:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/713273/151963604.0.jpg)
This is it, yesterday the NHL cancelled the schedule for the first two weeks. The league can still reschedule and play an 82 game season, but it's looking unlikely. On the up side, ESPN 3 will begin broadcasting KHL games! So it will be possible to catch a glimpse of Ilya Kovalchuk and Vladimir Zharkov in action. There is also one more Devil abroad, Marek Zidlicky in the Czech Extraliga. Continue on after the jump to see what the Devils abroad have been up to.
Stats
|
Player |
League |
Team |
GP |
G |
A |
P |
PIM |
+/- |
|
Ilya Kovalchuk |
KHL |
SKA St. Petersburg |
4 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
4 |
|
Vadimir Zharkov |
KHL |
CSKA Moscow |
10 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Marek Zidlicky |
Czech Extraliga |
HC Kladno |
7 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
14 |
6 |
Kovalchuk is continuing to impress in the KHL. Kovalchuk is tied for fifth on SKA St. Petersburg for scoring. If Kovy keeps up this pace, we could see him lead the KHL in points. There are a few videos of Kovalchuk on Youtube. I found a video of Kovalchuk's first point in the KHL this season; a beautiful setup pass that leads to a goal. Also, Here is Kovalchuk's first goal of the season. Kovalchuk streaks up the ice and gets a last second pass for a nice backdoor goal.
Vladimir Zharkov picked up a goal for the second straight week in a row. He is tied for third on CSKA Moscow for goals scored.
As for Marek Zidlicky, he is having a splendid early season in the Czech Extraliga. He has 5 assists through 7 games. However, he does have 14 penalty minutes as well. I'm not quite sure how he got all those penalty minutes... If anyone finds why, let me know.
Which Devils May be Headed Abroad?
There may be a few Devils in the coming weeks that believe this lockout will last awhile now that real games are being cancelled. Who knows, we may see a mass exodus of high quality players to the KHL.
Other Notes
Kovalchuk, the captain of SKA, had an interview with a Russian news station and said that he doesn't mind playing in the KHL as long as he's playing the game he loves. Bad-ass
As always, thanks for reading, even if the NHL and your team is locked out. If you'd like to follow the stats for these players, follow the links below. Also, the Czech site for HC Kladno is in Czech, so you need to translate the page, I would suggest Google Chrome.
HC Kladno Record (6-3)
CSKA Moscow Record (8-4)
SKA St. Petersburg Record (6-4)