WC: 2015 — Team Russia

[seeep]

So Malkin's confidence is down after 0 points in playoffs, what better way to revive him than to play him with a bottom 6 grinder and perennial NT failure Mozyakin?

Znarok messed up big time if this is true.

With Datsyuk out as well, Znarok has just about killed all the potential and excitement this lineup had, with this kind of move.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=193&year0=2013&status=stats
it's problems of Islanders if they don't know how to use Kulemin

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

How many points has Tarasenko scored?

 

[Atas2000]

So Malkin's confidence is down after 0 points in playoffs, what better way to revive him than to play him with a bottom 6 grinder and perennial NT failure Mozyakin?

Znarok messed up big time if this is true.

With Datsyuk out as well, Znarok has just about killed all the potential and excitement this lineup had, with this kind of move.

LOL! You obviously have no idea about the Kulyomin - Malkin - Mozyakin line. Also to call Kulyomin a "bottom 6 grinder"

I've basically lost a lot of the interest for the tournament because of all players I wanted to see 3 guys there: Radulov, Datsyuk and Zaripov.

But you, sir, have little knowledge or understanding about wht the Malkin line is about, why the 3 are put together and this definitely not a bad move by Znarok.

Just because you wanted Malkin to play with Tarasenko and Znarok goes with old KHL bonds instead is not reason enough to rant like that against Znarok.

 

[Atas2000]

How many points has Tarasenko scored?

He's good, but not good enough to score without playing a game. He just arrived and will play his first game tomorrow against Slovenia and Kopitar.

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

He's good, but not good enough to score without playing a game. He just arrived and will play his first game tomorrow against Slovenia and Kopitar.

LOL..ok!

 

[Atas2000]

What about other lines? Tarasenko with Kovy?

You see how fast it goes. Damn it! Still pissed. Of all players Dats and Zaripov!

Right now it is very well possible for Znarok to go back to KHL lines. So Kovalchuk - Tikhonov - Tarasenko looks probable when Tikhonov returns.

 

[RedLeaf099*]

Can someone who follows the KHL, tell me why Mozyakin never makes the Olympic team.
The guy is consistently at the top of the point charts in Russia.

 

[RobertR]

Can someone who follows the KHL, tell me why Mozyakin never makes the Olympic team.
The guy is consistently at the top of the point charts in Russia.

Hard to say about Vancouver.

But after Sochi`s failure, coach Bilyaletdinov was asked why didn't he picked Mozyakin.

He said "He would not make it to the net at that level". Literally his quote.

 

[IceHockey19]

Zaripov and Tikhonov's injures is a frustration.
After just ONE game!
Last year we lost 3-4 players like Loktionov, Orlov. Ovechkin was injured too. Whats wrong with Znaroks's teams?

 

[XokkeyGuy]

Zaripov and Tikhonov's injures is a frustration.
After just ONE game!
Last year we lost 3-4 players like Loktionov, Orlov. Ovechkin was injured too. Whats wrong with Znaroks's teams?

Is tikhonov out now too or just temporary?

 

[Wings4Life]

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=193&year0=2013&status=stats
it's problems of Islanders if they don't know how to use Kulemin

Nice 35 game sample size, from the KHL no less. Check out Kulemin's entire NHL career:

503GP 99G 127A 226Pts -1

36 points per 82 games average. That's the definition of a third line grinder. And only 1G 2A in 14 career playoff games, all during his prime years. Kulyomin turns 29 in a few weeks, he is not some prospect with hidden potential. He is a bottom 6 grinder.

LOL! You obviously have no idea about the Kulyomin - Malkin - Mozyakin line. Also to call Kulyomin a "bottom 6 grinder"

I've basically lost a lot of the interest for the tournament because of all players I wanted to see 3 guys there: Radulov, Datsyuk and Zaripov.

But you, sir, have little knowledge or understanding about wht the Malkin line is about, why the 3 are put together and this definitely not a bad move by Znarok.

Just because you wanted Malkin to play with Tarasenko and Znarok goes with old KHL bonds instead is not reason enough to rant like that against Znarok.

Obviously, I know they had success in the KHL as a unit. That was when Mozyakin was still at his peak, though he was past 30 already. And I stated Kulemin CAN be a beneficial component on a line with Malkin, in this very thread.

But that requires him to play the Chris Kunitz role from Geno's MVP line in 2012: win puck battles, get Malkin the puck, crash the net, occasionally use his underrated shot. But that means the other winger needs to be an elite player that can snipe (ala James Neal). A 34 year old Mozyakin is not that player, not at the NT level. So that negates the entire point of putting Kulyomin with Malkin, since the other winger is not an elite player at this level/stage of his career. That line may light up Slovenia tonight (my guess is no), but they won't get it done when it matters.

Result: Malkin plays with 2 anchors who will hold him back against elite defences such as Canada and Sweden.

 

[Atas2000]

Can someone who follows the KHL, tell me why Mozyakin never makes the Olympic team.
The guy is consistently at the top of the point charts in Russia.

1.He has a history of failing with the NT(so it's not like he never was invited).

2.There always was legitimate concern about his ability to play some physical game(and I highly doubt he would have been of use in Vencouver)

3.What people tend to forget, wingers is the position Russia is overblessed with. No matter how you slice it there is always a tough choice to make.

4.Zaripov is the better player of the two. And he never whines about anything and always comes tio the NT when called upon.

 

[Atas2000]

Is tikhonov out now too or just temporary?

He's good to go already, but no offence to Tikhonov, if only Zaripov would switch places with him.

 

[Atas2000]

Result: Malkin plays with 2 anchors who will hold him back against elite defences such as Canada and Sweden.

You mean like in the 2012 WC? Okay

 

[Wings4Life]

You mean like in the 2012 WC? Okay

What do Popov and Perezhogin have to do with this discussion?

Popov actually illustrates my point perfectly: good with Malkin in 2012 WC against weak opposition (they played Slovakia for gold ), complete failure in Olympic games 2 years later with Malkin (against Norway and Finland, neither team a true powerhouse).

I would liken Popov's 2012-2014 situation to the one Mozyakin is currently in.

 

[Wings4Life]

As predicted, Malkin's line does not click at all.

 

[Kshahdoo]

As predicted, Malkin's line does not click at all.

Well, Malkin wasn't at his best as well. I think they will be OK. But I don't like Shirokov with Tarasenko and Tikhonov at all. It should be Kovy with them, the old SKA line. Shirokov - Anisimov - Plotnikov should be the 4th line.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Russia: 2 games, minus 2 players. Nice statistics.

 

[Caser]

Well, Malkin wasn't at his best as well. I think they will be OK. But I don't like Shirokov with Tarasenko and Tikhonov at all. It should be Kovy with them, the old SKA line. Shirokov - Anisimov - Plotnikov should be the 4th line.

I'd prefer Tikhonov and Plotnikov connection (like last year) + Kovy on the first line.

P.S. Biryukov might be out for tournament with broken jaw

 

[Atas2000]

I think it's time to make the final roster calls. With Biryukov out we need a D-man. The Caps can make it. No use waiting till the end of the 2nd round in the NHL.

 

[Atas2000]

As predicted, Malkin's line does not click at all.

A fine prediction for 1 game

 

[Caser]

I think it's time to make the final roster calls. With Biryukov out we need a D-man. The Caps can make it. No use waiting till the end of the 2nd round in the NHL.

Iirc, two roster spots are left: spend one roster spot on D and another keep in reserve for Ovechkin. I know that it probably won't happen, but if Grand Rapids are out of Calder cup tonight, I'd like to see Marchenko called to NT.

 

[jimstark]

What about Nikita Zadorov from Buffalo ? Was hoping to see him here
I want the Young guys..the future to play


Regarding Zaripov and that he is out of the tournament..how big loss is that? He is 34 and dont get me wrong i have loved to have him on the NT but sooner or later another younger guy need to take over.
Dont know if that guy is Shirokov but from what i understood Znarok is a fan of him.

Malkin and Tarasenkov gonne be great just wait a few games.
Have to say i want to see more from Plotnikov wou i tought have been great earlier with the NT

I think Russia will have one spot open for Ovi but i am not sure that the Caps will loose this time aganist the Rangers.
If Tampa is getting kicked out i would be very glad if they got Kucherov

Sad that either Pavel or Radulov is here and also that Nichuskin is not playing but the team is what it is and last year we one without both Radulov and Koyy so Russia is strong

We gonne win the gold

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

Don't you agree we'll never see a Russian team again with the chemistry the Red Army team had? They lived and trained together 11 months out of the year! It was all chronicled in the that cool Red Army documentary that came out in theaters earlier this year.

 

[Fantomas]

Don't you agree we'll never see a Russian team again with the chemistry the Red Army team had? They lived and trained together 11 months out of the year! It was all chronicled in the that cool Red Army documentary that came out in theaters earlier this year.

If they keep the home grown talent at home it might happen.