The Toronto media is notoriously difficult to deal with for many players around the NHL. Carolina Hurricanes forward Evgeny Kuznetsov ripped into the Toronto media today for the way they treat players both home and away.
Kuznetsov Insults Toronto Media
During a recent interview before a game in Toronto, new Carolina Hurricane Evgeny Kuznetsov sounded off. Kuznetsov took his time with the media to rip into them, particularly for their treatment of his fellow countryman Ilya Samsonov.
You guys have been so hard on the players here in general and over time. I'm glad he (Samsonov) doesn't speak English well, so he doesn't understand everything and that is huge for him. - Kuznetsov on Leafs media and fans being too hard on Samsonov earlier this season
Samsonov had an infamously difficult start to the year. Due to his frustrating play, the media lit into Samsonov for months on end. Now he has gotten back on track and is back in the good graces of the Toronto media.
Samsonov Rebounding At The Exact Right Time
Over his last 10 starts, Ilya Samsonov has rebounded well. He has kept the Maple Leafs in basically every game they played. This includes his stellar play on the road winning 7 games on the road in a row.
Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves and helped the @MapleLeafs improve to 20-7-6 as visitors this season. Toronto's .697 point percentage on the road is second best in the NHL behind only Florida (.735).
Samsonov will need to continue his impressive play and keep tuning out the Toronto media as the playoffs get close. The noise will only continue to get louder as the games become more important for a desperate Maple Leafs team.