't go anywhere without a vaccine, you have to wear a mask everywhere. I guess that's why they are worried because if something happens they simply won't be able to handle it.
Z: You saw yesterday, they actually forced a couple of people(fans) to leave. People who weren't wearing masks.
I: Yes, they even ask people to leave mid-game. You only get one warning.
Z: You get two warnings. It's just that the healthcare system can't handle it. I think that the whole system is built incorrectly. In the US, you have a population of $360M, $30M live without insurance, that's quite a high number. People that can't afford it if they come to the hospital might get a $5,000 bill, that they pay until the rest of their life, but they still have to help that person if something happens. It's a double edged sword. For me personally, I'd rather pay for insurance and use it whenever I like, instead of waiting for 3 months to do a vaccine for my kid. My youngest had to do a set of vaccinations on after he/she(I think it's a she) turned one. The vaccines were from Hepatitis, Chickenpox and so on. And then there's the next set of vaccines that we're supposed to do at 1 year and 4 months. My youngest is 1 year and 4 months old already, and we have yet to do the first part of the vaccinations, so we have to wait.
While Zadorov might be well spoken, this is a whole lot of BS.
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While Zadorov might be well spoken, this is a whole lot of BS.
It's his opinion. I guess it's his impression, and it's not like he is trying to convince people that the US is better. He is asked about it. He also discusses it from the point of view of someone where money is not an object, so yes it is a little biased in my opinion.
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It seems that Russians perceive Canada as an overtaxed and over regulated Country. Likely a big reason why when given the choice they typically avoid signing with Canadian teams unless it's an overpayment.
Whereas Swedish players seem to be less bothered by it the taxes, and do not seem to avoid playing in Canada as much.
There is no way he will resign here unless the team severely overpays.
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While Zadorov might be well spoken, this is a whole lot of BS.
Which part?
-high taxes: true
-people keep to themselves more in canada : true
-Healthcare is a universal system with no private option: mostly true
-Quebec and Ontario locked down: true
As far as I can tell, those are the facts and the rest is a matter of opinion or BTS stuff he would have no reason to lie about.
Which part?
-high taxes: true
-people keep to themselves more in canada : true
-Healthcare is a universal system with no private option: mostly true
-Quebec and Ontario locked down: true
As far as I can tell, those are the facts and the rest is a matter of opinion or BTS stuff he would have no reason to lie about.
When have you ever waited months for a doctor or dentist appointment (and dentists have nothing to do with free health care). 3 month wait for vaccines? Maybe Covid vaxxed but that was because of availability of new supply and the rollout targeting older folks, not because of free health care. Certainly not for any other vaxx.
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Waiting 3-4 months for a doctors or dentist appointment is BS.
The fact that they have to wait for a vaccine for their child because the system is free is BS.
There is absolutely a private element of health care in Canada - every doctor is private and many of the facilities are in fact corporations. There are many surgeries that you can pay out of pocket for. What Zadorov wants is a system that has two tiers and rich people like him can pay to get ahead of other people who need the same surgery.
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When have you ever waited months for a doctor or dentist appointment (and dentists have nothing to do with free health care). 3 month wait for vaccines? Maybe Covid vaxxed but that was because of availability of new supply and the rollout targeting older folks, not because of free health care. Certainly not for any other vaxx.
I know I definitely had to wait for half a year for an MRI, and about the same length of time when I was assigned a neurologist(about 3 months I believe). That was in 2010 though, so I don't have any more recent experiences. As far as dental, and family doctor, yeah that stuff goes by quickly.
To me it seemed that he was disappointed he couldn't get his 1 year old vaccinated(not from COVID), but just the regular set of vaccines that they do around that age.
Waiting 3-4 months for a doctors or dentist appointment is BS.
The fact that they have to wait for a vaccine for their child because the system is free is BS.
There is absolutely a private element of health care in Canada - every doctor is private and many of the facilities are in fact corporations. There are many surgeries that you can pay out of pocket for. What Zadorov wants is a system that has two tiers and rich people like him can pay to get ahead of other people who need the same surgery.
To his credit (I suppose) he pretty much says this. He’s honest anyway. I think his understanding of the systems is just a little thin and he may have been fed some bad info.
When have you ever waited months for a doctor or dentist appointment (and dentists have nothing to do with free health care). 3 month wait for vaccines? Maybe Covid vaxxed but that was because of availability of new supply and the rollout targeting older folks, not because of free health care. Certainly not for any other vaxx.
My daughter had to wait 2 months for her vaccines. I have had to wait 5-6 months for a specialist twice (neck fracture) , the burn clinic postponed my appointment by 2 months just this year. My sister in law has waited for specialist appointments 3-4 months multiple times in the last few years. So yes, in my experience our system can be slow and troublesome, but you get what you pay for I guess.
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I know I definitely had to wait for half a year for an MRI, and about the same length of time when I was assigned a neurologist(about 3 months I believe). That was in 2010 though, so I don't have any more recent experiences. As far as dental, and family doctor, yeah that stuff goes by quickly.
To me it seemed that he was disappointed he couldn't get his 1 year old vaccinated(not from COVID), but just the regular set of vaccines that they do around that age.
Yes, you wait for specialists. Though you can get a private MRI, so that is exactly what he wants. I took “doctors appointments” to mean just going to see a GP. I can get in tomorrow, and walk in clinics are a thing as well. And, as I said, dentists are private anyway, so any wait is just business.
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Yes, you wait for specialists. Though you can get a private MRI, so that is exactly what he wants. I took “doctors appointments” to mean just going to see a GP. I can get in tomorrow, and walk in clinics are a thing as well. And, as I said, dentists are private anyway, so any wait is just business.
Dude why keep bringing dentists into it? Literally all he says is that dental isnt free and he doesnt have benefits... still trying to see what was "a whole bunch of BS" . Cause what he said is all factually true or very close.
