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Prospect Info: LW Viktor Neuchev -- Taken 74th overall in 2022

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Fjordy said:
People underestimate Russia's prospects, and the reasons don't matter.
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In fairness, it does seem like he has a lot to work on to be able to be effective against men (skating, using teammates, maybe making plays quicker). But yea, seems like he at least should have went in the 2nd round after considering all factors. The raw skill looks massive.
 
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Fjordy said:
People underestimate Russia's prospects, and the reasons don't matter.
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I'm not sure underestimate is the right take. Skeptical of them coming over. Skeptical that they can develop their north american game in Russia. Some of my all-time favorite NHLers are Russian.

All 18 year olds are raw material. Transfer agreements, geopolitics, huge varaitions in development programs, a lack of scouting. That just means you take the sure bet in the early rounds, and these later round picks (if you can call 3rd round late) are swinging for the fences.
 
Great puck skills, really sad the Sharks didn’t grab him somewhere. Think he will be a good one eventually
 
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old kummelweck said:
I'm not sure underestimate is the right take. Skeptical of them coming over. Skeptical that they can develop their north american game in Russia. Some of my all-time favorite NHLers are Russian.

All 18 year olds are raw material. Transfer agreements, geopolitics, huge varaitions in development programs, a lack of scouting. That just means you take the sure bet in the early rounds, and these later round picks (if you can call 3rd round late) are swinging for the fences.
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Why not? Even in Russia, there are already many places where they play on small ice and there is a good development of players, as there are three leagues in KHL, VHL and MHL. I'm not even sure if SHL and Liiga play in small ice?
 
He's very skilled, but a highlight reel is only a highlight reel. Maybe other teams found some other aspect they didn't love. Doesn't look like he's the fastest straight-line skater, and I would assume for all the slick moves, there are some failed attempts that teams might not be happy about. But in the 3rd round, no prospect will be perfect and I'd rather have the most skilled of the bunch
 
jc17 said:
He's very skilled, but a highlight reel is only a highlight reel. Maybe other teams found some other aspect they didn't love. Doesn't look like he's the fastest straight-line skater, and I would assume for all the slick moves, there are some failed attempts that teams might not be happy about. But in the 3rd round, no prospect will be perfect and I'd rather have the most skilled of the bunch
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Well, I already said about the situation with the Russians. Yurov gone at the end of the first, although he is a top 10 talent. Trikozov also went far. This may be a common underestimation of the Russians, there were players in rounds 4-6 who definitely should have left much earlier, but only because they are Russians they gone late.
 
jc17 said:
He's very skilled, but a highlight reel is only a highlight reel. Maybe other teams found some other aspect they didn't love. Doesn't look like he's the fastest straight-line skater, and I would assume for all the slick moves, there are some failed attempts that teams might not be happy about. But in the 3rd round, no prospect will be perfect and I'd rather have the most skilled of the bunch
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The speed seems to be the limiting factor. Making fancy handles to make people miss becomes less effective if one can't gain separation afterward, per the folks who had that as a concern. Still, if he can get some burst, it should be fun.
 
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It’s odd that the Sabres had a first round grade on him and didn’t draft him until the third….

You’d think midway through the second they’d be rushing to trade up. Doesn’t really add up
 
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Chainshot said:
The speed seems to be the limiting factor. Making fancy handles to make people miss becomes less effective if one can't gain separation afterward, per the folks who had that as a concern. Still, if he can get some burst, it should be fun.
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If he finds wheels he could be Max incarnate, seeing some of those moves

Dirty Dog said:
It’s odd that the Sabres had a first round grade on him and didn’t draft him until the third….

You’d think midway through the second they’d be rushing to trade up. Doesn’t really add up
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I think they mentioned they were wary of the Russian situation and decided they would only jump if a guy really fell, so I don't think they wanted to sacrifice an asset if they were that nervious to begin with.
 
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jc17 said:
If he finds wheels he could be Max incarnate, seeing some of those moves


I think they mentioned they were wary of the Russian situation and decided they would only jump if a guy really fell, so I don't think they wanted to sacrifice an asset if they were that nervious to begin with.
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Yea that makes sense. I was going to add the only explanation is the Russian factor truly is a huge red flag. Which I guess it was!
 
Dirty Dog said:
Yea that makes sense. I was going to add the only explanation is the Russian factor truly is a huge red flag. Which I guess it was!
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That one I don’t know if I buy. A 3rd is still a heavy price for the possibility that they can’t come over. Lots of options still available. They liked him no doubt, but if there was a question of availability, I would think that would move him down even further.
 
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starkravingsabres said:
I'd call him a puck hog, but when he scores 40 and the next highest guy has 20, he gets a pass. (But his teammates don't!)
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That’s what I mean. He might have to learn to use teammates better but in his current situation I get it
 
Woodhouse said:
Per Avto's press release on the selection: "Note that at the moment Neuch is in Reftinsky, where he is preparing for a new season as part of the Gornyak-UMK team." The VHL preseason schedule for Gornyak-UMMK begins July 26th.
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To follow up, Neuchev spotted in a July 9th photo gallery... Gornyak-UGMK is preparing for a new season in Reftinsky:

848_0063.jpg
 
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His shot is so good he scored at Sabres camp today from there.

It was on Leinonen…but still.
 
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