LW/RW Kirill Kaprizov - CSKA Moscow, KHL (2015, 135th, MIN)

[Atas2000]

Kuznetsov currently holds the KHL U-20 scoring record with 41 pts in 49 games. Kaprizov currently has 34 pts in 38 games. He only needs 8 more points in 11 games to overtake him. His numbers will also eclipse both Tarasenko and Panarin.

Bragin on Kaprizov:

"-We talked with him for about 3 hours. He is a very adeqate guy with big ambitions. He understands everything very well. I think... no, no Crosby, but Kaprizov! Next to Crosby, that's what he is going to be.

-Compare him to Tarasento 2011.

-He is more impressive"

https://www.sports.ru/hockey/1047245560.html

Just speculating, but is it possible that he was missed by so many scouts due to where is he is from? I just looked up his home town - Novokuznetsk - which is in eastern Siberia, just a few hundred miles northwest of the Mongolian border. Is there a heavy scouting presence way out in that area?

Novokuznetsk is one of the best hockey schools in Russia. If NA scouts are sleeping on it(and they basically do on most russsian players) it's their big fault. Novokuznetsk recently produced Bobrovsky, Sorokin, Orlov and now Kaprizov.

By the look at the NHL draft most NHL organizations basically don't have ANY proper scouting in Russia. They make crapshot picks in later rounds on mostly big bodies that will never break out and leave out really promising guys.

 

[MuckOG]

Novokuznetsk is one of the best hockey schools in Russia. If NA scouts are sleeping on it(and they basically do on most russsian players) it's their big fault. Novokuznetsk recently produced Bobrovsky, Sorokin, Orlov and now Kaprizov.

By the look at the NHL draft most NHL organizations basically don't have ANY proper scouting in Russia. They make crapshot picks in later rounds on mostly big bodies that will never break out and leave out really promising guys.

Good info. Thanks.

 

[57special]

I like that most of the other recent draftees by the Wild have decent size to them. Imagine a line of Ek, Kaprizov, and especially Greenway? Don't see Kaprizov getting bullied much with Greenway around. And it's not like Ek is small. Didn't I read that his father is a weightlifting coach?

 

[MaxV]

By the look at the NHL draft most NHL organizations basically don't have ANY proper scouting in Russia. They make crapshot picks in later rounds on mostly big bodies that will never break out and leave out really promising guys.

Russian prospects development is often times non-linear. There are a lot of examples of prospects that peaked early then stalled and those that are late bloomers. We have seen several examples recently of even triple overagers being drafted and there is a very good chance of that happening in this draft also with guys like Svetlakov, Vovchenko, Kuzmenko and Lyamkin.

 

[guitarhunterdude]

Bragin on Kaprizov:

"-We talked with him for about 3 hours. He is a very adeqate guy with big ambitions. He understands everything very well. I think... no, no Crosby, but Kaprizov! Next to Crosby, that's what he is going to be.

-Compare him to Tarasento 2011.

-He is more impressive"

Gotta love coach-speak. Way to pump up his tires, Valeri.

 

[Acallabeth]

Just speculating, but is it possible that he was missed by so many scouts due to where is he is from? I just looked up his home town - Novokuznetsk - which is in eastern Siberia, just a few hundred miles northwest of the Mongolian border. Is there a heavy scouting presence way out in that area?

It's reeeaally not that dramatic

Novokuznetsk is one of the best hockey schools in Russia. If NA scouts are sleeping on it(and they basically do on most russsian players) it's their big fault. Novokuznetsk recently produced Bobrovsky, Sorokin, Orlov and now Kaprizov.

By the look at the NHL draft most NHL organizations basically don't have ANY proper scouting in Russia. They make crapshot picks in later rounds on mostly big bodies that will never break out and leave out really promising guys.

Well, to be fair, when the scouts see a smallish playmaking winger who isn't super fast or doesnt't have a bomb of a shot, they need to dedicate a serious amount of diligent watch to make a conclusion that he has a high IQ.

Funny to see that Kaprizov is sort of a reversed Yakupov in most ways. Nail was a shiny explosive prospect with a cannon and physicality who made a move to the CHL, people ignored the fact he had limited hockey sense, and he has barely made any progress since 16. Kaprizov was relatively unknown, didn't show a lot of standout talents at first, polished them quietly in the KHL and is rapidly developing. Let's hope his NHL career is more successsful too.

 

[Zine]

Reading this thread you'd think Novokuznetsk is on the moon.

But lack of scouting has nothing to do with individual cities. For obvious reason NHL teams choose not to spend a lot of resources scouting Russia. It appears that NHL teams are content to just scout Russian national teams, or maybe some regional tournaments.

 

[Atas2000]

Gotta love coach-speak. Way to pump up his tires, Valeri.

7gp 4g 7a 11pts

vs.

7gp 9g 3a 12pts

coach-speak?

 

[snipes]

With Kaprizov signed through until 2018, is he even able to come over next season? I don't believe any transfer agreements exist the last time I checked? (if that's incorrect, please correct me).

I guess the Wild could always buy out his contract or compensate his KHL team?

Kid is a phenomenal talent and a joy to watch as a hockey fan. Hopefully he's in the NHL soon.

 

[Kshahdoo]

With Kaprizov signed through until 2018, is he even able to come over next season? I don't believe any transfer agreements exist the last time I checked? (if that's incorrect, please correct me).

I guess the Wild could always buy out his contract or compensate his KHL team?

Kid is a phenomenal talent and a joy to watch as a hockey fan. Hopefully he's in the NHL soon.

Isn't it illegal by NHL rules?

 

[snipes]

Isn't it illegal by NHL rules?

I'm not entirely sure that's why I'm asking, it's kind of a strange situation with no transfer agreements in place.

