Is it still possible to draft someone like Datsyuk or Kaprizov in late rounds?

[Nerowoy nora tolad]

There’s a portion of the league that is now a lot more attentive to Russian players than they were way back when. Carolina and Washington are 2 examples. They don’t care if the player is Russian or not, they draft the player they think is best. There are a couple of examples in this 2025 draft class of Russians still not getting a ton of attention.

Daniil Prokhorov and Alexander Zharovsky would be both mid 1st caliber talents all things being equal, but likely get selected in the late 1st early second because there’s a good portion of teams skiddish about drafting russians or don’t have enough eyes on russian players to make the distinction

From what I remember following the draft a lot more back around 2010-2015, there was a lot more concern when looking at Russian prospects back then because the KHL was stronger. I think that factor has declined in recent years.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

It's 100% facts

Perhaps you feel that way, but to say “nobody has a problem with Russian players” is just a nonsense statement

 

[Bouboumaster]

Lol swathes of this site don't want to allow Russians to play in the NHL right now.

It's a way to protest their dictator and it's actions, but it's not against russians per say
Bruh, Demidov didn't Play a single freaking game in Montréal in the regular Season and he's already a superstar here

 

[Bouboumaster]

Perhaps you feel that way, but to say “nobody has a problem with Russian players” is just a nonsense statement

Ok, how about "the vast majority of people have no problems with Russian people"?

 

[ExtraLoveSauce]

As soon as a late round guy becomes a star or effective nhler that type of player will hardly get passed over as much as scouts will look for similar aspects in prospects resulting in drafting on draft day that won't look that much different from a re draft the only thing that could keep an elite prospect out of the first round is lack of size or skating and maybe a false perception of bad iq. Brayden point arche type players won't be passed on in the first round again for example

 

[koivalev]

It's a way to protest their dictator and it's actions, but it's not against russians per say
Bruh, Demidov didn't Play a single freaking game in Montréal in the regular Season and he's already a superstar here

You're correct, he played two. I agree that the half the league being russophobes comment was an exaggeration (or an overestimation) but there are still elements of that. Back in the early 2010s there was a certain stigma around drafting Russian players since they were seen as flight risks. Now it's the fear that they won't be allowed out of their country (which we've seen time and time again is nonsense, including the allegations of a hit being put out on Michkov's dad).

You don't see the same stigma with American College prospects despite the fact that they're significantly more likely to use their FA status after 4 years as leverage to force their way to a different team. You didn't see rumours swirling around Michael Hage's dad when he passed in a similar way to Michkov's.

Intentional or not, Russian prospects are treated with a lot more scrutiny, hesitancy, and bias than North American or Western European prospects are.

 

[Giant Panda]

A lot of players get passed over for not having certain skills or for having certain attitudes.

A player who injures their leg and gets seen as having poor skating might have elite upside he can't showcase.

Of course it's still possible.

 

[koivalev]

As soon as a late round guy becomes a star or effective nhler that type of player will hardly get passed over as much as scouts will look for similar aspects in prospects resulting in drafting on draft day that won't look that much different from a re draft the only thing that could keep an elite prospect out of the first round is lack of size or skating and maybe a false perception of bad iq. Brayden point arche type players won't be passed on in the first round again for example

I mean we saw it with the Hutsons dropping after Hughes' success. I'm sure teams will find some reason to drop Xavier Villeneuve out of the top 20 next season.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Russophobes lol
The things you read...

Nobody has problems with Russian players

We have a problem with their autorities tho

Talk about a complete swing and a miss lmao

 

[ExtraLoveSauce]

I mean we saw it with the Hutsons dropping after Hughes' success. I'm sure teams will find some reason to drop Xavier Villeneuve out of the top 20 next season.

To me that's wild as Hughes went no.6 as well maybe they thought the Hutson didn't have the same iq or it factor maybe or the adage of of there is no way that type of player will work out again

 

[Bouboumaster]

You're correct, he played two. I agree that the half the league being russophobes comment was an exaggeration (or an overestimation) but there are still elements of that. Back in the early 2010s there was a certain stigma around drafting Russian players since they were seen as flight risks. Now it's the fear that they won't be allowed out of their country (which we've seen time and time again is nonsense, including the allegations of a hit being put out on Michkov's dad).

You don't see the same stigma with American College prospects despite the fact that they're significantly more likely to use their FA status after 4 years as leverage to force their way to a different team. You didn't see rumours swirling around Michael Hage's dad when he passed in a similar way to Michkov's.

Intentional or not, Russian prospects are treated with a lot more scrutiny, hesitancy, and bias than North American or Western European prospects are.

Yeah, but what are we talking about here?
You were talking about russiophobia, what you are describing there ain't it at all.

And still, there's a Bunch of Russian prospects out there, we have some ourselves, aside of DemiGOD

 

[Bouboumaster]

Talk about a complete swing and a miss lmao

?

 

[koivalev]

Yeah, but what are we talking about here?
You were talking about russiophobia, what you are describing There ain't it at all.
And still, there's a Bunch of Russian prospects out there, we have some ourselves, aside of DemiGOD

We're talking about the tendency of Russian prospects to get overlooked or underdrafted despite being less of a risk than American collegiate players who are typically drafted in accordance with their value.

 

[Siludin]

Dont worry, Kudryavstev is ready to continue this legacy.

 

[Bouboumaster]

We're talking about the tendency of Russian prospects to get overlooked or underdrafted despite being less of a risk than American collegiate players who are typically drafted in accordance with their value.

To be fair, some f***eries happen from time to time
Demidov, for exemple, was bullied by Rottenberg, who wanted Demidov to sign a new contract with his team
At the end of the Day, it didn't happened and Demidov is with us, but this type of stories are unheard with north american prospect

It's not russophobia, but bureaucracy/legal headaches I feel like

 

[Kshahdoo]

Why the f*** people are talking about political shit in the thread?

 

[Fantomas]

Canada is without a doubt one of the most accepting country on Earth regarding multiculturalism

Myth. Melting pot culture isn't inclusive culture.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

I think it might be easier for a Russian or US College player to slip

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Kaprizov was about as good as Demidov in pre-draft years, but was picked in the 5th round, while Demidov was picked 5OA, and it looks like Montreal was really lucky to get him that late.

There are so much more scouting tools nowadays that it's really hard to overlook a kid with exceptional hockey talent. But hard doesn't mean impossible. Or does?

Of course it is? Players develop later sometimes.
There are always late round gems.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Why the f*** people are talking about political shit in the thread?

Not political. Pronman has stated in the last couple years that as many as a third to half the league have to get permission from their owners to draft Russians

 

[Jumptheshark]

Yes. It is about development of raw talent

 

[Bouboumaster]

Myth. Melting pot culture isn't inclusive culture.

No. It works in most places in Canada

 

[Aleena]

It's a way to protest their dictator and it's actions, but it's not against russians per say
Bruh, Demidov didn't Play a single freaking game in Montréal in the regular Season and he's already a superstar here

Habs fans were really weird about it, they came up with a disgustingly xenophobic chant for Demidov calling Russia a gulag (which was upvoted in their sub), the intent of which still eludes me. I sincerely doubt Demidov would love to hear that, so... why? Because mass murder = funny?

p.s. There are also weirdos in their sub insisting Michkov's father was killed because he wanted his son to leave for the NHL, which is just...

 

[Fantomas]

No. It works in most places in Canada

It works for who. Have you ever met a second generation immigrant in Canada

 

[FissionFire]

Better question is will we ever see a team draft late round superstars in back-to-back drafts like Detroit ever again. The chances of it happening once as nearly impossible and I can’t see it ever happening again.