"Many concerns": are transfers expected for Gatiyatulin and how did "Ak Bars" come out of vacation?

      Kazan's players have started their preseason training. What mood are the hockey players and the head coach of the team in?

      Photo: Dinar Fatyhov

      Kazan's Ak Bars has begun preparations for the new KHL season. Tomorrow, the players will head to Almetyevsk to play their first friendly match against the local Neftyanik. How is the first week of preseason going for the club and what mood is head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin in — in the material of Realnoe Vremya.

      "Eight people have left — a lot needs to be started anew"

      Ak Bars has officially come out of summer vacation. This week, the team began its first ice training sessions. The players are getting into the training process, gaining rhythm and shape, while the newcomers are going through the adaptation process.

      — There are many concerns. Eight people have left — a lot needs to be started anew. We can compare our years to a hockey rink. In the first year, we reached the near blue line, analyzed our performance, and worked on our mistakes. In the second season, we reached the face-off dots in attack, meaning we were just short of crossing the far goal line. We are returning to our goal line and starting from there, — commented the start of preseason training head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin.

      Dinar Fatyhov / realnoevremya.ru

      Traditionally, during the summer training camps, the coaching staff of the Kazan club actively involves youth in training with the first team. There were many unfamiliar faces for the wider audience during today's open training: Mekhovov, Zinoviev, Chetverikov, Safin, Yakupov, Galeev, Makmutov, Bardin, Samigullin. There were also those who previously played consistently for Ak Bars but then went down to farm clubs: Bykov, Almetkin, Zhulin.

      Anvar Gatiyatulin does not hide that Ak Bars faced serious restructuring this summer. A third of the players from the squad that reached the Gagarin Cup final last season have left. The coaching staff has serious work ahead of them before the start of the regular championship to establish chemistry in the lines and, if possible, provide the main team with a strong reserve, consisting mainly of young hockey players.

      — For two seasons, I have said that we need to develop not only the youth but also the more experienced players. Many guys have taken on different roles and had some of their best seasons. As we develop our experienced players, we will also develop our youth. You understand that important players have left, and from the acquisitions, there is only one newcomer. We will look and give chances. We will attract those who will fit. The arithmetic is simple: eight hockey players have left, seven of whom played important roles, not only on the ice but also in the locker room, — noted Gatiyatulin in a conversation with a correspondent from Realnoe Vremya.

      Will Dadonov and Kane make it to Ak Bars?

      Over the two summer months, Ak Bars has signed only forward Alexey Byvalcev, who previously played for Avtomobilist in the KHL. The transfers of Vyacheslav Peksa and Nikita Yevseyev do not count, as they are essentially homegrown players who had previously left Ak Bars for other clubs for a short time.

      Dinar Fatyhov / realnoevremya.ru

      In the process of discussing the transfer selection of the Kazan club, Anvar Gatiyatulin was as tactful as ever, trying to show an upbeat spirit. Although, of course, it was humanly disappointing for the coach that only a small core of players remained from last year's almost championship team.

      Now the head coach of Ak Bars has to rebuild a strong team capable of tackling high goals in the upcoming KHL season. But this will be objectively difficult if quality transfers do not happen soon. In the last month, there have been active discussions in the press that forwards Evgeny Dadonov and Evander Kane could join Ak Bars. But for now, according to Gatiyatulin, this is nothing more than rumors.

      — Last season, I said that there is no point in discussing players we do not have. Negotiations were held with Merkulov, Lettyeri, but what is the point of discussing them? If there are newcomers, then it makes sense to raise this issue, — explained the coach.

      Gatiyatulin is waiting for a response from Shafranov, while Yevseyev wants to get rid of the feeling of unspoken words

      The question remains relevant as to whether Konstantin Shafranov will remain in the coaching staff of Ak Bars for the next season. The specialist was responsible for working with the forwards in the Kazan club. Under Konstantin Shafranov, most of Ak Bars noticeably transformed last season. He was a coach with unquestionable authority in Anvar Gatiyatulin's staff.

      — We spoke just a couple of days ago. Due to family circumstances, he has not made a final decision. We will wait, — said Anvar Gatiyatulin hopefully.

      Dinar Fatyhov / realnoevremya.ru

      On August 6, Ak Bars will play its first friendly match as part of the summer preseason training. The Kazan team will meet Neftyanik and play in Almetyevsk. The debut of both forward Alexey Byvalcev and defender Nikita Yevseyev is expected.

      As the 32-year-old forward reported, his adaptation process in Ak Bars is going well.

      — Everything is good: I got in right away, fought with the guys. Just kidding, everything is fine. I was welcomed well, I played with some guys in the national team, we know each other well, — noted Byvalcev.

      Nikita Yevseyev, for his part, indicated that he has a certain feeling of unspoken words from previous seasons with Ak Bars. The hockey player wants to prove himself and show that he deserves to be a main defender of the Kazan club.

      — Probably, I want to show myself and prove a lot to myself and those around me. There was a feeling of unspoken words, — emphasized Yevseyev.

      Evgeny Romanov

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      Kazan's players have started their preseason training. What mood are the hockey players and the head coach of the team in?

      Photo: Dinar Fatyhov

      Kazan's Ak Bars has begun preparations for the new KHL season. 16:13 05.08.2026 Realnoe Vremya - Kazan

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