Zavarukhin Discusses Blakers Potential Move to Avangard: Contracts and Commitments Remain Key

The head coach of «Avtomobilist,» **Nikolai Zavarukhin**, commented on the potential negotiations between the team’s defenseman **Jesse Blacker** and «Avangard.»

«Individual mistakes? We’ll take a look, analyze the game and those errors. Nevertheless, I praised the team for their character. «Ak Bars» played phenomenally, and their skilled players determined the outcome. «Ak Bars» performed at a very high level. We’ll discuss this with the leaders, but Golyshev scored, showcasing his talent as well.

Does Maxim Denezhkin bring good luck? If he does, we’ll bring him back. Is **Jesse Blacker** in talks with «Avangard»? Not with «Ak Bars»? I thought he was negotiating with «Ak Bars,» I heard something along those lines. We haven’t had any such stories, but summer will clarify where each player will end up. It’s too early to discuss that now.

Every player has a contract and must fulfill their obligations to the club. You’ll see come summer who moves where. We don’t bring this topic up; we have an excellent team, a great locker room, and a positive atmosphere. A possible transfer doesn’t affect a player’s motivation—it’s a completely different matter.

Why did you throw the puck into the stands? It’s not a superstition; I had a friend sitting in the stands, and I wanted to toss him the puck,» Zavarukhin’s words were relayed by Championship correspondent Rustam Imamov.