“I want to be more shooter, more dangerous, close to the net.” 

“When I came to North America, it was hard. It was hard to understand, hard to get someone to understand me. I only knew Russian. I studied French in school, but it didn’t help. I forgot most of that.” 

“I didn’t see a lot of NHL in Russia, but a couple of games I did see I liked and it made me want to try to be there.” 

"Coming to Detroit was great for me.” 

“Brett [Hull] is a funny guy. He always talked a lot. For me, sometimes pointing works best. I could see in my mind what he was saying. I saw plays work. He gave me confidence to play better. He pushed me to do more. But I tried to learn to shoot like him … but it was impossible.” 

“I wasn’t strong when I was young. The puck was maybe too heavy. I guess I tried to move the puck from side to side to keep from getting hit.” 

“I only want Detroit. I want to start and finish with one team. This team. Detroit.” 

“What do I like to do away from hockey? Soccer, tennis. Even go into the training room. And golf. But I’m not so good at golf. Lots of lost balls.” 

“I don’t remember those early playoff games. Keep it positive. I’m a different player. More focused. I know how important it is to score in the playoffs.”

“I need to shoot.” 

“It has taken me six years to start shooting  It’s a new generation out there with Ovechkin and Kovalchuk. They like to shoot.”

“When I started shooting it just gives my partners more chances for rebounds. It opens up more room.”