Former Capitals' Defenceman Had Issues With His Coach's Decision Before Being Traded
It seems that defenceman Dmitry Orlov was against Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette constantly making defenceman Alex Alexeyev a healthy scratch. Orlov spoke out in an interview after being traded to the Boston Bruins.
Alexeyev has had a tough transition to the NHL, spending most of the season as a healthy scratch until the team moved two veteran, left-handed defenceman at the trade deadline. Alexeyev has since become a consistent presence in the Capitals' lineup, playing in twenty five games and contributing five assists.
«I'm glad that they started to let Alexeyev play,» Orlov said and translated via Google Translate, «It took a long time to happen. I was against keeping him in reserve.»
According to a recent article on Russian Machine Never Breaks, Dmitry Orlov has reveled his discontent with the Captials' handling of his good friend and fellow defenceman, Alex Alexeyev. In the interview, Orlov discussed how he disagreed with head coach Peter Laviolette decision to make Alexeyev a healthy scratch on numerous occasions.
Alexeyev says he saw the opportunity coming when the deals featuring Orlov and Erik Gustafsson were made.
«Yes, it was clear when Orlov was exchanged,» Alexeyev told Tuboltseva in his own interview and also translated via Google Translate, «He's a left-handed defender like me. And Gustafsson is also left-handed. We phoned the agent after the trade, came to the conclusion that they would let me play, and we should use this chance.»
Orlov has expressed his happiness that Alexeyev was finally given the chance to play on a consistent basis. Alexeyev credits Orlov for being his mentor both on and off the ice.
«In Washington, he was a mentor for me, he helped me in everything, prompted me on the ice and off the ice,» Alexeyev said, «And Dima is just a good person. When he was injured and I was recovering, we spent more time on the ice, we trained more. And yes, he told me, ‘I wish they had already given you to play.' Unfortunately, they let me play when he left.»
| POLL | ||
MARS 28 | 63 ANSWERS Former Capitals' Defenceman Had Issues With His Coach's Decision Before Being Traded Do you think Peter Laviolette is a good coach? | ||
| Yes, has the Stanley Cup as proof | 28 | 44.4 % |
| No, too many stories of players not agreeing | 35 | 55.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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