Assuming nothing was lost in translation or taken out of context, Predators forward Sergei Kostitsyn will have some explaining to do when he returns to the NHL.
If, that is, he returns to the NHL.
According to a Reuters report (via an interview with Russian daily Sport-Express), Kostitsyn “hated” (Reuters’ word) life in North America and called Columbus “the gloomiest” (his words) city in the United States.
“I couldn’t get used to (American) mentality. They are totally different people from us,” he said.
Kostitsyn, 25, also wants the NHL to go ahead and cancel the season now if there’s going to be no hockey.
“Let’s put it this way – it would be better (for the players) if the lockout continues,” he said.
“Players want a definite answer. If the NHL season is lost – let it be that way. I would then play in Russia for the whole season.”
Kostitsyn recently signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Preds.
Currently he’s playing in Siberia with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.
We hear winter in Siberia isn’t gloomy in the least.