Kozy: Washington wanted me to stay, but I've played enough in the NHL.
34 year old Viktor Kozlov singed (sic) a three year contract with Salavat Yulaev. Washington's ex-forward told to a reporter of Sovetski Sport his reason for ending his 14 season NHL career.
Kozy: When I've been singing (sic) a two year contract with Washington two years ago, I've already began to think to return to Russia. I wanted to play home as long I have strength/ phasical ability. I've started to prepare me moraly for this step ... I've decided to play in a good NHL team and then to return home.
reporter: Do you mean Washington was your "swan song" ( last act before death) in the NHL? There is no return with 37 years.
Kozy: Return for me ... I've played enogh there already and there is a process of rejuvenation in the NHL. I have to go to Russia as long I'm needed there.
reporter: The team in Washington is changing quite a lot. Fedorov, Brashear leaving and now you ....
Kozy: But the core stays. The Capitals have Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Green. Who to add to them - isn't important. Anybody can play with this players of this caliber.
reporter: Did you have offers in the NHL?
Kozy: Yes, and serious ones. Even Washington wanted me to stay, but I've decided already...
reporter: It seems that you gain monetary singing (sic) with Salava Yulaev.
Kozy: Yes. But looking at it from the side you can not earn all the money ...
I cannot help but notice that many of the goals scored in the finals have come by the sticks of the lesser lights.
sidenote......if I were babcock ,I would dress Abdelkader for game 7 in place of one of these 3...Samuelson(sp?),Hudler or "Ghost"Hossa.
Ghost............for his invisible act in the Finals
Heard that some are starting to call him ....Caspar(friendly ghost)
