Former KHL general manager Leonid Vaysfeld has shared his thoughts on Bob Hartley’s tenure with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
When asked whether he sees any fundamental changes in the team’s style under the Canadian coach, Vaysfeld responded, “I don’t see any major changes. But I have a counter-question: why should Hartley have to change anything? As they say, better is the enemy of good. Lokomotiv is a championship-caliber team—what more could you ask for? If Bob had taken over a team in last place, then yes, a rebuild would be necessary. But why would a champion need that?”
Pressed on whether simply preserving what’s already there is an art in itself, Vaysfeld replied, “Of course. Preserve and build on it.” He emphasized that maintaining a winning system while adding subtle improvements takes real skill.
The remarks come amid ongoing debate about Hartley’s role in a team that was already successful under previous coach Igor Nikitin. Vaysfeld’s perspective highlights the challenge of stepping into a top-tier squad without disrupting its core strengths.
