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Former Canadiens defenseman Malakhov opens up on tough Montreal years and wife's career-saving advice
Vladimir Malakhov, the former Montreal Canadiens player who is now employed by the Islanders, had strongly recommended the selection of Alexander Zharovsky.
But Kent Hughes cut the grass from under his feet by selecting him early in the second round of the last draft.
That said, the now 57-year-old gave a long interview to journalist Daria Tuboltseva of RG Media, which was shared by Marco D'Amico, and Malakhov reflected on his time with the Canadiens.
At a certain point, the relationship between him and the Montreal media was not very pleasant, notably because he did not speak English well. The situation led him to stop giving interviews to journalists, which earned him a great deal of criticism from some of them.
Malakhov was deeply affected and even thought about retiring, but his wife gave him good advice:
"In Montreal I started fighting with the media - and you must stay on good terms with them. I simply started refusing interviews. They were writing negative stuff, I was trying to fix things in my game, and I buried myself.
I once told my wife: 'I should retire.' She said: 'Are you stupid? Stop reading those idiots.'
I stopped - and everything improved. I slowly began talking to reporters again.
- Vladimir Malakhov
I once told my wife: 'I should retire.' She said: 'Are you stupid? Stop reading those idiots.'
I stopped - and everything improved. I slowly began talking to reporters again.
- Vladimir Malakhov
Links to the young Montreal Canadiens forward, Ivan Demidov?
The situation the big defenseman experienced with the Canadiens might worry some fans of the team about Ivan Demidov, however the DLC website offered an interesting and reassuring clarification.
"There may be a link to make with Ivan Demidov because he comes from there and because he is still learning English.
But the difference is that times have changed. And players are also much better supported off the ice.
The guys are a little more protected, in a sense.
And that is a good thing because it can ease their adaptation to the market- which can be really unique at times."
- DansLesCoulisses
But the difference is that times have changed. And players are also much better supported off the ice.
The guys are a little more protected, in a sense.
And that is a good thing because it can ease their adaptation to the market- which can be really unique at times."
- DansLesCoulisses
Because let's say it: Vladimir Malakhov's stay in the Quebec metropolis ended turbulently in the winter of 2000, when he went skiing at Mont-Tremblant despite being on the injured list.
The media talked about it extensively and, when he returned to play, fans did not hesitate to boo Vladimir Malakhov every time he touched the puck.
You can see this for yourself by watching the following video from his last game in Montreal in 2000.
A few days later, Réjean Houle, who was the Canadiens GM at the time, traded him to the New Jersey Devils in return for a certain Sheldon Souray.
It is probably the best-and only good-trade he made during his five-year tenure with the Canadiens.