Around the NHL - (2024-25)

[JAHV]

13:32 into his 1st NHL game and Demidov has 1g 1a. This could be a decade long nightmare for Ducks fans.

Full credit to the kid on both those goals - he's obviously got some skill.

But also, the Blackhawks defense. Woof.

 

[Big Fat Rebound]

Full credit to the kid on both those goals - he's obviously got some skill.

But also, the Blackhawks defense. Woof.

This stat is pretty telling (and astonishing). We'll see if Kyle Davidson's commitment to the growing pains results in him having his job long-term or not.

 

[HanSolo]

Still think it's gonna be rough. I had reservations about Demidov because his draft year KHL play versus VHL was pretty stark. He struggled to create and find space in the KHL. I still wanted either him or Buium. This year in the KHL I could tell I was wrong to doubt him.

I see how and why we picked Sennecke but Demidov could be a legit superstar and we skipped him. Gonna suck if Sennecke doesn't hit.

 

[JAHV]

I don't know how much more strongly I can disagree with a post. I'll just say that I disagree. The Ducks shocked everyone by taking Sennecke...hopefully he becomes a top line RW to justifiy the pick. But if he doesn't and Demidov does then the Ducks really really blew it. And the Russian factor was ALWAYS overblown. There was ZERO risk to taking Demidov other than Verbeek's unwillingness to build a team with any Russians as part of the core. You want a team to suck for perpetuity? Screw up top 5 picks. I hope Sennecke delivers.

What is your evidence for this given that the prior year a Russian had clearly and obviously spurned the Ducks (and other teams) to effect his selection by a different team? If there's an interview with Demidov where he indicates he would have signed with the Ducks, then fair enough. I'll concede your point (although not quite as strongly as you feel about it).

Here's my thing though - this isn't just the Ducks. Not only did Columbus pass on Demidov, but so did Chicago. A bunch of teams passed on Michkov the year prior for similar reasons. And it's been happening for years.

Trivia for you: when is the last time ANY team drafted a Russian from a Russian hockey league with a top 3 pick? I'll give you a hint - the player in question now holds the NHL goal-scoring record.

I just don't believe that there was zero risk, and it seems neither do NHL GMs.

 

[tomd]

What is your evidence for this given that the prior year a Russian had clearly and obviously spurned the Ducks (and other teams) to effect his selection by a different team? If there's an interview with Demidov where he indicates he would have signed with the Ducks, then fair enough. I'll concede your point (although not quite as strongly as you feel about it).

Here's my thing though - this isn't just the Ducks. Not only did Columbus pass on Demidov, but so did Chicago. A bunch of teams passed on Michkov the year prior for similar reasons. And it's been happening for years.

Trivia for you: when is the last time ANY team drafted a Russian from a Russian hockey league with a top 3 pick? I'll give you a hint - the player in question now holds the NHL goal-scoring record.

I just don't believe that there was zero risk, and it seems neither do NHL GMs.

The Ducks wanted a 1C in the '23 draft...there was no way they were taking a winger with that pick. And that's fine. A 1C is too valuable to pass on. Now there is a legit argument that they should have taken Fantilli...time will tell on that one but Fantilli is looking like a future legit 40-50 goal scorer at this point.

As far as the '24 draft, do you think Chicago and Columbus fans are happy that they passed on Demidov? Some trivia for you...has any Russian player NOT been allowed to come over to the NHL in the last couple of decades? Maybe that Russian goalie in Philly who came over later anyway. Besides that no one. And what makes you think Demidov wouldn't have signed in Anaheim? There is just no proof of that. He seems to have been happy to go to whatever city drafted him. What's his alternative? Stay in Russia? No way.

Look, the Ducks now have to pray that Sennecke becomes as much of a difference maker as Demidov otherwise it was a very bad pick.

 

[LePerilsofPerreault]

Still think it's gonna be rough. I had reservations about Demidov because his draft year KHL play versus VHL was pretty stark. He struggled to create and find space in the KHL. I still wanted either him or Buium. This year in the KHL I could tell I was wrong to doubt him.

I see how and why we picked Sennecke but Demidov could be a legit superstar and we skipped him. Gonna suck if Sennecke doesn't hit.

I think Sennecke will hit enough for me not to be too upset about it, and a right handed shot is nice, but I think Demidov will stay a few steps ahead. But maybe i’m blinded by the desire I had to draft him.

I just hope going forward we aren’t forever limited to picking the next best thing because a major hockey region is cut off to us. And that we aren’t stuck with Boldys instead of Kucherovs.

 

[FiveTacos]

The Ducks wanted a 1C in the '23 draft...there was no way they were taking a winger with that pick. And that's fine. A 1C is too valuable to pass on. Now there is a legit argument that they should have taken Fantilli...time will tell on that one but Fantilli is looking like a future legit 40-50 goal scorer at this point.

Yeah, but is Fantilli looking like a 1C, or more like a goal scoring winger?

 

[tomd]

Yeah, but is Fantilli looking like a 1C, or more like a goal scoring winger?

