Player Discussion Alexander Romanov

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Back to Romanov, this guy is so damn smooth out there. So smart and aware at his age. It's hard to remember, a 21 year old dman with this kind of iq, talent, passion, drive and composure at this age for us. He doesn't shy away or get intimidated. The sky is the limit for this kid. Could be a number 1 in the future imo. It's hard to find a glaring weakness and he's just a baby.

Subban was exactly everything you named when he came in.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Subban was exactly everything you named when he came in.

I mentioned the Subban "it" factor towards Romanov a while ago now and I was jumped for it.

Comments that were constantly said
* Romanov has no offensive skill (KHL stat watching pros who don't know his usage context)
* Romanov has a weak shot from the point
* Romanov's WJC was in a small tournament narrative. (He passed the production and eye test in both age 18 and 19 seasons FFS!)
* Habs fans overrate our prospects

What we see today
* He skates just as well as Subban
* He is physical and in your face like Subban
* He has a shot like Subban
* He has tons of energy like Subban
* He has confidence and no fear like Subban
* He has vision like Subban
* His IQ might be higher than Subban!

It's all there if some people choose to see it! I think Romanov might be better than Subban in his prime. Said it before and will say it again... Get picky with Romanov's game and it's hard to find a flaw. Even with Suzuki and Kotkaniemi, you can nit pick flaws. Suzuki's top end speed and Kotkaniemi's lack of edge work, needs to fill into his frame, and his shot takes too long to release.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

He's good enough to be a rookie of the year contender.

Defensemen rarely get Calder recognition, because the hockey media is superficial and only look at pure offence. Also applies to the Selke to some extent. Remember when the Selke used to go to guys like Carbonneau and Gainey, and even Lethinen?

 

[Mrb1p]

There might be as many, I haven't verified, I generally agree with your premise, but I think it's more of a crapshoot outside the first round. You have a better chance of getting the right guy in the first round even though there are options available in 2rd +. I prefer to draft forwards in the first round, but depending on draft position and draft quality it's not as simple as saying always pick forwards in the first round.

One thing I would never do is draft a goalie top5-10, or perhaps even in the first round. I know Price has worked out for us, but I still don't think it's a good approach. They just don't carry the same value league wide due to the limited amount of starters and the difficulty in predicting their long term development.

To me, the first round is for getting your elite talent, ie forwards usually, but in some situations you might be forced to pick the dman if all the high end, can't miss forwards are off the board and a true stud dman is available.

Obviously its always a case by case, but generally if you follow this guideline, I think you can have better success.

The thing is, even for really freaking good defenders picked in the first round, there's usually a forward I can thinkof that I would rather have.
Dahlin has Svechnikov
Makar/Heiskanen with Pete and... Suzuki (Don't hate me )
Juolevi with Tkachuk and Keller
Hanifin, Provo and Werenski with Meier, Gurianov, Barzal, Connor, Rantanen
Chabot with Boeser and Konecny
Juulsen with Beauvillier
Ekblad with Reinhart, Drai
Fleury with Nylander, Ehlers, Fiala

Now this isn't always true, obviously as Boqvist and Hughes are alone there, with maybe Farabee pushing them ? 2018 was probably the strongest defender draft in recent memory, though, to be fair. As a general rule of thumb though, there's a forward that is as valuable or more available after the D picked and there's a defender that is as valuable in the 2nd round, but not a forward.

 

[DAChampion]

Obviously its always a case by case, but generally if you follow this guideline, I think you can have better success.

The thing is, even for really freaking good defenders picked in the first round, there's usually a forward I can thinkof that I would rather have.
Dahlin has Svechnikov
Makar/Heiskanen with Pete and... Suzuki (Don't hate me )
Juolevi with Tkachuk and Keller
Hanifin, Provo and Werenski with Meier, Gurianov, Barzal, Connor, Rantanen
Chabot with Boeser and Konecny
Juulsen with Beauvillier
Ekblad with Reinhart, Drai
Fleury with Nylander, Ehlers, Fiala

Now this isn't always true, obviously as Boqvist and Hughes are alone there, with maybe Farabee pushing them ? 2018 was probably the strongest defender draft in recent memory, though, to be fair. As a general rule of thumb though, there's a forward that is as valuable or more available after the D picked and there's a defender that is as valuable in the 2nd round, but not a forward.

