Player Discussion Marat Khusnutdinov

[Obvious Fabertism]

Will they give this dude a whirl in the top 6 ever?

Not until he shows more offensive chops or injuries pile up. Hartman is ahead of him if one of Rossi or JEE are out. Marat looks really solid though, his defensive play is very good even despite his size, I love his puck control and shiftiness in the transition game. Clever player, good effort level, and probably the fastest skater on the team, but no shot strength to speak of and it neuters his potential as a threat.

 

[MNRube]

My only complaint is that he hasn’t utilized his speed to carry the puck. He’s genuinely explosive but seems hesitant to use it. I like that he’s conscientious defensively but am excited for when he becomes more aggressive.

He’s also failing to connect on a lot of passes, usually only by a small margin. I expect that also will get cleaned up as he adjusts to the league. I like his chances to be a long term fixture on the 3rd line. Or maybe he becomes an elite 4C. I’ve really enjoyed watching him so far

 

[charger66]

Marat needs a chance in the top six. The End

Give players opportunities where their skill projects. They can earn their spot later. Opportunities on lines that are below their skill set are useless

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Marat needs a chance in the top six. The End

Give players opportunities where their skill projects. They can earn their spot later. Opportunities on lines that are below their skill set are useless

He's been a defensive specialist prospect since the beginning. He wasn't a scorer in the WJCs or in the MHL or KHL, what skill set do you think he has that is better than a depth contributor? He isn't better than Rossi or JEE at really anything but skating speed, so top 6 makes little sense unless you want to take him out of his natural position in his rookie season. He is still very young and has room to develop, be more patient.

 

[AKL]

Marat needs a chance in the top six. The End

Give players opportunities where their skill projects. They can earn their spot later. Opportunities on lines that are below their skill set are useless

I don't think the bottom six is below his skill set. He has a lot of good tools right now, but he doesn't look like he's really putting them together in the offensive zone to create scoring chances. He'll have some here and there, don't get me wrong. The one last game where he cut in front of the net and it probably would have gone in if anyone but Trenin was following it was great, but those types of things are few and far between to put him with guys like Kaprizov or Boldy at this time.

Think there'd need to be several injuries to Ek, Rossi, Hartman before Khusnutdinov gets that chance. To put Khusnutdinov over any of those guys would be to play them below their actual skill set right now.

 

[DANOZ28]

i agree w/57 once marat starts scoring then consider giving him a top 6 chance / tryout.

 

[MNRube]

He's been a defensive specialist prospect since the beginning. He wasn't a scorer in the WJCs or in the MHL or KHL, what skill set do you think he has that is better than a depth contributor? He isn't better than Rossi or JEE at really anything but skating speed, so top 6 makes little sense unless you want to take him out of his natural position in his rookie season. He is still very young and has room to develop, be more patient.

He did have that one big year in the KHL with 40+ points. But I’m pretty sure he was on a line with Gusev or someone. But I agree that he’s not shown enough offensively to date to merit a look in the Top 6. Maybe as 2LW because Mojo has been trash

 

[fgobuzz]

I've loved him so far this season. Hopefully tomorrow he and Lauko get Milne on their line because Trenin has been trash in every aspect of the game.

 

[north21]

I've loved him so far this season. Hopefully tomorrow he and Lauko get Milne on their line because Trenin has been trash in every aspect of the game.

Throw marjo on their line, slot someone else w ek and boldy.

 

[57special]

I think Marat will be a 3C in the not too distant future.

 

[BagHead]

I think Marat will be a 3C in the not too distant future.

Interesting thing to say as Freddy is in the midst of a hot streak. Why do you think so? And when do you think it'll happen if you're in a guessing mood?

 

[north21]

Interesting thing to say as Freddy is in the midst of a hot streak. Why do you think so? And when do you think it'll happen if you're in a guessing mood?

With feddy looking better and hopefully rossi keeping his game at a high level you kind of have to love our center depth plus you have Hartman there as a quality backup. Might even allow us to ease yurov into the nhl on the wing and see how much offense we can squeeze out of him.

 

[57special]

Interesting thing to say as Freddy is in the midst of a hot streak. Why do you think so? And when do you think it'll happen if you're in a guessing mood?

2 years. Freddy's play improving over the past 5-6 games is nice, but I am not ready to pencil him in as our 3C for the next 4 years. Hartman is a Swiss Army knife... you stick him in wherever he is needed.

Marat has well above average NHL speed, is reasonably smart, and while not large, is strong enough. Some skill. I like using all that speed as a C- if he had more offensive skill i would put him at wing, but he doesn't, so... I can see Yurov and Heidt starting out as wings, if not ending up there permanently. Should these two scream Center 2 years from now, as well as Marat, and maybe Bankier, or someone like that, then that is the very definition of a good problem.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

I've liked his game quite a bit, especially the last two weeks or so. I think Trenin/Freddy don't work with him and Lauko. As someone else mentioned, someone like a Milne likely fits in quite well there. Can keep up with those two and is always moving.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

I just think there’s zero offense in is game

 

[57special]

I just think there’s zero offense in is game

He has tried to set up Trenin numerous times, but Hands Of Stone turns him down every time.

 

[fgobuzz]

I love Marat with Lauko so far and I think, if Marat starts shooting instead of trying to be a facilitator, both he and Lauko's points will show up. Trenin's been horrible in every aspect of the game so far. Marat's shit doesn't look like it'll beat many goalies clean but it should produce rebounds if he keeps them low and I think he and Lauko will feast (as 4th liners). Love their speed!

*shit not sh1t... Damn autocorrect. Ha!

 

[thestonedkoala]

Trenin has two goals now. Khus and Merrill are both goaless.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

He’s a nothing player with the puck on his stick. There’s no offense there.

I’m not even sure he’s as good as dewar. With dewar at least there was a shot threat.

 

[57special]

I like Marat. He's stronger on his skates than Dewar, faster by a bit, and wins puck battles. Dewar had a better shot, and would drop the gloves as a lightweight. It's too soon to judge his offense. That speed of his opens up opportunities when he is one the ice. He is oan obvious NHL'er, IMO.

 

[thestonedkoala]

I like Marat. He's stronger on his skates than Dewar, faster by a bit, and wins puck battles. Dewar had a better shot, and would drop the gloves as a lightweight. It's too soon to judge his offense. That speed of his opens up opportunities when he is one the ice. He is oan obvious NHL'er, IMO.

Does he just have terrible linemates or what?

 

[charger66]

Lauko needs to be with Khuz. Hartman is fast enough to keep up. Lauko and Khuz with anyone slow is as useless as tits on a boar. Ohgren would work with them possibly too. Keep Frederick between tronion and Moose. Rossi and Ek top 2 centers. (When healthy)

 

[charger66]

Khuz should also be tried in the top two center slots. I believe we'd all be surprised. The guys with projected skill need to be tried in skill roles. Same goes for Ohgren.

 

[57special]

Does he just have terrible linemates or what?

Well, he is now playing with older, proven AHL'ers, since injury has taken Lauko, and Trenin/Gaudreau/Hartman/Foligno from him. Marat by no means deserves to be moved up in the lineup, but all the players mentioned are a step up from Shore, Jones, and the like. As soon as Zucc, Lauko, and JEE are back in the lineup he will be playing with better players. Even now, Hynes will stick Kap out there with him now and again.

 

[P10p]

He tends to lose the handle when stickhandling or misfire on shots pretty consistently. I feel like he will get better as he gets older and stronger.