TIme will tell but I think he could play either C or wing. I'm not sure how Columbus is using him now but 29 goals is tough to argue with no matter what position he's playing. Add the physicality he brings and Carlsson has his work cut out for him...and I like Carlsson.

 

[HanSolo]

Yeah, but is Fantilli looking like a 1C, or more like a goal scoring winger?

Honestly? He's a lot closer to a Bedard as a center who plays like a winger than he is to Leo and how he projects to fit with the position.

The Ducks wanted a 1C in the '23 draft...there was no way they were taking a winger with that pick. And that's fine. A 1C is too valuable to pass on. Now there is a legit argument that they should have taken Fantilli...time will tell on that one but Fantilli is looking like a future legit 40-50 goal scorer at this point.

As far as the '24 draft, do you think Chicago and Columbus fans are happy that they passed on Demidov? Some trivia for you...has any Russian player NOT been allowed to come over to the NHL in the last couple of decades? Maybe that Russian goalie in Philly who came over later anyway. Besides that no one. And what makes you think Demidov wouldn't have signed in Anaheim? There is just no proof of that. He seems to have been happy to go to whatever city drafted him. What's his alternative? Stay in Russia? No way.

Look, the Ducks now have to pray that Sennecke becomes as much of a difference maker as Demidov otherwise it was a very bad pick.

He needs to be more of an impact player than Buium too. I was extremely high on Zeev last year and so far I see no reason to believe I was wrong about it. Which isn't a self pat on the back and I know he's another LD but as promising as Beckett looked in camp and juniors, it's on him to validate the reach. Jury is still out that it wasn't just Madden and Co. trying to be the smartest guys in the room.

 

[HanSolo]

TIme will tell but I think he could play either C or wing. I'm not sure how Columbus is using him now but 29 goals is tough to argue with no matter what position he's playing. Add the physicality he brings and Carlsson has his work cut out for him...and I like Carlsson.

Leo is already the better all around player and that gap should only increase as Leo gets bigger and stronger. Yeah Fantilli will have him beat on throwing the body and probably goal scoring, but I think Leo will be the more valuable 1C.

 

[tomd]

Honestly? He's a lot closer to a Bedard as a center who plays like a winger than he is to Leo and how he projects to fit with the position.

He needs to be more of an impact player than Buium too. I was extremely high on Zeev last year and so far I see no reason to believe I was wrong about it. Which isn't a self pat on the back and I know he's another LD but as promising as Beckett looked in camp and juniors, it's on him to validate the reach. Jury is still out that it wasn't just Madden and Co. trying to be the smartest guys in the room.

Yeah, I like Carlsson as the prototypical 1C but he needs to get man strength and add some intensity to his game. Both things that Fantilli already has.

No argument on the '24 draft. If Sennecke doesn't fully deliver then it was a disastrous draft for Madden & Company. There are going to be a lot of stars from that draft that were taken after Sennecke.

 

[tomd]

Leo is already the better all around player and that gap should only increase as Leo gets bigger and stronger. Yeah Fantilli will have him beat on throwing the body and probably goal scoring, but I think Leo will be the more valuable 1C.

From your lips to God's ears.

 

[HanSolo]

Yeah, I like Carlsson as the prototypical 1C but he needs to get man strength and add some intensity to his game. Both things that Fantilli already has.

No argument on the '24 draft. If Sennecke doesn't fully deliver then it was a disastrous draft for Madden & Company. There are going to be a lot of stars from that draft that were taken after Sennecke.

Fantilli had the man's body before any of Leo, Michkov, Bedard, Smith, Leonard, etc. All of them still have growing to do in that regard. Agreed on the intensity.

As for 2024...I don't know that Sennecke needs to be clearly better than the guys drafted after him but he needs to at last be a 60 point player who can slot in on our future top line. Whiffing on Demidov to end up with a 40-50 point second liner would be awful.

 

[FiveTacos]

Honestly? He's a lot closer to a Bedard as a center who plays like a winger than he is to Leo and how he projects to fit with the position.

That's kind of the feel I get from admittedly few viewings of Fantilli. I wouldn't be sad about it mind you ... But if the team was going to insist on moving Zegras to wing then Leo is the better "fit". I also think it makes the Cutter trade a better fit too, as opposed to two shoot first guys.

Truth is we couldn't go wrong either way. No Leo hasn't scored 30 ... But Fantilli hasn't put together a nearly 30 game point per game stretch either. Not does he play as good a defensive game, at least not yet.

 

[HanSolo]

That's kind of the feel I get from admittedly few viewings of Fantilli. I wouldn't be sad about it mind you ... But if the team was going to insist on moving Zegras to wing then Leo is the better "fit". I also think it makes the Cutter trade a better fit too, as opposed to two shoot first guys.

Truth is we couldn't go wrong either way. No Leo hasn't scored 30 ... But Fantilli hasn't put together a nearly 30 game point per game stretch either. Not does he play as good a defensive game, at least not yet.