I think it's because it's easier to predict forwards.

 

[Mrb1p]

Defensemen rarely get Calder recognition, because the hockey media is superficial and only look at pure offence. Also applies to the Selke to some extent. Remember when the Selke used to go to guys like Carbonneau and Gainey, and even Lethinen?

Its because rookie defenders usually play a smaller role on their respective team. Romanov and Mitchell will have a lesser role than Lafreniere and Stutzle, meaning they produce more but also impact the game more, its just the nature of the positions, unless youre Makar.

Also the Selke is the league shift towards matchup based defense and first line matching, Carbonneau and Babcock started that trend back up with Datsyuk and Plekanec, shifting back from the 90s and early 00s days of needing a dedicated checking line. First line players are now asked to be dominant on both sides of the puck, and first line players are just better at hockey than pure checkers. Its not some conspiracy towards offense.

 

[Mrb1p]

I think it's because it's easier to predict forwards.

Of course thats it, its much easier to judge fundamentals and to project a forward than it is a defender, then add in that defenders are generally bigger and generally move to defense at a later age (A lot of defenders play forward until they are one or two years from junior), it's easy to see why.

 

[The Great Weal]

I'm still not used to having a good player on the team that we drafted ourselves. It's been a decade since the last one.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'm still not used to having a good player on the team that we drafted ourselves. It's been a decade since the last one.

I've been saying it for a while now... Draft power is a game changer. You look across the NHL and you will see that overall trend. Context is important

08-11: Only 8 top 100 picks. Horrible draft power and massive ripple effects. Development gets blamed on Sly and Gainey gets a pass for trading away all those picks. What is this, some popularity contest? Sly is a bad coach and he didn't fail anybody in development. Pateryn vs Tinordi for example? Sly had shit to develop
12-13: Great draft power but weak drafts. Bad luck and that hurt. Ripple effects from 08-13 had major future consequences. Fans blamed development once again.
14-16: Missing 2nd round picks. Draft power below average and results are below average. Go figure
17+: Nobody can trump our draft power. Sens are close and they have more top 10 picks. You want stick on the "Habs overrate our prospects" narrative. Go right head, you will be surprised

Think about the advantage of having several 2nd round picks. I bet you we take Ylonen and wait for Romanov in the 3rd round if we didn't have multiple 2nd rounders. And in this case, we might not have Romanov today. That's what draft power provides. And of course, I do think Timmins learn some things along the way. Bergevin as well

 

[26Mats]

I mentioned the Subban "it" factor towards Romanov a while ago now and I was jumped for it.

Comments that were constantly said
* Romanov has no offensive skill (KHL stat watching pros who don't know his usage context)
* Romanov has a weak shot from the point
* Romanov's WJC was in a small tournament narrative. (He passed the production and eye test in both age 18 and 19 seasons FFS!)
* Habs fans overrate our prospects

What we see today
* He skates just as well as Subban
* He is physical and in your face like Subban
* He has a shot like Subban
* He has tons of energy like Subban
* He has confidence and no fear like Subban
* He has vision like Subban
* His IQ might be higher than Subban!

It's all there if some people choose to see it! I think Romanov might be better than Subban in his prime. Said it before and will say it again... Get picky with Romanov's game and it's hard to find a flaw. Even with Suzuki and Kotkaniemi, you can nit pick flaws. Suzuki's top end speed and Kotkaniemi's lack of edge work, needs to fill into his frame, and his shot takes too long to release.

Subban was my comparable because of some of the factors you mention.

But, as even those of us who had Subbam as a comparable knew, Romanov will be his own player. So far Romanov seems more pass first - he looks to make the stretch pass, whereas Subban was more skate the puck up himself first. Second, though both are first on the ice and last off it, and have a lot of exuberance, I haven't seen signs that Romanov will be in some sense power hungry like Subban was. Subban wanted to be a leader partly to help the team and partly because HE wanted to be the man, albeit the man helping the team, still it was an ego thing. I hope Romanov isn't like this or doesn't become like this. It think it's why MB traded PK.

