WJC: 2015 — Russia Roster Talk

[wings5]

It's sad ppl assume because they don't know the players they aren't worthy contenders. Russia is easily a gold medal contender with Sweden and USA, they also have solid goaltending something Canada might be lacking.

 

[Atas2000]

scherbak's been touted heavely over there, and here we are. and zykov last year, showed exactly nothing in ufa

Scherbak was only hyped by MTL fans and press. The thing about Scherbak, too many were talking about his media skills. The few voices about his actual game weren't that exuberant.

 

[Atas2000]

To be favorite. How many first round picks do they have? top 10s? Now check the teams that are the real favorites. Not saying they won't win, just that there is no way they have the talent of the top teams

LMAO... again. I'm sure you think Pavel Datsyuk is no top-talent.

Let me tell you one thing. Every time I've seen McDavid play he hasn't impressed me at all. Maybe that will change at this WJC, but maybe not. Top picks are no guarantee for anything.

 

[wings5]

LMAO... again. I'm sure you think Pavel Datsyuk is no top-talent.

Let me tell you one thing. Every time I've seen McDavid play he hasn't impressed me at all. Maybe that will change at this WJC, but maybe not. Top picks are no guarantee for anything.

The only time he didn't impress me was the last WJC but he was 16 and had a ton of pressure on a team of 19 year olds. He should be better equipped to handle it now, I hate overhyping too regardless of player Nationality but he is the real deal, at least a Tavares, level prospect.

 

[Zine]

This year's Russian squad is much more talented than last year, and Russia won bronze last year.

 

[GTA]

LMAO... again. I'm sure you think Pavel Datsyuk is no top-talent.

Let me tell you one thing. Every time I've seen McDavid play he hasn't impressed me at all. Maybe that will change at this WJC, but maybe not. Top picks are no guarantee for anything.

Listing an outlier? Not a great way to prove a point. Do you not think given how close to draft years all of these guys are, draft position is a good gauge of overall team talent...at least for the top guys? No top 3s, top 5s...not even top 10s. Elite talent they don't have.

 

[Mayo8898]

Chances Goldobin makes the team?

 

[czechcanadian]

Listing an outlier? Not a great way to prove a point. Do you not think given how close to draft years all of these guys are, draft position is a good gauge of overall team talent...at least for the top guys? No top 3s, top 5s...not even top 10s. Elite talent they don't have.

I disagree with that. Draft position doesn't mean everything. Players don't just get drafted cause of skill. Size and potential are other big factors.

Example, Sergei Tolchinksy, undrafted. Size being the reason but he is most definitely an elite level talent. If you have seen him play then you would agree.
Scherbak, Goldobin, and Barbashev are also elite players in my mind. Don't forget about Buchnevich.

 

[Zine]

Listing an outlier? Not a great way to prove a point. Do you not think given how close to draft years all of these guys are, draft position is a good gauge of overall team talent...at least for the top guys? No top 3s, top 5s...not even top 10s. Elite talent they don't have.

Yes and no.

For Russians, the key to being drafted is exposure as well as talent. Why do you think so many younger players leave for the CHL? That's right!..because, for numerous reasons, the NHL does not scout Russia heavily. I mean do honestly believe players like Scherbak or Goldobin would be 1st rounders if still playing for Kapitan and Vityaz?


However, I agree, relative to other recent Russian teams, this one lacks elite level talent. However, I really really like this year's depth.

Russia's chances at gold are as good as anybody's.

 

[ozo]

This just in - draft position doesn't matter! Everybody gets a fair chance to make it in the NHL. Europeans should stop risking their careers to "improve their draft stock".

 

[199991]

do Kamenev will be on a top offensive line a the WJC ... and has he the offensive skills to dominate the tournament?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Everyone will be ****** themselves with excitement about Buchnevich by the time this tournament is done.

I was ******** myself about Buchnevich after last year's WJC, and the year before after the U18... Amazing player, just absurd that he fell to the 3rd round even with the transfer risk. More talent in his left toe than half the guys drafted before him. If there's even a chance he comes over, then you have to take him early.

If we're going by talent, then Goldobin has to be on the team. Hope national politics doesn't keep him off the team. Wonderful gamebreaking talent.

Also, you can never count Russia out of a short tournament and anyone who does so is a moron plain and simple.

 

[AFTeRMaTH*]

Can anyone project the lines with dmen and goalies as well?

