Tampa's Mikhail Sergachev says recent comments about the Leafs were taken way out of context
It was recently reported that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev ripped on the Toronto Maple Leafs in an offseason interview he had with Sport24 back home. Some of his comments made it sound like he was licking his wounds after their first round defeat in the playoffs.
Sergachev: "I don't want to put any pluses on Toronto now, they didn't deserve them."
Reporter: "Why don't you want to put Toronto pluses?"
Sergachev: "Well, why? I don't think they deserve much."
Reporter: "For the first time in 19 years, the first round was passed!"
Sergachev: "Well done here, they went through the first round, but did not go further. So I don't see any reason to rejoice here."
The Bolts defender has been taking some heat for the comments he made, but today, Sergachev took to Instagram to clarify his comments and the interview as a whole:
Lol, if you don't speak Russian don't use google translate as you first option and then spread misinformation! I never said it like that! [They asked] 'Toronto played very physical which got couple of your defenseman hurt, is this true?' And I said 'no it just happens sometimes people get hurt by accident, and I don't want to give them credit.'
Rep: "Why not give them credit?"
Me: "Why? I don't think they deserved them"
Rep: "For the first time in 19 years passed first round"
Me: "Here true, good on them! But didn't go thru second round, I don't see a reason to celebrate"
Check your sources or find someone who speak the language, don't be a clown
Based on the rough translation, it seemed like Sergachev was still salty about the loss to the Leafs and didn't care about their first series win in 19 years, citing it wasn't a big deal since they lost the following round.
However his clarification still doesn't fully add up because the reporter questions him about the physicality of the series and how the Leafs wore them down through injury. Sergachev didn't want to give the Leafs the credit for that.
Seems like his original comments were reverberated through his clarification but that's just how the cookie crumbles with bitter rivals who are set to face off in playoff matchups for years to come.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
AOUT 3 | 143 ANSWERS Tampa's Mikhail Sergachev says recent comments about the Leafs were taken way out of context Do you think Sergachev is being honest about his harsh words for the Leafs being taken out of context during translation? |
Yes, translations can be rough | 45 | 31.5 % |
No, he knew what he said | 98 | 68.5 % |
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