Oleg Znarok: "We will focus on all components"

Oleg Znarok, Russian national team head coach:

- We have trained well, the guys are up for it. We will analyse how the players recover from this session, and there is enough time to improve their physical state. Our preparation will hold a lot of bearing.

- What do you want to focus on during the training process?

- Everything.

- Do you know your team captain?

- No, This will be a collective decision between the players and coaches.

- When will you decide who will be your number one goaltender?

- We will make a decision after the friendly matches against the Czech Republic and Canada.

- Have you already sorted out your line combinations?

- Only two of them. Tomorrow, the rest of the players will join up with us.

- Most people always think that Russia are much better going forward.

- Everyone has to help out in defence too. If we do that, everything will be fine.

- At these friendly matches, will the players hold back as to not pick up an injury? Everyone wants to compete at the World Cup.

- We have a team of professionals. Ice hockey is the main thing in their lives, they can't live without it.

- Soon, you will play a game against Canada in Pittsburgh. What can we expect from it?

- It will be a physical match.

- Are three matches enough to get into ideal shape?

- I don't know. 

- Can you compare the level of the Olympic Games and the World Cup?

- I played at two Olympics, but have never been at a World Cup. I can answer this question when we return.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation