Finally, Svetlakov gets drafted. The guy might already be NHL ready as a bottom 6 player and might still have upside for top 6 (although as a Center, it's tougher).
2017 NHL Draft: Russian Prospects
- Thread starter Caser
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Caser
Moderator
You say this every year, when draft again in relation to Russian kids make no sense yet again
No really, I feel that it gets more and more grotesque every year.
I mean, Kara is a good winger, got good physicality, decent skating and a very good shot, but he never was considered a top guy of his age and it's not like he would have a breakout year.
Caser
Moderator
Apparently scouts didn't like Chekhovich's skating... I don't know if it is that bad, although I'm pretty bad at evaluating skating.
tigervixxxen
Optimism=Delusional
Small market in the Q doesn't help either. For that reason I didn't think he'd go earlier than the 6th round. I'm sure skating is a concern but that's true for like 80% of this draft class.
Caser
Moderator
Doesn't Svetlakov have 3 years left on his contract? Why draft him in that case? I thought for sure that Vovchenko would be drafted given his great year in the KHL and the fact that he can come over quite soon.
ozo
Registered User
- Feb 24, 2010
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NHL draft works in mysterious ways.
Caser
Moderator
Maybe to make sure they hold his rights when the KHL contract expires after 3 years and he is, possibly, ready for a new challenge? Or did I misunderstand your question?
Meanwhile German Poddubnyi has been invited to the Predators dev camp.
I don't think you misunderstood my question. I just don't see the point of drafting a 21 year old that you're not going to see until he's 24 when there's at least one player who did very well in the KHL this year and is available more or less immediately. That's at least why I avoided him in my mock draft, opting for Vovchenko instead.
Can guys like Kuzmenko or Vovchenko be drafted next year?
Fantomas
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- Aug 7, 2012
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Svetlakov is an NHL-quality player though. Good at faceoffs, wins puck battles, definite role player potential. Vovchenko isn't.
Vovchenko is a scoring line guy and you'd need many more NHL expansion teams to see someone give him a shot on a scoring line.
Vovchenko is a scoring line guy and you'd need many more NHL expansion teams to see someone give him a shot on a scoring line.
Caser
Moderator
It is not that rare when NHL teams wait for 3 or even more years until the player is ready to come over. Svetlakov is already a NT level player at his 21, hopefully he continues to progress, so if everything will be good, I think he can become a quality NHL 3rd line center and not a lot of those guys from this year's draft will be that good at any age, not only 3 years from now.
Kuzmenko and Vovchenko won't be eligible next year anymore.
Interesting quote from Tampa's Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray.
Worth mentioning that this year Tampa picked only those guys, who were willing to cross the pond immediately.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
That's true. In that respect the pick makes sense.
I'm just mad that Vovchenko went undrafted which negatively affected my mock draft score. Next time I'll just go by your list as BPA when selecting a russian overager, instead of trying to get clever.
I thought as much.
Interesting quote from Tampa's Director of Amateur Scouting Al Murray.
Worth mentioning that this year Tampa picked only those guys, who were willing to cross the pond immediately.
There is a definite market inefficiency with respect to Russians and the NHL.
There are teams that flat out refuse to take Russians, no matter how talented. I can think of Flames, Ducks, Pens and Sens.
Bruins, Kings, Sabres and Canucks (Tryamkin's situation) have recently been burned with Russian prospects, so they might be joining those ranks.
On the other hand, there are teams who used to be on that list but are starting to warm up to the idea of drafting Russians. Teams that I can think of are Wild, Predators, Sharks, Blue Jackets and Devils.
Not sure what the situation with Red Wings all of sudden. They seemed to have cooled down on the idea, despite their VERY positive history with Russians.
Bruins, Kings, Sabres and Canucks (Tryamkin's situation) have recently been burned with Russian prospects, so they might be joining those ranks.
On the other hand, there are teams who used to be on that list but are starting to warm up to the idea of drafting Russians. Teams that I can think of are Wild, Predators, Sharks, Blue Jackets and Devils.
Not sure what the situation with Red Wings all of sudden. They seemed to have cooled down on the idea, despite their VERY positive history with Russians.
Caser
Moderator
I have a strange thought that despite this year's draft being rather weak, scouts were still not willing to risk and went for the raw tools (size/skating), not into those strange 'skill' and 'hockey sense' things.
I actually think that if Kucherov would be a 1999 born and would be breaking records at the U18 this year, I doubt that he would be picked much higher than he has been back in 2011.Sabres management has been changed, so doubt that we can make conclusions about them at this point. Also you're forgetting that some teams will draft Russians only from the CHL/USHL or if they will be willing to come over to NA like immediately.
Caser
Moderator
I meant Edmonton (drafted CHLers) and Tampa (drafted guys that will likely cross the pond immediately).
Castle8130
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- May 9, 2017
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Hawks fan and dont know much about him, but can you tell me more about andrei altybar... i know he has great stats, especially for an 18 year old and has okay size. I have yet to see him play
Caser
Moderator
Castle8130
Registered User
- May 9, 2017
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Oh yeah just saw that. Dissapointed the hawks couldnt get lipanov too. I know he was a big toews fan and all. Altybar looks pretty good from some shifts ive seen him and his +/- is pretty good for the mhl and vhl. Was just wondering on your guys opinion of him a lil more. The vhl is equivalent to the ahl in america and he didnt do too bad on the score sheet.
I'm not sure if you are one who hates making player comparisons because I know some people refuse to do it, but do you know of anybody currently in the league that the two Lightning guys, Volkov and Lipanov, closely resemble?
I saw somebody say Palat for Volkov, but I don't know how reputable the person making the comparison is, and I felt it might have been a lazy comparison just because it was a Lightning draft pick to a current Lightning player, so I figured I'd ask.
I saw somebody say Palat for Volkov, but I don't know how reputable the person making the comparison is, and I felt it might have been a lazy comparison just because it was a Lightning draft pick to a current Lightning player, so I figured I'd ask.
Vagrant
The Czech Condor
Really disappointed nobody took a chance on Danill Vovchenko. Hopefully he continues to develop and then gets to choose his own destination if he decides to come over. I could easily see him breaking out next season.
LetsGOJackets!!
Registered User
Missed the entire season due to a benign growth on his leg? I hear this guy has the skill to be really good. From Sergei's hometown, and his father was Sergei's idol?