 

[Jabba11]

I think Romanov's style is exactly the combination of PK Subban and Andrei Markov.
Reminds me of parts of PK's game and parts of Markov's game. It's really exciting

 

[The Great Weal]

I've been saying it for a while now... Draft power is a game changer. You look across the NHL and you will see that overall trend. Context is important

08-11: Only 8 top 100 picks. Horrible draft power and massive ripple effects. Development gets blamed on Sly and Gainey gets a pass for trading away all those picks. What is this, some popularity contest? Sly is a bad coach and he didn't fail anybody in development. Pateryn vs Tinordi for example? Sly had shit to develop
12-13: Great draft power but weak drafts. Bad luck and that hurt. Ripple effects from 08-13 had major future consequences. Fans blamed development once again.
14-16: Missing 2nd round picks. Draft power below average and results are below average. Go figure
17+: Nobody can trump our draft power. Sens are close and they have more top 10 picks. You want stick on the "Habs overrate our prospects" narrative. Go right head, you will be surprised

Think about the advantage of having several 2nd round picks. I bet you we take Ylonen and wait for Romanov in the 3rd round if we didn't have multiple 2nd rounders. And in this case, we might not have Romanov today. That's what draft power provides. And of course, I do think Timmins learn some things along the way. Bergevin as well

I've already had this discussion with you before, so I'm just going to keep it simple. There were many good players picked not long after our picks. Many teams have been able to draft at least one when we haven't.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Subban was my comparable because of some of the factors you mention.

But, as even those of us who had Subbam as a comparable knew, Romanov will be his own player. So far Romanov seems more pass first - he looks to make the stretch pass, whereas Subban was more skate the puck up himself first. Second, though both are first on the ice and last off it, and have a lot of exuberance, I haven't seen signs that Romanov will be in some sense power hungry like Subban was. Subban wanted to be a leader partly to help the team and partly because HE wanted to be the man, albeit the man helping the team, still it was an ego thing. I hope Romanov isn't like this or doesn't become like this. It think it's why MB traded PK.

There are no two players alike so I do agree... Romanov will be his own type of talent. The Subban comment was more about value of a player. I can nit pick all day long and I have a hard time finding a flaw in Romanov

 

[ItzaGreat]

I mentioned the Subban "it" factor towards Romanov a while ago now and I was jumped for it.

Comments that were constantly said
* Romanov has no offensive skill (KHL stat watching pros who don't know his usage context)
* Romanov has a weak shot from the point
* Romanov's WJC was in a small tournament narrative. (He passed the production and eye test in both age 18 and 19 seasons FFS!)
* Habs fans overrate our prospects

What we see today
* He skates just as well as Subban
* He is physical and in your face like Subban
* He has a shot like Subban
* He has tons of energy like Subban
* He has confidence and no fear like Subban
* He has vision like Subban
* His IQ might be higher than Subban!

It's all there if some people choose to see it! I think Romanov might be better than Subban in his prime. Said it before and will say it again... Get picky with Romanov's game and it's hard to find a flaw. Even with Suzuki and Kotkaniemi, you can nit pick flaws. Suzuki's top end speed and Kotkaniemi's lack of edge work, needs to fill into his frame, and his shot takes too long to release.

I agree with you on pretty much everything you said.

Kid has a good shot but I don't think its as heavy as Subban was.(I could be wrong on that and that is something that could easily change as time passes)

And habs fan do tend to overhype our prospect but i think every fan base tends to do that lol

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Subban was exactly everything you named when he came in.

Subban checked a lot of the boxes for sure. I think he had more raw talent, but less IQ. Very similar in their passion, drive and composure, Subban was definitely not intimated and welcomed the big stage too. I think we’ve got another player here, if Romanov has a similar impact on the ice as Subban did then we will be doing quite well. Different individual skills, but very similar in a lot of ways.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I agree with you on pretty much everything you said.

