La Presse reveals a bombshell.

I am up since only five minutes and already heard something that could spice the discussions in town all day long. Before I start I must say that Alexei Kovalev is negating the veracity of this... but you'll be the judge.

La Presse newspaper wrote this morning that Alex Kovalev gave an interview in russian to Regina Sevostianova, a regular russian journalist working for ''soccer-hockey'', a serious russian weekly publication, last February 26th.

In this translated russian interview, Kovalev said that the russian players among the Montreal Canadiens team were victim of discrimination by head coach Guy Carbonneau, the french canadian fans, by the Montreal written press and was also referring to 110%. (a french canadian 11PM hot stove)

And he didn't stop just there: he also said that french canadian players were protecting each other in the lockeroom, that it is everyone for himself between the other players. Kovalev also added that teammate Sergei Samsonov did suffer discrimination too. And finally spitted out that the team's young players like Guillaume Latendresse, Maxim Lapierre and Jaroslav Halak have a lot of heart but lack intelligence.

In Montreal, two main source argue on the existence of such an interview. Le Journal de Montreal says that such an interview never took place while La Presse says that it is the absolute truth. La Presse failed to get the audio tape of the interview between Regina Sevostianova and Alex Kovalev but managed to translate a written transcription of the conversation.

Now my own comments. I feel bad about the discrimination thing. When I discuss with french canadian fans in Montreal I often hear criticism about Kovalev's offensive production, general play or his work ethic. But I have never heard either racist or discriminatory declarations in the media or in the general fan base. The fans complain about his work, but to go out there and play the discrimination card is low.

The fans in Montreal will give you their shirt if you manage to make them win. They will always consider you a part of them in you come to work come puck drop. By criticizing hard working teammates like Latendresse, Lapierre and Halak, Kovalev goes over the top. Maybe I will give an update later on. Right now the press is on fire.

Oh...the day is not over! :)