Zednik hoping to sing when he’s winning

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2002

By Lucas Aykroyd

Americans say “Zee,” but since 13 March 2001, the Montreal Canadiens have been saying “Zed.” The acquisition of fleet right wing Richard Zednik from the Washington Capitals along with Jan Bulis on that date looks like a minor coup for the Habs at this writing, since the players they shipped south have either struggled (Dainius Zubrus) or been traded (Trevor Linden). The 26-year-old native of Bystrica, Slovakia is on pace to surpass his single-season points high of 35 (19-16-35 in 1999-2000 and 16-19-35 in 2000-01). It’s harder to foresee whether he’ll enjoy similar success on the team level, since a .500 record won’t get you into the playoffs anymore. Zednik’s favorite CD is Sing When You’re Winning by Robbie Williams, but the seven-year NHL veteran probably isn’t warbling in the shower after his team lost nine out of 15 games last month. EuroReport’s Lucas Aykroyd spoke with the former star of the WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks after Montreal dropped a 5-2 decision to the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place on 3 January.

EuroReport: Overall, what does this team need to do to stay in the playoff race?

Richard Zednik: We have three more games on the road, so we have to get at least four points from those three games. Then we’re going to go home. January is important for us. We have to stay close.

EuroReport: Looking back, you had a pretty good December offensively. How do you feel about your personal performance this season?

Zednik: It’s getting better. I had a bit of a slow start, but I feel comfortable now, playing my game. I want to help this team make the playoffs and that’s the number one thing.

EuroReport: You’re leading Montreal in shots on goal. Is that an important statistic for you?

Zednik: Well, you know, that’s just a way to assess my chances. It’s a good thing. If you don’t shoot, you’re never going to score! [laughs] I tend to finish when I have lots of chances, and that means I had a good game.

EuroReport: How has the chemistry on the team changed since Martin Rucinsky and Benoit Brunet were traded?

Zednik: It’s tough to say. Audette got injured, you know, and he’s out for the season. He came to us looking really good on the PP and everything, but now we have to play without him. It’s pretty tough, but we’re carrying on. We have to focus. We have good depth on the team and we just have to play our game.

EuroReport: How has the team dealt with the season-long absence of Saku Koivu?

Zednik: It’s huge, a tough loss. But like I said, we just have to play. We knew that he wasn’t going to be with us all season. We were prepared for that from the start.

EuroReport: Richard, one aspect of your style that’s quite noticeable is that you skate with your legs very wide apart. How did you develop that habit?

Zednik: When I was young, I was skating a lot with my dad. He always took me out on the ice, and that’s why. He always told me, “Stay low.” It helps my balance.

EuroReport: How much pressure do you get from the fans you meet in Montreal?

Zednik: It’s much bigger than in Washington. There, we didn’t have much pressure. But in Montreal, everybody’s talking about hockey. Everybody knows the game.

EuroReport: What do you think about the way the NHL has dealt with the issue of releasing players for the Preliminary Round of the Olympics?

Zednik: Well, they didn’t, you know? If the owners and GMs want to let us go, we can go, but they didn’t do anything about it. It’s a bit disappointing, but at least Slovakia has a few players who get to go there, so we’ll see.

EuroReport: How close do you feel you are to achieving your potential as a player, Richard?

Zednik: I’m getting there. But still, I want to be one of the top players for Montreal and hopefully I can continue to improve.