Lang time coming

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2002

By Lucas Aykroyd

Pittsburgh seems to be the spiritual home for Czech NHLers, and that hasn’t changed much even since the early season firing of Head Coach Ivan Hlinka. Robert Lang is a case in point. Early in his NHL career, it looked like he didn’t have a prayer in North America. The crafty center was unable to parlay two strong seasons with Litvinov of the Czech Extraleague into success with the Los Angeles Kings, accumulating just 58 points in black and silver from 1992-93 to 1995-96. But Lang’s fortunes began to improve when the Penguins claimed him off waivers from the Boston Bruins on 25 October, 1997. The 6-2, 220-pound veteran has become a mainstay with Pittsburgh, notching a career-high 80 points (32-48-80) last season on a dynamic line with Martin Straka and Alexei Kovalev. This year, he’s keeping the faith as the team scoring leader, with Mario Lemieux just having returned from a hip injury. Lang recorded his 300th career point on 10 January with a goal against Buffalo. EuroReport’s Lucas Aykroyd caught up with the 31-year-old recently to discuss the highs and lows of Pittburgh’s erratic season and the coming Olympics.

EuroReport: How satisfied are you with the team’s play so far this season?

Robert Lang: It’s a battle. Last year, it was a lot different team and definitely the injuries this year have made it really difficult. Hopefully we can turn it around and make a good season out of it.

EuroReport: Looking back at your career, why do you think you had a hard time scoring in the NHL until you came to the Penguins?

Lang: Well, I didn’t really play in L.A., and every time you have a skill player and you don’t really give him the chance to play or the ice time, it’s really hard to do anything at this level. Here, I just got a chance to play and show what I can do.

EuroReport: How has your game been affected with both Martin Straka and Alexei Kovalev out of the lineup at times?

Lang: Marty and Kovy [Alexei Kovalev] had their career years by far last year. They were spectacular. Unfortunately both got hurt this year. It’s been tough. You miss those guys. If you have guys who score 90 points in this league and they’re out, you’re going to feel that. Again, you just have to battle.

EuroReport: What role do you expect to play on the Olympic team next month?

Lang: Just help to win the gold medal! I don’t think you have “roles” at the Olympics. It’s so short and every game you play is a must-win. So I don’t care if I have to be the tight checker on somebody or whatever. You just have to make the best out of it.

EuroReport: Who do you see as the favorite to win the gold medal in Salt Lake City?

Lang: I can’t say anybody. If you put the U.S., Canada, Russians, Swedes and us all together, all those five teams are unbelievable. It’s going to be a matter of who gets hot at the right time and a little luck on their side.

EuroReport: You’ve got so many nationalities in this dressing room. Have you made any bets with your teammates about what will happen at the Olympics?

Lang [laughing]: No, we never did. You’re just hoping for the best for your country, obviously, and all that stuff. You just go in there and do your best.

EuroReport: I understand you spend your off-seasons in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Do you ever bump into Mark Messier down there?

Lang: Yeah, I know Mark pretty well. He’s a nice guy. We play a couple of rounds of golf every now and then.

EuroReport: Nicer on the golf course than he is at the rink?

Lang [laughing]: Yeah, he has a lot more problems on the golf course than he does on the ice! It’s fun spending time with him down there.

EuroReport: You’re heading into unrestricted free agency this summer. What would it take for you to return in a Penguins uniform next season?

Lang: I don’t really think about it. I don’t want to say this amount or that amount. It’s really just a matter of communication between [GM] Craig [Patrick] and our side. Hopefully things will work out.