“When he came in the league, he was the best player, and I mean he’s still the best player,” Kucherov said. The other part becomes a reality Friday night, when the Lightning open the Eastern Conference final against Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals. “It’s great competition to play against the best players and then against your countrymen,” Kucherov said. “I think it’s great for Russia to see the young guys come into North America and go through the CHL, AHL and then make it to the NHL,” he added. They don’t care about the money in the KHL, they want to be in the best league and play against the best.

Source: thestar May 11, 2018 00:56 UTC