Caser
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I think it is because of the changing standards: what was 'passable' now is 'bad' and what was 'fine' is now 'mediocre.'
2018 NHL Draft: Russian Prospects
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I think it is because of the changing standards: what was 'passable' now is 'bad' and what was 'fine' is now 'mediocre.'
There weren't so many Russian prospects under scrutiny. During Soviet period only best of the best young players were known, and they mostly were great skaters, because if you weren't a great skater, you couln't make any Soviet national team.
Nowadays it's different. Some of the so called top Russian prospects consider top prospects, because they have big frame or good shot. It works on MHL/CHL level, so they get into the top prospects lists, but whether they actually become top players, it's still a question.
Caser
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Last year Yzerman was drafting guys who were ready to cross the pond immediately, so maybe we should be looking at the guys, who didn't extend their contract yet and I think from my list Polodyan and Syomin are without a contract. Yugra guys are all signed, from Lada there is Lyakhov, but he is a total wildcard on my list. Speaking about Lada players, strange that noone noticed the absence of Kizimov on my list yet.
Caser
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Got inspired by the Caps win in the Stanley Cup and finally added eliteprospects links to every player's name, so it would be more comfortable to look them up, especially if you see some new name.
Also about the inspiration, in order to get rid of that strange '44' number, I have decided to write a small update with notable omissions, which should turn it into a Top50. Probably will do it by the weekend.
Btw, also wanted to use this post to thank everyone for all the kind words and feedback. After the migration I usually use 'like' button for that, but a good ol' classic 'Thank You' is never a bad thing.
Also about the inspiration, in order to get rid of that strange '44' number, I have decided to write a small update with notable omissions, which should turn it into a Top50. Probably will do it by the weekend.
Btw, also wanted to use this post to thank everyone for all the kind words and feedback. After the migration I usually use 'like' button for that, but a good ol' classic 'Thank You' is never a bad thing.
Caser
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Expanding it to the Top50 with a small 'Notable omissions' part (also added it ot the OP):
I think finally that's all from me, waiting for the BobMckenzie's rankings now, those should be live on Sunday, iirc.
Btw, does anyone know why in most of the rankings Marchenko is being ranked ahead of Morozov? I had Morozov clearly ahead, that's why I'm wondering.
I think finally that's all from me, waiting for the BobMckenzie's rankings now, those should be live on Sunday, iirc.
Btw, does anyone know why in most of the rankings Marchenko is being ranked ahead of Morozov? I had Morozov clearly ahead, that's why I'm wondering.
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Caser
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Yes, 1997 born players from Europe are still draft eligible this year. But if speaking about Polunin, I really doubt that matters - he had an awful season.
Absolute stellar job Caser.
Your hockey knowledge, observations and passion are second to none.
Thanks a lot.
Your hockey knowledge, observations and passion are second to none.
Thanks a lot.
Caser
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Was listening to ESPN's 31 thoughts podcast (Marek, Friedman and Cosentino) and heard there an intersting thing that for something like 4-7 teams the Russian factor is still a real thing and one of those teams just don't want to deal with Russians like at all.
Among other interesting news is that the only teams that didn't interview Denisenko were Sabres and Stars and I'm pretty surprised by the latter, as I thought Stars' scouts/management usually value some speed.
On Kravtsov, 25 teams interviewed him and apparently someone has him even in their Top5.
Among other interesting news is that the only teams that didn't interview Denisenko were Sabres and Stars and I'm pretty surprised by the latter, as I thought Stars' scouts/management usually value some speed.
On Kravtsov, 25 teams interviewed him and apparently someone has him even in their Top5.
Russian factor absolutely still exists. Ottawa and Anaheim always avoid them. A lot of others are only willing to take late round fliers.
ozo
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It is mildly surprising in my eyes. Teams should already see the pattern that only rare picks are hesitant to cross the pond altogether and should just be careful with kids in KHL powerhouse organizations.
Id like to take a minute to add my thanks and appreciation for the time and effort you have put into this cesar. This is the thread i look forward to the most each year. Love the depth you go into with this.
