Tampa Bay Lightning: Talking To Mikhail Shalagin

On June 22nd, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected 6 players. Among them was 198th overall selection, Mikhail Shalagin. I was granted the privilege to speak with the 19-year-old out of Russia. 

Shalagin’s Background

In the VHL, Shalagin played 7 games, scoring 2 goals. Meanwhile, in the KHL, he played 4 games but failed to register any points. He wound up rejoining the MHL for the postseason, playing 3 games with no points. 

LastWordOnHockey’s Ben Kerr had this to say about Shalagin: "Shalagin’s size and skill are an intriguing combination. He will need to add muscle and continue to work on his skating going forward. This makes him a bit of a project. While he has some serious deficiencies, the skills he possesses are also at a very high level. This means that if he can correct those deficiencies he could have an excellent NHL career. Shalagin may be a bit of a gamble, and there is a chance he could be a bust, but if he can develop there is also real high-end potential here."

The Interview With Mikhail Shalagin 

Kyle: How has your schedule changed since being drafted? Or has it been somewhat the same as your schedule playing in Russia? 

Shalagin: So far, the schedule is completely different, [I’m] not familiar [with it]. The season is already beginning in Russia right now, not much is [unusual] right now without a team, but I think in the near future everything [with the schedule] will change. 

K: Do you find it easier joining the Lightning knowing that there are other Russian players there too in [Nikita] Kucherov, [Andrei] Vasilevskiy and [Oleg] Sosunov? Does it make you more comfortable with other Russian players to talk to?

S: Well, of course, it’s easier that there are Russians, I think we will not leave each other[‘s sides] in trouble, but personally I need to communicate more with foreigners to improve my [English].

K: Obviously being drafted is a big deal and it means you’re a super talented player. However, there is always more work to do to make it to the NHL. What are some things that you personally are working to improve? 

S: I’m working on everything, you can’t stop at anything [that you’ve] achieved, what [player’s] chosen in the draft doesn’t mean that you will play in the NHL, the work [put in] is not [used as] an edge yet. 

K: Is there anything in specific that you’re focused on improving? 

S: No, I’m working on everything. 

K: What have you liked the most about being a part of an NHL team? What has been the toughest part after being drafted? 

S: I liked absolutely everything, very pleased with everything. 

K: Last question: What player on the Lightning has become your closest friend? 

S: In such a [short] time (summer camp), no one can become the closest friend. Well, the Russian guys we met there are very good and will always help. 

Thank you to Mikhail Shalagin for allowing me to interview him on behalf of Overtime Heroics. Best of luck in your future endeavours and I cannot wait to see you wearing the Lightning blue!

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