Kid has a good shot but I don't think its as heavy as Subban was.(I could be wrong on that and that is something that could easily change as time passes)

And habs fan do tend to overhype our prospect but i think every fan base tends to do that lol

I think it’s way too early to say he’s got a shot as good as Subban. I think his overall skating is better though, although Subban had some elite cross overs and ability to protect the puck. I think Romanov is more cerebral in his approach and will pick his spots better, but he’s got a ways to go to catch Subban.

 

[angusyoung]

I think Romanov's style is exactly the combination of PK Subban and Andrei Markov.
Reminds me of parts of PK's game and parts of Markov's game. It's really exciting

I'm sticking with Guy Lapointe,would be great if he could drop his gloves and be as successful as Lapointe at dropping his gloves. Sure as hell hope he can scrap better then PK anyways.

 

[Adriatic]

Subban was my comparable because of some of the factors you mention.

But, as even those of us who had Subbam as a comparable knew, Romanov will be his own player. So far Romanov seems more pass first - he looks to make the stretch pass, whereas Subban was more skate the puck up himself first. Second, though both are first on the ice and last off it, and have a lot of exuberance, I haven't seen signs that Romanov will be in some sense power hungry like Subban was. Subban wanted to be a leader partly to help the team and partly because HE wanted to be the man, albeit the man helping the team, still it was an ego thing. I hope Romanov isn't like this or doesn't become like this. It think it's why MB traded PK.

Ya I don't see many similarities between the two save for the fact they are both good defensemen. Different style all together if you ask me. PK was much more agitated on the ice, very creative in the offensive zone, looked to carry the puck a lot, go coast to coast, often bypassing pass to forwards, very aggressive defensively which led to many stupid penalties. Many times he got in it with the refs, a lot play acting, diving, a lot of junior stuff...great player but always some kind of circus and drama around him. To me Romanov is seems pretty much the opposite character on and off the ice. He may be less creative offensively at the moment, but he seems much more in control of his actions, more mature, very disciplined and doesn't seem to have any flaws in terms of the basics (clearing the net, taking the man, first pass out, pivots, vision, good on the point on the pp). I can't remember who on this board compared him to Chelios/Schneider style but that seems about right.

 

[JustAHabFan]

Like Subban, Romanov was also picked in the 2nd round. I was like 'Who the hell is Subban/Romanov?'.

 

[26Mats]

Ya I don't see many similarities between the two save for the fact they are both good defensemen. Different style all together if you ask me. PK was much more agitated on the ice, very creative in the offensive zone, looked to carry the puck a lot, go coast to coast, often bypassing pass to forwards, very aggressive defensively which led to many stupid penalties. Many times he got in it with the refs, a lot play acting, diving, a lot of junior stuff...great player but always some kind of circus and drama around him. To me Romanov is seems pretty much the opposite character on and off the ice. He may be less creative offensively at the moment, but he seems much more in control of his actions, more mature, very disciplined and doesn't seem to have any flaws in terms of the basics (clearing the net, taking the man, first pass out, pivots, vision, good on the point on the pp). I can't remember who on this board compared him to Chelios/Schneider style but that seems about right.

Those are indeed the differences between the two players.

The similarities are: they both have and play with an energy and exuberance level that is just above that of a normal player. They both are first on the ice and last off the ice working on their skills. They both came in at 20 and the coach couldn't keep them off the ice, even if before hand they said this is a young player we're going to have to bring along steadily. They both came into their respective world junior tournaments as not all that known and ended up as fan favorites and stars of the tournament by the end of the tournament. They're both 5'11/6' feet but can play a physical game and get the big hit, in addition to being both good offensively and defensively. They both are a good quote in interviews and have big personalities.

 

[ahmedou]

Romanov's #1 Rule:

 

[ahmedou]

 

[sandviper]

Confirmed on 690 just now... pronounced Ro-MAW-nov.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Confirmed on 690 just now... pronounced Ro-MAW-nov.

More like Ro-MAH-nov

 

[KevSkillz4]

More like Ro-MAH-nov

More like Ro-MA-WOOOOOW