Russia's center depth over the years and when it's gone bad

[Flynn84]

PPG in the NHL season is not the ideal metric, but at least something. So you could compare with wingers. Sorry, I didn't have a premium for EP, so there are could be guys with a couple of games in the season. Take a look at Chibrikov lol
Ispired by the discussion in the Matvey Michkov's thread. Didn't want to flood there.
Not sure if "International Tournaments" section is the best place to discuss this or it is better suited for the "NHL" section

I think in USSR wingers also usually were deeper than the centers and more valuable. I know some stuff and all of the big names, but did not dig super deep.

Soviet player at world championships


Russians in the NHL

94-95


99-00


05-06


09-10


14-15


19-20


24-25

Click to read more...

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Speaking of their Center depth, 38 year old Malkin is their projected 1st line center in a hypothetical Russian NT 2025 Four Nations team:

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-malkin-could-have-been-top-center-on-hypothetical-russian-4-nations-face-off-team#:~:text=From%204%20Nations%3F-,Penguins%20Malkin%20Could%20Have%20Been%20Top%20Center%20On%20Hypothetical%20Russian,of%20the%20team's%20top%20centers.

Good for Malkin to still be so highly regarded at age 38, but maybe not so good for Russia in the big picture that their C depth is lacking.