I don’t even buy the rumor that certain GMs swore off Russian players considering that two of those teams were supposedly Montreal and Philly (lol).
Montreal drafted two Russian players in 2023. Philly even took a Russian goalie in the 3rd round despite the contract kerfuffle with Fedotov.
I don’t see it.
There were strange case with Michkov. Near Mtl media started early with bashing on him and translate fun narratives about him. When he was asked how his interview was going on, he said that mtl asked him on which wing he is playing. Mtl side said that Demidov is better(player from different draft, who cares who is better) and that they couldnt watch Michkov personally and it meaning a lot for them. There were really falsy narratives from them to take Michkov. I would be okay if they would say "sorry, kid is under control, we dont want to take a deal with it and gamble by high pick". It would be okay. I understand that big part of canada community doesnt like russians and they are involving in hockey and political feuds, but again, they drafted russians later(because it isnt not so important? I dont know). From every interview Michkov was far away from idea to not play for any teams. Mtl didnt say that he said "I dont wanna play for you, split head b1tches", because in case "we heard he is a moron and attitude monster" it would be okay to say that he literally said by himself he doesnt wanna play for us.
And now look at it. Michkov is a 1PPG player as 18 yo. If he is cocky - who cares, if he will help for your team to win. Luke Hughes was cocky from some rumors, I believe we are okay with it.
Ducks and Ottawa didnt draft russians in early rounds for many years. Mintyukov was the first for many many long time, even he was from NA junior league. And you know what? May be he is the best Ducks young player outside from top-3 picks.
Thats a reason why I readed and watched a lot about draft and know that california(lefties part of the country) and canada will not draft Michkov. He was too Russian, they talked more than others about his issues. There were a lot of noise. Some youtubers like scouching putted him as #18 in his mock draft in some moment of the season(when he historically ripped VHL - russian analog of AHL).
So I think in some situations some teams have real issues to draft russians. And its... understandable. This is your politics, your owners give you money and they are dancing you, if this is fundamentally for them - it is their choice. Wright or wrong - doesnt matter. But when teams like mtl are playing in "scouting" and trying to "outsmart" other teams(when they didnt want to take Michkov because of fleur) but after they are taking russian players(you know, third rounders are not so politically effected) - its stupid and fun.
And Im happy for that, because they are bashing on Slafkovsky(even if he is a better prospect than their boy Wright), some are bashing Reinbacher(he is a great prospect, there are no fault of him for this pick), some are bashing Michkov(because they cant accept that their gm and scout f4cked up or they are hating russian players by themselves) and repeating false narratives, some are talking about Hutson like about the best defensive prospect and bashing on any other defensive prospects like Luke Huges. And bashing on Casey when some other fans are trying to compare them. Just imagine when Hutson will start to struggle, poor kid. This fanbase dont deserve special kid and I wish wrong hughes will trade Slafkovsky away for Lafreniere from la kings after they will trade Byfield to nyrangers.
Why team like Devils, who drafted a lot of Russian kids, cant draft Russian goalies, I dont know. May be its a fault of goalie scout. Why they cant draft more talented Russian kids from earlier rounds I dont know either. Not every Russian kid will travel to NA, but our Russian scouts did well, most(all?) of them are playing pro. And even cartoonish Popugaev have better pro career than Bernard, Vukoevic, Pytlick or Salminen will have most likely. Im not defending Popugaev, but Im not happy with mid chl talents as mid picks. Orlov was picked in fourth round and now he is looking like may be the best Devils prospect outside first\second rounders and Gritsyuk.
But we cant stop to draft more CHL players with lower ceiling and we cant stop to draft CHL goalies. It doesnt look like CHL goalies is a good trend now. Freaking Meier was traded for two russians and one swede. Our goaltenders are czechian and swiss man. There are only Mercer and Toffoli from our top-9 as CHLers. May be Devils should stop to draft so many players from CHL and so many goalies from there.
Yeah, sore subject. I have my own kryptowood or blacktonite.
