KHL President Alexei Morozov has commented on the 2026 Gagarin Cup Final between Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Ak Bars Kazan, highlighting the strength of both teams and the key factors that could decide the series.
On Lokomotiv’s comeback against Avangard:
“That series will be remembered for a long time. Seven games, only the eighth time in KHL history a team has come back from 1-3 to advance. What Lokomotiv showed — and Radulov in particular — taking charge, leading the team, energizing his teammates… This team has huge experience, it’s their third straight final — they’ve lost one and won one. The players are growing and developing; for them, it’s all experience. In the previous series, they demonstrated exactly what we love about hockey — not just systems, but fighting until the very end: the game goes all 60 minutes until the final siren.”
On Ak Bars’ transformation in the playoffs:
“The team gained momentum as the playoffs progressed. We remember their slow start in the regular season, when there were talks about changing the coaching staff. Credit to the club’s management — they gave the coach a chance to work and turn things around, they believed in him. And now we see the team improving with each round. In the series against Traktor, they won three games in overtime, which is a psychological boost for the group. Plus, we shouldn’t forget that Anwar Gatiyatulin is supported by Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, who knows everything about hockey.”
On whether Lokomotiv’s championship and finals experience gives them an edge:
“There is a certain advantage — these guys are experienced, they’ve been through finals, both winning and losing. They know how to get out of tough situations. The main thing is that they recover after a difficult semifinal series that ended in overtime of Game 7. In the Gagarin Cup Final, psychology and experience will play a major role.”
On what kind of final the league and he as president would like to see:
“This is a final of the strongest — two teams have proven that they are currently the best in the league, and they come out to fight for the Gagarin Cup. Good luck to everyone, and may the fans enjoy a beautiful, fair game,” Morozov said during the pregame studio of the Match! TV channel.
