Goal for Selivanov is to stick with team
Saturday, September 21, 2002
By Dave Molinari, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Penguins didn't invite Alexander Selivanov to training camp because he could upgrade their penalty-killing or because his shot-blocking is so fearless that it becomes contagious.
The simple truth is that he was granted a tryout because he's been a reliable goal-scorer throughout his career.
He scored 31 while playing for Tampa in 1995-96. Chipped in 27 more in Edmonton three years later. Added another 26 in 58 games with Frankfurt in Germany last winter.
"I love doing that," Selivanov said. "That's why I'm here."
He hasn't done enough of it in the early days of camp to persuade management to offer him a contract, though. Selivanov, 31, was pretty much invisible in the team's camp tournament at Southpointe earlier this week, although his profile rose considerably last night.
Selivanov scored the Penguins' first goal in their 4-4 exhibition tie with New Jersey at Pepsi Arena, whipping a shot past goalie Corey Schwab at 7:32 of the first period.
He nearly put the Penguins in front a few minutes later, when he picked off a Patrik Elias pass and transformed the turnover into a quality scoring chance.
Last night's game was Selivanov's first significant test, because Penguins officials had cautioned against putting undue emphasis on how some players, particularly veterans, perform in drills in scrimmages.
Just a few hours before the opening faceoff, Coach Rick Kehoe acknowledged Selivanov's lackluster showing to that point but hastened to note that, "some guys just aren't practice [players]."
Consider Selivanov's work last night compelling evidence that Kehoe was correct.
The odds are stacked against players on a tryout -- they must, in many cases, dramatically outperform someone under contract in order to earn a job -- although Selivanov insists he is not focused on the long term, that he is taking pretty much a shift-by-shift approach to camp.
"I'm not even thinking about a contract right now," he said. "I'm just thinking about getting confidence in myself and playing hard. Just go on the ice, do your best and put the puck in the net."
And, perhaps, even prevent a few opponents from doing the same. For while offense remains his forte, Selivanov vows that he committed to a better two-way game.
"The last three years, everybody said, 'He's not good defensively,' " Selivanov said. "But [in Germany], I played defensively and played the penalty-kill, and it helped me."
If that turns out to be true, defense could be the dimension that gets him back into the NHL.
"He's played in this league, he's been a star in the league," said Mark Kelley, the Penguins' European scout. "After spending a year in Europe, I think he's hungry, and if he picks up his defensive game, we know he can put up numbers."
Selivanov, who lives in Tampa, Fla., could have lined up work in Germany again this season, but the birth of his third child persuaded him to stay on this side of the Atlantic.
"I have three kids now, and it's tough to go somewhere across the ocean with three kids, especially a baby who was just born," he said. "I'm a family man. I like to settle with my family."
In his most recent NHL stint, Selivanov had just eight goals and 11 assists in 59 games with Columbus two seasons ago.
"Columbus was an expansion team, and the first year is always tough," he said. "I missed two months of the season, and it was tough to get into."
Selivanov said he believes Blue Jackets General Manager Doug MacLean would have given him another contract if Coach Dave King hadn't lobbied to go with a younger lineup.
There wasn't exactly a bidding war for Selivanov when he went on the open market, and rather than stare at his telephone while waiting for an NHL team to call, he decided to take the job in Germany.
"I took off to just play hockey again," he said. "I didn't want to sit and wait [for work in the NHL]. It was good for me."
So, he figures, is being in the Penguins' camp. When he discovered they were willing to give him a tryout, he didn't bother shopping around for a better offer.
"When I came back [from Germany], we talked to Pittsburgh right away," he said. "The first day I came back home, I just said, 'I'm going to Pittsburgh.' My agent [asked] if I wanted to talk to other teams, and I said, 'No, I just want to sign with Pittsburgh.' "
Last night, Selivanov showed the Penguins why he might persuade them to sign him to something a bit more permanent.
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ÖsiGiant#7
Bulldozer
Bernie wird´s schon richten!!
Zumindest für mich.
"Die ganze Abwehr hat gegrunzt..." 
