LW/RW Nikita Chibrikov (2021, 50th, WPG)

[MardyBum]

NHL debut tonight!

 

[FlappyGiraffe]

Just scored his first NHL goal in his first game!

 

[MardyBum]

 

[Whileee]

Nice game by Chibrikov. He plays an aggressive game and has really good skills.

 

[Caser]

 

[Hanji]

Caser, how would you compare Chibrikov to Buchelnikov. Both are 2003 skilled wingers. Who has the higher skillset?

 

[Caser]

Caser, how would you compare Chibrikov to Buchelnikov. Both are 2003 skilled wingers. Who has the higher skillset?

I'd say Chibrikov, but it is close and Buchelnikov might still have some more room for growth. In terms of pure puck skills I'd say it is definitely Chibrikov, but Buchelnikov has a better shot. Also Chibrikov is more naturally athletic despite the similar size, but Buchelnikov can still minimize the gap here.

 

[Flynn84]

Recalled to the NHL, it's highly unlikely that he'll stay for long, right?

 

[Flynn84]

Goal and assist

 

[Kshahdoo]

Not surprised at all that he's doing fine.

 

[Caser]

 

[Bender Duster]

It was a tough game for the Bruins but Chibrikov played great. He definitely doesn't back down out there and shows that he has offensive touch. Guy is an NHLer for sure.

 

[BoneDocUK]

.... and another goal.

3 NHL games, 3 goals (so far).

Smart player with great hands and improving release who plays a pesky game and seems unafraid of anywhere and anyone (so far). He's a lot of fun to watch.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

Guy has been blocking shots and taking hits fearlessly, too. It's going to be very difficult to send him down.

 

[Finnflash]

He is a gamer

 

[Szechwan]

What kind of ceiling does this guy have?

 

[The Colonel]

What kind of ceiling does this guy have?

It’s interesting because when he was drafted the Russian fear factor was very high- he had initially been projected as a definite first rounder but he fell to 50.

He’s one of those 5’10 guys who has all the assets, especially hockey sense, and if he was say 6’1 he’d have been hard to keep out of the top 10.

I’d say his ceiling might be a versatile and spirited 70-80 point player.

 

[Kshahdoo]

First ever in Atlanta/Winnipeg history to start his career with goals in every first three games.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I’d say his ceiling might be a versatile and spirited 70-80 point player.

You say ceiling and one can always hope for the best but realistically, he is a 0,67 PPG career player in the AHL (where he arrived after 3 pro seasons in Russia) and is about to turn 22. It's completely unreasonable to expect him to become PPG producer at the NHL level.

I think he has what it takes to be a middle-six forward which I see as a great achievement as is considering his modest size. Something Eeli Tolvanen-like.

I also fail to see how Russian factor was any higher than usual in 2021 with 29 Russian players picked which, as far as I can recall, was either the highest amount ever or very close to that. Seems more like a narrative you wish to be true to explain Chibrikov's slide.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

You say ceiling and one can always hope for the best but realistically, he is a 0,67 PPG career player in the AHL (where he arrived after 3 pro seasons in Russia) and is about to turn 22. It's completely unreasonable to expect him to become PPG producer at the NHL level.

I think he has what it takes to be a middle-six forward which I see as a great achievement as is considering his modest size. Something Eeli Tolvanen-like.

I also fail to see how Russian factor was any higher than usual in 2021 with 29 Russian players picked which, as far as I can recall, was either the highest amount ever or very close to that. Seems more like a narrative you wish to be true to explain Chibrikov's slide.

His ceiling is very unlikely to happen. Also, there have been players like Verhaeghe that ended up outproducing in the NHL than in even the OHL.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Also, there have been players like Verhaeghe that ended up outproducing in the NHL than in even the OHL.

Yes, there are all kinds of precedents. But that's what I mean by "unreasonable expectations". You can't expect everyone to be Verhaeghes and Nichushkins just because those guys exist. Most players are projectable, especially in their 5th pro season.

 

[Bender Duster]

You say ceiling and one can always hope for the best but realistically, he is a 0,67 PPG career player in the AHL (where he arrived after 3 pro seasons in Russia) and is about to turn 22. It's completely unreasonable to expect him to become PPG producer at the NHL level.

I think he has what it takes to be a middle-six forward which I see as a great achievement as is considering his modest size. Something Eeli Tolvanen-like.

I also fail to see how Russian factor was any higher than usual in 2021 with 29 Russian players picked which, as far as I can recall, was either the highest amount ever or very close to that. Seems more like a narrative you wish to be true to explain Chibrikov's slide.

I'm not going to speculate on what his ceiling can be, but just a note that we shouldn't use his AHL production as any measuring stick of it.

The Moose are an absolute tire fire this year and weren't much better last year. The only skill guys he had to play with in the AHL were Lambert and Heinola (for the second half of last season). There are no scoring AHL vets on the team at all and sometimes skill guys need skill guys to play with to show their full potential.

That said...I do expect his goal per game pace in the NHL to 'regress' somewhat.

 

[Whileee]

Stylistically, I could see Chibrikov developing into a player like Yanni Gourde or Ondrej Palat. He's short and stocky, and relies on skills and creativity more than pure speed. He plays aggressively along the boards and in the "inside" areas without shying away from physical contact. He is a good finisher and creative with the puck.

 

[Boonk]

He actually reminds me of Nino but with slightly more scoring ability. The guy is a dog on the puck, boards or middle ice and has the finesse to make sneaky good plays. I fully believe he takes Appletons spot in the top 9 next year if not sooner. If he keeps it up he should not go back to the Moose what so ever.