For me, it is the worst kind of sacrilege if you are given some of special talent and you don't take advantage of this gift.

I don't try to be anything. I just want to play my game.

If I was on a third or fourth line I would probably be in the NHL, because you don't have to produce every night.

Russia has got to be the team to beat, in my opinion. When they are playing together as a team, they are tough to beat.

It's tough in the NHL; you have to produce on a high level. And everybody expects you to do it because you make a lot of money. And I never minded it. I always want to be that guy.

My goal was to play in the NHL, because that is the best hockey in the world.

I'm not 21 and trying to prove something with my words.