Joakim Lindstrom: "Vyacheslav Voynov will make us stronger"

- What kind of coach is Sergei Zubov?

- He is very positive! He really wants to win, just as he did when he was a player. He clearly explains everything to the players, and knows what to do in different situations. I like his system, and the guys are slowly getting used to it.

- SKA have improved on the powerplay recently. Is this down to the coach too?

- He has added a lot of new things to our game, not only our powerplay. We are playing better and better, and I think that this part of the season will be a lot better for SKA.

- Eleven players left for the Euro Hockey Tour during this KHL break.

- Each club gives its best players to national teams. Everyone is in the same boat. I think that we are 100% ready for the next stage of the championship, and I think that our match with Dynamo proved this.

- You have been playing with young Alexander Barabanov in one line for a long time. What do you think about him?

- He's a great hockey player, and tries hard at training. Along with Jarno Koskiranta, we have our own chemistry.

- Nevertheless, you played with Ilya Kovalchuk beforehand. Does the change of line mates affect you in any way?

- We also have a great mutual understanding. He's one of the best players in the league! He's an unbelievable forward. I and Jarno Koskiranta have played well in any line.

- Is Vyacheslav Voynov in shape?

- He looks excellent on the ice. The main thing is that Vyacheslav has a lot of motivation. I saw how he played for the Los Angeles Kings, and he is a great player who can dish out unbelievable passes. He will make us stronger.

- You seem very happy.

- Thanks to the new coach, everyone is feeling positive.

- Why weren't you called up to the Karjala Cup for Sweden?

- They probably chose to try out other players. I didn't mind having a rest either, as I could be with the team and train with the team.

- Maybe this tournament wasn't as important for Sweden?

- I don't think so. Everyone who was called up fought hard, and all tournaments are important.

- In the upcoming World Championship, Sweden will play in Moscow and not in Saint Petersburg. Does that fact hold any meaning for you?

- No, it doesn't matter. I really want to play for Sweden at this tournament, especially as it is taking place in Russia. It will be really special for me, and I want to play at my third World Championship.

- A long time ago, you played with Viktor Tikhonov with the Phoenix Coyotes. What impressions did he leave you with?

- We spent a whole year together. He is a great forward and wonderful person. He is a very skillful player, and I'm not surprised that he played so well for SKA. I hope that he will play well for Chicago.

- You also played with Vladimir Tarasenko in the St Louis Blues.

- Yes, we played a couple of games together in the first line. I enjoyed playing with him, and he is a phenomenal player! I know why he scores so many with that team, he has a great shot.

- Have you played with any other Russian players in the NHL?

- I was in one team with Semyon Varlamov too. All Russian players in the NHL are talented, friendly and nice guys.

- Are your family in Saint Petersburg too?

- Yes, they came here in the summer. We have a flat, our two children have gone to nursery and they have even made friends. They speak both in Russian and in English.

- They already understand Russian?

- They only know a few words like 'thank you' and 'goodbye'. They will be speaking like Russians themselves soon though.

- Do your children go to the same nursery as Ilya Kovalchuk's and Hulk's?

- No, their children are older than ours.

- Are you yourself planning to learn Russian?

- I try to remember words. I can't speak myself yet, but I do understand what people say. When the coach speaks during briefings, I also understand everything.

- Can you say anything that is more difficult than 'thank you'?

- The last phrase that I have remembered is 'what time is it'.

- Who helps you with translating inside the team?

- A lot of guys speak English very well. Alexei Ponikarovsky. Ilya Kovalchuk and Ilya Ezhov...I communicate well with 90% of the team.

- Have you seen any of Saint Petersburg's sites?

- About a month ago we went on a boat around the river, it was an unforgettable experience. We went under a lot of bridges, and saw some historic places. I went to the Hermitage a few years ago, and now I walk along Nevsky Prospect. Saint Petersburg is wonderful.

- During the summer, you played tennis on Palace Square. What impressions were you left with?

- It was an event organised in honour of a tennis tournament, a lot of people came. I played together with Alexei Ponikarovsky, and against us stars such as Anastasia Myskina competed. It was great, I enjoyed it.