Not even close on the defense. Columbus didn't have the offensive struggles we did this year. Leo is close enough given his slump that I'm not sweating the point difference. At least not yet.

 

[LePerilsofPerreault]

Hilarious shootout. Everyone including the refs missed that Nazar's shot went into the net. Then they overturned it after Laine's attempt. Fans were so confused. Suzuki hits the post on a wide open backhand and the Jackets still alive.

 

[Terry Yake]

who knows if demidov will live up to the hype, but either way, the jackets have to be kicking themselves for taking a guy with back problems

 

[Bleak]

I'll be happy if Sennecke becomes a solid winger at the 75 point mark for his career. Demidov was my choice for the draft, but I've learned not to cry over spilt milk in sports. I do think our draft picks are defensively responsible and will be able to develop a lot of strength to do the little things on the ice. Size plays a big part in board battles. We will have to see!

 

[Rasp]

The Ducks wanted a 1C in the '23 draft...there was no way they were taking a winger with that pick. And that's fine. A 1C is too valuable to pass on. Now there is a legit argument that they should have taken Fantilli...time will tell on that one but Fantilli is looking like a future legit 40-50 goal scorer at this point.

As far as the '24 draft, do you think Chicago and Columbus fans are happy that they passed on Demidov? Some trivia for you...has any Russian player NOT been allowed to come over to the NHL in the last couple of decades? Maybe that Russian goalie in Philly who came over later anyway. Besides that no one. And what makes you think Demidov wouldn't have signed in Anaheim? There is just no proof of that. He seems to have been happy to go to whatever city drafted him. What's his alternative? Stay in Russia? No way.

Look, the Ducks now have to pray that Sennecke becomes as much of a difference maker as Demidov otherwise it was a very bad pick.

Take a look at our prospect Artyom Galimov. Is he coming over to play for us? Verbeek was awfully quiet about it when asked.

There's a lot more to Russian players than if they will come over or not. A big factor is cultural fit. Is he going to fit in as a positive factor off the ice or will he be arrogant and cause friction? Is he going to want to be overpaid or bail on us?

You need to weigh everything up against what other options are available at your pick. Sennecke clearly ticks a lot of boxes and has massive upside.

 

[FiveTacos]

Not even close on the defense. Columbus didn't have the offensive struggles we did this year. Leo is close enough given his slump that I'm not sweating the point difference. At least not yet.

Either way we went, I'd probably be looking at the other guy going, "man, he's really good too."

At this point though, I'm sorta glad we didn't win the first pick. Bedard is easily the most flawed of the three. He'd better take a huge step offensively if he's gonna end up better than the two big Cs.

who knows if demidov will live up to the hype, but either way, the jackets have to be kicking themselves for taking a guy with back problems

So glad we didn't risk it on Lindstrom. On descriptors, he'd have been perfect, exactly what this team could have used. But no way we could chance burning a 3oa pick on that sort of medical risk.

 

[tomd]

Take a look at our prospect Artyom Galimov. Is he coming over to play for us? Verbeek was awfully quiet about it when asked.

There's a lot more to Russian players than if they will come over or not. A big factor is cultural fit. Is he going to fit in as a positive factor off the ice or will he be arrogant and cause friction? Is he going to want to be overpaid or bail on us?

You need to weigh everything up against what other options are available at your pick. Sennecke clearly ticks a lot of boxes and has massive upside.

Sorry but I'm not buying the cultural fit BS. The Ducks are so unique they can't have a Russian on the team? And Demidov seems like a great kid...enthusiastic and always smiling. I just don't see a problem there.

If Sennecke hits his upside then Madden & company made a great pick and they WERE the smartest guys in the room on that day. If not, then Madden & company blew yet another 1st round pick and this one will really hurt. Time will tell.

 

[Masch78]

Big Demidov promoter here; I do still think he will be the best player out of the draft even with that what Celebrini is showing right now. I would be superfine with Sennecke if Demidov was gone. But he was not and I do fully get the risks and everything. But there was never a question if he will come or not. And I think him and Minty would be good together.

What I still don't fully get is how much of the war and the Russian behavior does effect the other European players. If this plays a role in the consideration of taking Russians.

 

[Hey234]

Multiple teams passed over Demidov. Maybe he becomes the best player out of the draft, or maybe just average. Sennecke also looks promising. At the end of the day, the success of the pick has nothing to do with Demidov and everything to do with Sennecke. As long as he is a solid player, then who cares?

As an aside, it is entirely possible that Demidov, or his agent, signaled to the Ducks that he was not interested. Michkov essentially chose Philly, and the Ducks may not have even had a chance. I hope Demidov has a great career like I do all players. I just hope the Ducks' players have even better careers.

 

[mightyquack]

Damn can't believe Demidov broke the goalscoring record in his debut game. Literally the GOAT.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Really couldn't care less what Fantilli does. They're different players who bring different things. If Leo is close to what he was projected be then he was a good pick, regardless of whether Fantilli knocks some guys over or scores 40 goals.