2023 Prospect Poll #8

[Zman5778]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.

Part of it is certainly the old adage "out of sight, out of mind". Not many here have seen Poltapov play a lot, just some highlights. Novikov, meanwhile, just put on a dazzling display at rookie camp.....and he's actually here.

PP is always going to kind of be fringe-ish around here until he arrives here in the summer of 25. Then people will remember that he was a HIGH 2nd round pick with plenty of talent.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Wahlberg slightly ahead of Rousek.

Add Komarov. Based on how these last few adds have gone, feels like I'll probably end up voting for Komarov for several rounds before he gets picked...

 

[Chainshot]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.

He's close. I think I will go back in a few days and re-evaluate because there are players I have higher in mind than the math works out. Poltapov is one of those.

 

[billsandsabres]

add jake richard

 

[Matt Ress]

Kozak, add Richard

I just think Kozak is a sure fire 4C NHL'er for years.

I agree. I think he's certainly being groomed for that role even if he's a couple years away.

Novikov add Komarov

 

[Matt Ress]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.

I have Novikov by a hair but are you sure he wasn't an impact player? He hasn't flashed a ton offensively but he has some tools and I get the feeling that opposing players know when he's on the ice.

 

[tsujimoto74]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.

Meh, the reality is that the vast majority of North Americans aren’t going to have seen much, if any, KHL (or MHL or VHL) hockey, so people are probably giving Novikov credit for being a trusted regular in a top men’s league at such a young age. Plus I hear he looked good at dev camp.

 

[Caser]

I have Novikov by a hair but are you sure he wasn't an impact player? He hasn't flashed a ton offensively but he has some tools and I get the feeling that opposing players know when he's on the ice.

In the absolute majority of the KHL games this season he was getting only the 7th D role, with decent icetime for that role though, but still just that, not to mention that when the playoffs started his icetime just shrunk. Might be a matter of definitions, of course, but that's not what I would call an impact.

Meh, the reality is that the vast majority of North Americans aren’t going to have seen much, if any, KHL (or MHL or VHL) hockey, so people are probably giving Novikov credit for being a trusted regular in a top men’s league at such a young age. Plus I hear he looked good at dev camp.

As I written above I'm kind of not exactly agreeing to the "trusted regular" part.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.

If I were to guess, it's because Nova is a defenseman, and up until very recently the Sabres defensive pool has been probably the weakest area.

 

[Matt Ress]

In the absolute majority of the KHL games this season he was getting only the 7th D role, with decent icetime for that role though, but still just that, not to mention that when the playoffs started his icetime just shrunk. Might be a matter of definitions, of course, but that's not what I would call an impact.


As I written above I'm kind of not exactly agreeing to the "trusted regular" part.

I appreciate this. Do you think his ice time was limited due to age or did he just not look great in his role?

 

[MOGlLNY]

In the absolute majority of the KHL games this season he was getting only the 7th D role, with decent icetime for that role though, but still just that, not to mention that when the playoffs started his icetime just shrunk. Might be a matter of definitions, of course, but that's not what I would call an impact.


As I written above I'm kind of not exactly agreeing to the "trusted regular" part.

Been waiting for a post like this, I was curious as to your opinion on the matter. Thanks for sharing, as always!

Seems like this is the big year for Poltapov to be really impactful for his club? Hopefully he push himself into our upper echelon of prospects in the eyes of most of our guys who don't get the chance to watch him.

What do you think his ceiling is?

 

[MagnumForce2]

Wahlberg…add Richard

 

[MOGlLNY]

@tsujimoto74 Always appreciate the effort put into these. You show where said players moved up and down from last year's list, but maybe always post a link in the OP of the previous year's list as well? Just to compare?

HERE

 

[KiwiGriff]

Neuchev
Add von Barnekow-Lofberg

Glad to start seeing some Neuchev love. Are there prospects that are more likely to make it than him? Yeah probably. But I reckon his goal-scoring might set him a higher ceiling.

 

[SonofHerb]

Novikov. Add Komarov.

 

[HOOats]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.

Amen. Imo Sabres positional depth shouldn't be coming into play in these polls. Just straight potential-times-likeihood, value to a generic NHL team in a trade. Poltapov is head and shoulders above Novikov for me.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Wahlberg, add Komarov

Wahlberg might become the big body power forward the Sabres desperately need.

FIFY...

 

[Caser]

I appreciate this. Do you think his ice time was limited due to age or did he just not look great in his role?

To start, his age was one of the main factors that he was with the KHL team at all, as it is allowed to have 7 Ds only if one of them is U20 and here Novikov didn't really have much competition. Still Dynamo is a strong team that puts emphasize on the D, so his contribution in this role was decent, just, as I wrote, it wasn't really too impactful.

Been waiting for a post like this, I was curious as to your opinion on the matter. Thanks for sharing, as always!

Seems like this is the big year for Poltapov to be really impactful for his club? Hopefully he push himself into our upper echelon of prospects in the eyes of most of our guys who don't get the chance to watch him.

What do you think his ceiling is?

Poltapov really put the expectation bar high after these playoffs, as there were games when he was the best player on ice for the CSKA (it also had to do with him having much fresher legs than other players, but still). So yes, a big year since he needs to translate this impressive yet a bit short playoff performance into a consistent one throughout the season. As for the ceiling even though I've usually been on the skeptical side with him I think it now should be viewed as of a top-six W.

 

[elchud]

STRBAK

 

[Matt Ress]

To start, his age was one of the main factors that he was with the KHL team at all, as it is allowed to have 7 Ds only if one of them is U20 and here Novikov didn't really have much competition. Still Dynamo is a strong team that puts emphasize on the D, so his contribution in this role was decent, just, as I wrote, it wasn't really too impactful.


Poltapov really put the expectation bar high after these playoffs, as there were games when he was the best player on ice for the CSKA (it also had to do with him having much fresher legs than other players, but still). So yes, a big year since he needs to translate this impressive yet a bit short playoff performance into a consistent one throughout the season. As for the ceiling even though I've usually been on the skeptical side with him I think it now should be viewed as of a top-six W.

I did not know that about young defensemen in the KHL. Appreciate that

 

[Sabre the Win]

Novikov is Power's partner in the near future. It's a hill I am willing to die on. He's gonna be legit.

I like Whalberg but it seems power forwards never really work out for us, Evander Kane and Rick Nash are the two that were stars. Not many after stand out if any.

I would vote Whalberg next tho if Novikov won.

 

[allsilverdreams]

I voted for Marky Mark

 

[StrompTroller]

Novikov is Power's partner in the near future. It's a hill I am willing to die on. He's gonna be legit.

I like Whalberg but it seems power forwards never really work out for us, Evander Kane and Rick Nash are the two that were stars. Not many after stand out if any.

I would vote Whalberg next tho if Novikov won.

wait....what?