Seems to be a reason he is still in Russia and not in New Jersey/Utica. While Lou Lamoriello was a key figure in bringing the first wave of players from the then-Soviet Union to the NHL, the current regime seems less willing to do so.
He is in Russia because he can be in Russia, its better for his development to play in Russia and he signed two year deal with SKA.Seems to be a reason he is still in Russia and not in New Jersey/Utica. While Lou Lamoriello was a key figure in bringing the first wave of players from the then-Soviet Union to the NHL, the current regime seems less willing to do so.
Is there a question here? do you seriously not understand why?Didn't mean to take this from a discussion of Gritsyuk to an assessment of the defense corps (and the person who posts the majority of posts about the Comets tends to view everything about the team in an extremely pessimistic way to my view).
But getting back to my original thread - during the Stanley Cup years and even when the Devils made the run to the Finals in 2013, there were half a dozen former KHL players who played key roles.
That is no longer the case.
Didn't mean to take this from a discussion of Gritsyuk to an assessment of the defense corps (and the person who posts the majority of posts about the Comets tends to view everything about the team in an extremely pessimistic way to my view).
But getting back to my original thread - during the Stanley Cup years and even when the Devils made the run to the Finals in 2013, there were half a dozen former KHL players who played key roles.
That is no longer the case.
His first NHL year will be his 25/26 year old season. He'll be expected to produce like he's in the prime of his career - hopefully he can handle the pressure.
It was 2012 and while there were 5 USSR-born players (if want to count Zubrus here), there was only one who was drafted by and brought over by Lou (Zharkov). The other 4 were from trades.
1995 Cup team: 2 (Brylin, Zelepukin), 2 drafted by NJD.
2000 Cup team: 4 (Brylin, Mogilny, Nemchimov, Malakhov), 1 drafted by NJD.
2003 Cup team: 2 (Brylin, Tverdovsky), 1 drafted by NJD.
The 37 Russian players the Devils drafted are listed below. 14 played in the NHL, 12 for the Devils.
After 1992, the Lou-era Devils’ success, and arguably scouting, with Russian draft picks declined. The players Lou did bring over after 1992 were drafted in the first three rounds.
He straight up stopped drafting Russians after 2006, but so did a number of other NHL teams from roughly 2007 to 2012.
Three post-Lou players were drafted, played in NJ and then were traded away.
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Not counting the three players taken in 2021 and 2022 since it is still too early to determine their futures, the Devils selected eight Russian-trained players since 2017.
Exactly two, Misyul and Gritsyuk, are still in the organization. And both have yet to play a game with the Devils.
Coincidence? Or political correctness?
Apparently Devils' hockey isn't for everyone.
Hey kudos to you for recognizing your absurd takes didn’t belong on the Devils board. This is a much more appropriate arena for you.Not counting the three players taken in 2021 and 2022 since it is still too early to determine their futures, the Devils selected eight Russian-trained players since 2017.
Exactly two, Misyul and Gritsyuk, are still in the organization. And both have yet to play a game with the Devils.
Coincidence? Or political correctness?
Apparently Devils' hockey isn't for everyone.
Its the Devils fault though! the USSR falling and the various leagues in the 90s and early 2000s not offering good money compared to the NHL has nothing to do with it.Hey kudos to you for recognizing your absurd takes didn’t belong on the Devils board. This is a much more appropriate arena for you.
Is this post from two years ago?Devils probably couldn't guarantee Gritsyuk an NHL spot, and he doesn't want to make peanuts in A going on bus rides to Hartford CT, Allentown PA, Wilkes Barre PA, etc, so he stays in the K making more money in his home country; familiar culture & language. Just my $0.02
Yep! three Points! Definitely Definitely the best forward on the ice.He was really great today
Holy f*** almost another highlight reel goal for Gritsyuk. It was very similar to the other one but an even better rush