 

[guitarhunterdude]

7gp 4g 7a 11pts

vs.

7gp 9g 3a 12pts

coach-speak?

Was talking moreso about the Crosby comparison.

Even so, Tarasenko was always a waaaaaaaay better prospect. Way faster, stronger, better shot, probably better vision. Just plain better. Just watch some of his highlights from back then, he did thing Kaprizov will never be able to, simply because of his physical traits.

That's not a knock on Kaprizov, by any stretch.

 

[Fantomas]

And yet Kaprizov was superior Tarasenko in this year's WJC. And he did it with way less talent surrounding him.

 

[rynryn]

And yet Kaprizov was superior Tarasenko in this year's WJC. And he did it with way less talent surrounding him.

maybe vs worse talent? devils advocate.

 

[MaxV]

Also regarding his tools, I actually think they are underrated.

He is thought of being undersized because of his height, but he is close to 200lbs and seems to have very good balance on his skates (goal vs Swedes). Low center of gravity can actually be an advantage.

He doesn't have great speed, but he is by no means slow. Plus he is pretty shifty.

His shot... I don't know, it looked pretty impressive to me.

 

[keppel146]

Also regarding his tools, I actually think they are underrated.

He is thought of being undersized because of his height, but he is close to 200lbs and seems to have very good balance on his skates (goal vs Swedes). Low center of gravity can actually be an advantage.

He doesn't have great speed, but he is by no means slow. Plus he is pretty shifty.

His shot... I don't know, it looked pretty impressive to me.

His shot looked incredibly accurate at the WJC

 

[57special]

One thing I like about his game is the way he is shifty. He is not like a Barzal, who holds onto the puck forever and dazzles with the amount of moves he has. Just a quick one or two moves to get in a better passing or shooting position, then the puck is gone. You don't even really notice them until you see the slo-mo.

I think what he does in that respect will transfer better to the NHL than what Barzal( and to a lesser extent, Keller and Jost) do. All the defenders in the NHL are bigger, faster, and better than in the lower leagues. There isn't time or space for fancy puck tricks, for the most part. Get the puck, move the puck...Kaprizov is good at that.

 

[Bruce Granville]

The new Makarov? I'm fine with that...

 

[DANOZ28]

poster bazeek said kirill got an A today in a losing effort that brings his season total to 35 points! 41 would be so much fun!

 

[Kshahdoo]

maybe vs worse talent? devils advocate.

Kaprizov's hands are very quick. He gets the puck and shoots almost immediately. Tarasenko's release is very quick, but he usually keeps the puck for awhile. That's why Tarasenko is dangerous from a distance and Kaprizov is dangerous near the goals. Of course, Kirill can score from a distance as well.

 

[57special]

Kaprizov's hands are very quick. He gets the puck and shoots almost immediately. Tarasenko's release is very quick, but he usually keeps the puck for awhile. That's why Tarasenko is dangerous from a distance and Kaprizov is dangerous near the goals. Of course, Kirill can score from a distance as well.

Kunin has some similarities to Kaprizov. It didn't show in the WJC's, where he was asked to play more of a two way game (plus, i thought he was a snakebit), but he has a killer shot/release, and is also one of those guys that has that ability to be in the right place at the right time, especially around the net.

Neither will blow you away with speed, which is a bit worrying, but they seem to get where they want to go.

 

[guitarhunterdude]

And yet Kaprizov was superior Tarasenko in this year's WJC. And he did it with way less talent surrounding him.

Mikael Granlund looked like Saku Koivu reincarnate when he was in the world juniors. I think there's a lot of Granlund in Kaprizov in that he lacks the standout physical traits to be a real force in the NHL.

Fortunately, speed is more important than size, and I think he can improve that, though he'll never be as fast as most of the NHL's really dynamic players are. Has a real shot at being a good top-six winger, just probably not a superstar like Tarasenko. If he does, he'll be more like an undersized Thomas Vanek (who he reminded me of stylistically at the WJC).

 

[thrillhous]

One thing I like about his game is the way he is shifty. He is not like a Barzal, who holds onto the puck forever and dazzles with the amount of moves he has. Just a quick one or two moves to get in a better passing or shooting position, then the puck is gone. You don't even really notice them until you see the slo-mo.

I agree. Reminds me of the way Kucherov plays.

 

[Fantomas]

Mikael Granlund looked like Saku Koivu reincarnate when he was in the world juniors. I think there's a lot of Granlund in Kaprizov in that he lacks the standout physical traits to be a real force in the NHL.

Fortunately, speed is more important than size, and I think he can improve that, though he'll never be as fast as most of the NHL's really dynamic players are. Has a real shot at being a good top-six winger, just probably not a superstar like Tarasenko. If he does, he'll be more like an undersized Thomas Vanek (who he reminded me of stylistically at the WJC).

You say this with such certainty. Your Granlund comparison is far from ironclad.

Granlund had a very different history, which included significant injuries. He also had problems with passivity and lacked finishing skills. I don't think he is all that similar to Kaprizov.

I think Kaprizov has precisely the traits to be a star in the NHL, particularly his hockey sense, along with his underrated quickness and excellent shot. Furthermore he is strong and stocky and already better equipped for the rigors of the NHL than was someone like Johnny Gaudreau.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Mikael Granlund looked like Saku Koivu reincarnate when he was in the world juniors. I think there's a lot of Granlund in Kaprizov in that he lacks the standout physical traits to be a real force in the NHL.

Fortunately, speed is more important than size, and I think he can improve that, though he'll never be as fast as most of the NHL's really dynamic players are. Has a real shot at being a good top-six winger, just probably not a superstar like Tarasenko. If he does, he'll be more like an undersized Thomas Vanek (who he reminded me of stylistically at the WJC).

Doesn't Granlund lack a good shot like at all?