Like it or not, many of them moved to play in NA since then. Now they are being called super weak.
Not following. Rubtsov, Abramov, Sokolov are all on the team, and currently playing their club hockey in the CHL.
Like it or not, many of them moved to play in NA since then. Now they are being called super weak.
Not following. Rubtsov, Abramov, Sokolov are all on the team, and currently playing their club hockey in the CHL.
...and they all look worse than they were a couple of years ago at U18 or U17 level. Add Kostin who is in the AHL. That birth year looked really good and those guys were leading the pack. Now they look like none of them is going to be really special except for Svechnikov maybe who is also already way behind expectations. The CHL isn't doing them any good it seems.Not following. Rubtsov, Abramov, Sokolov are all on the team, and currently playing their club hockey in the CHL.
Went to the game and although I'm happy we won, I'm disappointed with specific players. I was expecting a lot more from Kostin and Svechnikov.. But it was nothing special.
Altybarmakyan impressed me the most with a few nice steals and just overall a solid game. Rubtsov looked decent but not more than that. Of course I don't mean this russian team is super weak in those exact terms, but unlike other years there aren't even any solid KHLers on here.. Nothing like calibre of tarasenko or even korshkov.
There is little creativity too compared to teams of the past.. It's much closer to North American style of hockey not the traditional russian passing game
The biggest disappointment of the tournament so far has been the Maltsev-Altybarmakyan duo. They showed they could create together at the Superseries, so I was expecting a few fireworks. They have not delivered and it doesn't seem they will.
As a result there is no evidence of gamebreaking talent. Abramov is too flaky. Sokolov is fat and unintelligent. Rubtsov can forecheck, but doesn't have the talent to take over a game. Heck, I'd kill to have even someone like Nikita Dvurechensky on this roster. Someone with enough skating skill to win a race for the puck.
In the past you could expect the Russians to surprise teams on the fast break in between periods of bad hockey. There is none of that explosiveness here.
I don't think Bragin is to blame here.. In 2011 and 2012 he had a team that could pass and set up nice plays... Even last year!
The problem is the 1998 year.. In fact all years of late 90s look shaky. You throw on top our best talents leaving to NA instead cutting their teeth in KHL and that's the result.
I've had really high hopes for
Abramov.. Remember those hands and agility and creativity.. Where did it go?
Sokolov.. he was never the fastest but man he could stick handle and lay some hits.. Now his skating is painful to watch
Kostin.. Just last year he was beating defensman with a slick move and two strides.. Now he skates slower on the outside
Rubtsov.. He was so creative with Kayumov.. Now you guys are right he just forechecks well
In a time when Russia is regrouping to be more sovereign on all fronts our hockey keeps getting robbed of the little best that we have remaining
I have the impression that corruption is at play here. Bragin's line and player choices may reflect the wishes of some rich folks from above
We already are. The downfall is already happening. Question is whether Russia can stop it and reverse the situation. The key is to stop the flow of best junior players to Canada. If Russia fails to do this then it is pretty much over for Russian hockey. Then Russia will not compete for the Gold or even a medal in any major international tournament.At any rate, I certainly hope that we're not witnessing an utter downfall of Russian hockey.