 

[Statsy]

To be favorite. How many first round picks do they have? top 10s? Now check the teams that are the real favorites. Not saying they won't win, just that there is no way they have the talent of the top teams

Though it's debatable how much talent there is on this Russian team at the moment (The loss of Zadorov will definitely hurt), it's pretty ridiculous to look at the NHL draft results when we all know the KHL factor is what keeps the Russian kids from getting drafted as high as they should be.

 

[Atas2000]

Listing an outlier? Not a great way to prove a point.

Where is your guarantee those top prospects on team Canada or USA are no outliers of the different kind?

Do you not think given how close to draft years all of these guys are, draft position is a good gauge of overall team talent...at least for the top guys?

No, especially looking at how they draft Russians. They literally have no idea.

And then there is that: There were 17 undrafted players on all 3 CHL squads at the SSS, most of them at the QMJHL squad. There was a total of 6! drafted players on the russian squad(one of them being Scherbak who couldn't make the WJC squad).

Russia won the series. There is your draft positions.

No top 3s, top 5s...not even top 10s. Elite talent they don't have.

Tarasenko is no top 10 pick. So what? A lot of NHL teams are screwing themselves because they don't draft Russians. Their loss is the other's gain.

 

[Atas2000]

Can anyone project the lines with dmen and goalies as well?

The best time to predict would be at least after the first exhibition game. I mean there are 37 guys at camp now for a reason, not counting the CHL players. Moreover Zykov and Tkachev were injured. It will be Bragin's decicision if they are in game shape.

 

[Atas2000]

do Kamenev will be on a top offensive line a the WJC ... and has he the offensive skills to dominate the tournament?

There will be no clear top line. Kamenev might center Buchnevich, but it's a stretch. It's tough to predict how he will translate his game to the junior level. He plays in the KHL with an okay production for a 18y.o. Malkin and Ovechkin had similar numbers in the RSL at the same age, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. The KHL experience makes the teenagers' game more mature in the own end from what I saw.

 

[Atas2000]

Chances Goldobin makes the team?

Seems to be a lock.

 

[Rob]

This year's Russian squad is much more talented than last year, and Russia won bronze last year.

I was writing in another thread about how the Hockey News magazine predicted Russia to finish out of the medals but didn't really explain why.

I know next to nothing about the Russian roster but I see no reason why they should be underestimated. Unless their goaltending sucks.

 

[Zine]

As of now, I'd expect a Buchnevich-Barbashev combo, as well as a Sharov-Mamin combo.

Who knows, maybe:

Buchnevich - Barbashev - Goldobin
Tolchinsky - Kamenev - Golyshev
????? - Sharov - Mamin
????? - ?????? - ??????

Leschenko is likely a lock somewhere on the lower lines imo.
Saying that, Tolchinsky-Okulov looked really good together at SSS.

 

[Dynamo81]

To be favorite. How many first round picks do they have? top 10s?

As many as they had in 2011 where they won the final against Canada

In 2012 where they beat Canada in the Semi Final they only had 2 players drafted in the first round for the 2010 and 2011 NHL draft (At #26 & #30).

I wouldn't use draft as a measuring stick. It will be a difficult tournament to win though.

 

[Fantomas]

Mike Harrington @BNHarrington 5m
Zadorov tells me there's still no talks with GMTM about World Juniors. W/injuries here, he doesn't want to leave. (1/2)

Mike Harrington @BNHarrington 3m
Zadorov: "I love my country and the chance to play for them. But this is the best league in the world. Why send me somewhere?" #Sabres

Mike Harrington @BNHarrington 1m
More Zadorov: "It's better for me to play in the big time and to help my team win every game." #Sabres

I don't like him anymore.

EDIT: Safe to say that after tonight Zadorov is staying.

 

[Fantomas]

I was writing in another thread about how the Hockey News magazine predicted Russia to finish out of the medals but didn't really explain why.

I know next to nothing about the Russian roster but I see no reason why they should be underestimated. Unless their goaltending sucks.

Their goaltending is excellent. People just don't know much about Russian prospects, as usual.

 

[Fantomas]

Tarasenko is no top 10 pick. So what? A lot of NHL teams are screwing themselves because they don't draft Russians. Their loss is the other's gain.

Agreed. Russians don't get drafted high for obvious reasons. Judging Russian prospects based on their draft position is just silly.

Furthermore, the best WJC team is not necessarily the team with the most top-10 picks. It is more likely the team with most rounded seniors.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Buchnevich - Barbashev - Goldobin

Holy hell that'd be awesome.