Kovalev blames media for controversy

[Habsfan84]

Montreal Canadiens winger Alex Kovalev is ready to put his most recent controversy behind him, blaming the media for blowing up a non-issue.
Following Tuesday's loss to the Panthers, the Canadiens associate captain voiced his frustration with the tactics that were used in the dying moments that allowed Florida to tie the game.
"In the last two minutes, we knew they were going to put a lot of pressure on us," Kovalev told the TEAM 990 in Montreal. "It was just my idea that we could have taken a timeout, get organized and get the right people on the ice. Maybe it could have been better. That's what I saw from the bench."
The story made headlines both in Montreal and nationally as it appeared that the Russian winger was being critical of the tactics of his coach Guy Carbonneau. Carbonneau responded on Wednesday, stating that he: "…wished the comments would stay in the room and if (Kovalev) had something that he thought about, he should have come to me."

On Thursday, Kovalev was critical of the media for creating a story where there was none.

"Everybody knows nothing is going on and everything is good between me and Carbo," Kovalev told reporters. "It's just you guys try to have a competition between each other and try to twist words, who twisted words better."
Kovalev continued saying that he will be much more careful in the future dealing with the media.
"From now on I'm just going to say no, yes, of course, whatever and see if you guys can twist these words and I have nothing more to say about it anymore."
Kovalev also stated that his relationship with Carbonneau was fine despite several high profile run-ins last season; however he would not discuss if he spoke to the coach about his statement Tuesday.
"I don't even want to talk about it because it's just so stupid," Kovalev said. "What happened between me and him stays between me and him. Certain things what we talk about between players and coach stays in the locker room."
Carbonneau also believes that the issue has been made into something bigger than it actually is.
"I have talked to him.You guys are way more problems with me and Kovy than we do with me and him," Carbonneau told reporters Thursday. "Good players always like to speak their minds and have their own opinions and it's going to happen sometimes that something is going to come out but I have no problems with him. I feel secure in my job and I sleep really well at night and I wake up well rested."
Both sides also dismissed trade rumours that had been making the rounds. One rumour included Kovalev demanding a trade to Calgary to be reunited with Mike Keenan, the coach with whom Kovalev captured a Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.
"I don't know why you'd even ask that because that's one of the reasons I'm back to Montreal because I like the challenge," Kovalev said. "I want to show that this team is competitive and can still be in the playoffs and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup."
The Canadiens face the Northeast-leading Senators Thursday night in Ottawa.