WJC: 2021 Russia Roster Talk

[Caser]

I was excited to get to finally get to watch Askerov play a full game for the first time. I know it’s one game and that’s nothing to overreact about, but for as much hype as Askerov has, I was very disappointed.

I don't know, I think he did well, can't really blame him for the goals I think. Maybe was getting a bit nervous at some point, but nothing awful.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

He didn't really thrive, SYu were just really short of any kind of other options. Having said that, at WJC he could definitely do the job so I think the main reasons are those two: 1) other options (Chayka and Knyazev) aren't significantly worse; 2) coaches would rather see Mukhamadullin playing 5v5 so it makes sense to give him rest during the PPs. Those two kind of mold into one: not playing him on PP is a cost-effective way to limit his workload.

Yeah, he took a lot of ES time and PK1

 

[Tube Skates]

I like everything about this team. Unless they run in to a goalie having a hot game they should get the gold this year.

 

[JayZIH]

I don't know, I think he did well, can't really blame him for the goals I think. Maybe was getting a bit nervous at some point, but nothing awful.

Askarov was good , i noticed that the guys in front of hum Want to fight for him which proves he has a lot of influence on the rest on the team. I believe he is easily the best goalie in this tournament. I love his aggressive style arround the net.
Great Pick’s by the Preds...

 

[JayZIH]

Am i the only on that ilya Safonov looks like Ivan Telegin ..? A lot of similarity in his game

 

[Statsy]

I'm hoping to see a bit more offense from Podkolzin in the future, his forecheck was excellent though

I’m not sure he’s ever going to be the big scorer people are hoping for, but VP does so many good things out there to help a team win. He’ll definitely be a solid NHL player and likely a fan favourite.

 

[Atas2000]

Am i the only on that ilya Safonov looks like Ivan Telegin ..? A lot of similarity in his game

Only the size. Different position and style of play.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Congrats Team Russia on a well deserved win... I thought they were a notch better last night than the game vs Canada..
Their possession game was a major factor in the win imo

 

[nhlfan9191]

I don't know, I think he did well, can't really blame him for the goals I think. Maybe was getting a bit nervous at some point, but nothing awful.

His mechanics looked awful. Glove hand looked super weak and he was posturing way to low. Not to mention he was fighting every shot and looking behind him. That part could be nerves, but overall very unimpressive. But it is only one game and he is 18.

 

[VVP]

Team Russia (just like team USA) didn't look good to me as a whole. The team did enough good plays to score goals but for long stretches of time I didn't see a very cohesive team that would show some kind of a system. Their system was just to utilize the talent and play creative enough hockey to outscore the opponent, which worked this time but may let you down against top notch opponents. I am not a fan of Larionov, I don't believe in him, but may be, just may be, he is the kind of a coach that 19 year olds need? In any case, Russia does look like it has enough team speed to compete against anybody but if they don't gel quick Gold is not going to happen.

I did not like very late hit on Podkolzin. Hits like that can hurt kids. I can't believe Larionov didn't raise hell with the refs about that. For all the IIHF effort to remove late hits from the game they do not penalize something so obvious.

 

[LeafChief]

This Russian team plays a very pro-team style. Very well coached.

 

[Wings4Life]

Very nice start. Could possibly finish first in the group now, though Sweden will put up a fight.

 

[Yakushev72]

Team Russia (just like team USA) didn't look good to me as a whole. The team did enough good plays to score goals but for long stretches of time I didn't see a very cohesive team that would show some kind of a system. Their system was just to utilize the talent and play creative enough hockey to outscore the opponent, which worked this time but may let you down against top notch opponents. I am not a fan of Larionov, I don't believe in him, but may be, just may be, he is the kind of a coach that 19 year olds need? In any case, Russia does look like it has enough team speed to compete against anybody but if they don't gel quick Gold is not going to happen.

I did not like very late hit on Podkolzin. Hits like that can hurt kids. I can't believe Larionov didn't raise hell with the refs about that. For all the IIHF effort to remove late hits from the game they do not penalize something so obvious.

I really agree with you regarding the hit on Podkolzin in the 3rd period. That was a plan. That was a conspiracy! One guy grabbed Podkolzin and held him still so that he couldn't defend himself, while the other guy came up and blasted him. Podkolzin was hurt. I couldn't believe that Larionov could just stand there with his pursed lips and let the referees get away with that. A lot of the American players are spoiled rich kids from suburban prep schools, and they are allowed to get away with that crap at their prep schools. The IIHF shouldn't tolerate it, the refs shouldn't tolerate it, and God Almighty - Larionov should never tolerate it!

 

[ViD]

I don't know, I think he did well, can't really blame him for the goals I think. Maybe was getting a bit nervous at some point, but nothing awful.

The first goal was on him, clearly

 

[Firsov99]

The first goal was on him, clearly

I thought so as well at first, but the replay shows that the shot was slightly tipped before reaching him. A tough save to make.

 

[Caser]

The first goal was on him, clearly

I thought so as well at first, but the replay shows that the shot was slightly tipped before reaching him. A tough save to make.

The puck changed the trajectory at least once on that shot if not twice - first it hit Bardakov and then looks like it might've hit Boldy too:

 

[Fantomas]

It's too early to draw any conclusions about Askarov. Look at Knight. Anyone can look bad in the short term.

 

[Firsov99]

The puck changed the trajectory at least once on that shot if not twice - first it hit Bardakov and then looks like it might've hit Boldy too:

Exactly. I think it’s unfair to blame Askarov for this goal.

 

[ViD]

It's too early to draw any conclusions about Askarov. Look at Knight. Anyone can look bad in the short term.

Well, I think the sentiment here is that he already had a bad tournament last year so people are judging him based on that too.

 

[Atas2000]

Exactly. I think it’s unfair to blame Askarov for this goal.

It would have been in his chest if not redirected.

 

[Atas2000]

I can only hope not. If they are on PP a lot maybe. Otherwise, Askarov help us.

I'd rather hope for Knyazev as a joker. He could not play much this season, so it was not possible to properly evaluate his play. But he is older and maybe more steady defensively.

So far Chistyakov looks like the joker on the D. Good! We need somebody to step up. And it gives Mukhamadullin more opportunity to be himself and thrive in the OZ.

 

[themelkman]

Kniazev seems to do well most of the time hes out but he doesnt seem to get many minutes.

 

[VVP]

Team Russia vs Czechs is the worst Russian U20 team I have seen in years. No heart compared to Czech team.

 

[Minty Cowboy]

Could use some of Abramovs creativity and skill haha

 

[VVP]

I thought I would never see a coach on a team Russia worse than Plyuschev but here it is - Igor Larionov. I remember reading Alyonka Larionov's comment how Igor commented once when she was very young something about her weight and how it affected her, when she grew up she had some major issues with eating disorders and I though he is a horrible father. Now I see he is also a horrible coach. At this point for U20 kids you need as much of a coach as a father figure - he is neither. No hope for this team because miracles do not happen in hockey at this level.