Caser
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And actually it is a disputable question about the powerhouses: for example with SKA team's recent policy to sign some rather mediocre players to long-term deals I can think of younger players running away from there pretty fast and even in the context of this year's draft we can see that Syomin and Polodyan didn't extend their deals at least yet.
Caser
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Since we started to talk about Russian factors, I decided to summarize current general managers' record since 2010, so we could get a better picture:
Note 1: 0 Russians selected by Lamoriello in NJD in 5 drafts; 5 Russians (3 out of Russia) selected in TML in 3 drafts.
Note 2: 3 players out of Russia selected by McPhee in 4 drafts in WSH.
[TBODY]
[/TBODY]
Note 1: 0 Russians selected by Lamoriello in NJD in 5 drafts; 5 Russians (3 out of Russia) selected in TML in 3 drafts.
Note 2: 3 players out of Russia selected by McPhee in 4 drafts in WSH.
| Team | GM | drafts in charge since 2010 | Russian players drafted | drafted from Russian leagues |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Don Waddell | - | - | - |
| Minnesota Wild | Paul Fenton | - | - | - |
| New York Islanders | Lou Lamoriello (see note 1 above) | - | - | - |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Kyle Dubas | - | - | - |
| Anaheim Ducks | Bob Murray | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona Coyotes | John Chayka | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Boston Bruins | Don Sweeney | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Jason Botterill | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Calgary Flames | Brad Treliving | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Stan Bowman | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Joe Sakic | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Jarmo Kekalainen | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Dallas Stars | Jim Nill | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Detroit Red Wings | Ken Holland | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Peter Chiarelli | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Florida Panthers | Dale Tallon | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Rob Blake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Montreal Canadiens | Marc Bergevin | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Nashville Predators | David Poile | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| New Jersey Devils | Ray Shero | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| New York Rangers | Jeff Gorton | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Ottawa Senators | Pierre Dorion | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Ron Hextall | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Jim Rutherford | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| San Jose Sharks | Doug Wilson | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| St. Louis Blues | Doug Armstrong | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Steve Yzerman | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Vancouver Canucks | Jim Benning | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | George McPhee (see note 2 above) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Capitals | Brian MacLellan | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Winnipeg Jets | Kevin Cheveldayoff | 7 | 2 | 2 |
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Macman
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Caser
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Actually Hextall's recent record (6 in 4 drafts) also looks very impressive to me.
Talking about other recent records: Shero has drafted two Russian players in each of last two drafts and Poile drafts one Russian player four years in a row now.
Yes, the math definitely indicates Hextall takes the most on a per year basis.
Yzerman has obviously been at the helm twice as long, so we'll have to see if Hextall keeps it up.
Yzerman has obviously been at the helm twice as long, so we'll have to see if Hextall keeps it up.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Caser
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Some time ago this kind of question could trigger quite a holywar, but now I think Kravtsov's ceiling is higher and there is some gap. Again, purely in terms of the ceiling.
Probably I should elaborate a bit: I think that despite being a half-year older, Kravtsov has actually more space under the ceiling to fill out comparing to Denisenko. Denisenko already posesses the raw tools and even some decent muscles and we just hope that all that will be polished, put in a toolbox and, if everything is going smoothly, would result in a 60+ point Top6 LW, who would just exhaust the opposing D guys with his energy and explosiveness even if he is not picking up those points. With Kravtsov it is a bit different: it's pretty hard to evaluate the ceiling as there are things that can be added that could and should notably amplify his game: for example, both lower and upper body strength is just not there at the moment and it is not that hard to add it when you're 6'3" (takes time and some work, of course). Adding some more intensity and maturity is harder, but again, it is about toolboxes, almost everyone has to get through that. So yeah, in the end I don't think it is too optimistic to consider his ceiling at around 70+ points and the "too optimistic" mode can get the evaluation even higher.
Caser
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Officially Gorton has been NYR GM since July, 2015, which would mean that so far he was in charge of 2016 and 2017 drafts and NYR didn't pick any Russians there. Obviously there is no reason to talk about the 'Russian factor" in this case, as there are enough Russians in the NYR system and organization.
