Alex Mogilny's Sabre Days

[bcw]

What are people's memories of Alex Mogilny's career as a Sabre? His #'s were unbelievable (76 goals, 127 points in 1993) and he certainly was exciting to watch but he had his flaws too. Mogilny's fear of flying was a major issue and was it him or Zhitnik who had all of the problems with the Russian mafia---I'm sure there are some good stories out there. Let em fly.

[pigpen65]

was it him or Zhitnik who had all of the problems with the Russian mafia---I'm sure there are some good stories out there. Let em fly.


It was Mogilny. There was a story that he actually had to turn to Lafontaine for some cash to pay some people off. If you remember, there were rumors about Afinogenov's concussion somehow involving the russian mafia as well.

The one interesting Mogilny story i remember ( i don't even remember who told me.) Apparently Al was a heavy smoker. Like two packs a day. The story was he was playing a round at the OP country club and sent his caddy across the street to get him a pack when he ran out.

Well maybe not really interesting, but i always thought it was weird that a top paid althlete could get by smoking two packs a day.

[pigpen65]

...

[anEinherjer]

That was so interesting we got it twice. :D

Mogilny lives on like a dream to me, of a glorious time long, long ago. Jeaneret's CD this Xmas is awesome for reliving some of those moments - yet another hat trick, "vapor trail", "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"... Those were great days to be a Sabres fan. (Not like today's days aren't!)

[foster]

I just remember out in a bar and everytime I looked at the TV Alex had scored another goal. That year was crazy. and fun.

But I wonder if this could be one of the most fun years of all.

[shotgun]

from his first goal as a sabre in his first nhl game nhl first shift first nhl shot to his nhl rec tieing 5 sec goal into the 1st p to his first game vs the sabres were he score on hasek 5 hole alex was a super star and he was won that we should of not of got away . knowing we got peca and mike wilson for him but i would of never traded him ...

[7475]

It always seemed to me in the early days of getting Russian and Czech players back right after the fall of the Iron Curtain that these guys were very much out of their element in terms of culture shock and the NHL... Imagine playing in the Soviet Union or in the Czech Republic under communism then land in the NHL and USA with money...freedom...etc.... Having the language to adjust to...

Pat LaFontaine, if I remember correctly, took Mogilny under his wing when he got here and made him more comfortable. It took him awhile to adjust....but once he did that is when his career really took off..... But remember when the Sabres looked to him to take on a leadership role after Patty went down....he sort of cracked...and he started getting a bad rap with the media and fans........I hink that had a lot to do with the culture and language problems......with that said he does have over 1000 pts.....

I also often wonder if Hasek was Canadian or American if he would be looked at in a different light....let's say like Roy.......

[Ralonzo]

knowing we got peca and mike wilson for him but i would of never traded him ...

Ya, but Mogilny wanted out. Still his trade was the version of the OJ Simpson trade for the Bills; there's a huge legacy on this team courtesy of that 5th round flyer on an iron curtain hotshot:

Alex Mogilny ---> Mike Peca, Mike Wilson, #1 Pick

Mike Peca ---> Tim Connolly, Taylor Pyatt
#1 Pick ---> Jay McKee
Mike Wilson ---> Ryan Miller, Rhett Warrener

Rhett Warrener (+ Steven Reinprecht) ---> Chris Drury

[The REAL Sabres]

Speaking of which, they should be retiring LaFontaine's number on Saturday when Alex is here to share in it...

[Norwoodsrevenge]

The one interesting Mogilny story i remember ( i don't even remember who told me.) Apparently Al was a heavy smoker. Like two packs a day. The story was he was playing a round at the OP country club and sent his caddy across the street to get him a pack when he ran out.

Well maybe not really interesting, but i always thought it was weird that a top paid althlete could get by smoking two packs a day.

Everyone on those Soviet Red Army teams smoked. I guess they had to or they were considered rebels and had their fingers cut off or something.

[Big Cow]

I remember often seeing Mogilny at The Pier the season he broke his leg....

[LALAFONTAINE]

Alexander WAS Great when he was scoring 76, but after that he floated. My reaction to the trade was "Great trade, who did we get?"