RW Andrei Svechnikov (2018, 2nd, CAR) II

[Canes]

I guess they're just gradually trying to ease him into the lineup. If he keeps playing like he is. he'll get moved up.

He's probably not going to force Teuvo off of Aho's RW and Brindy doesn't want to use him on Staal's line, which is the shutdown line, as a rookie. He might eventually play on Necas' wing but I imagine Brindy doesn't want to use two teenagers on the same line right away.

 

[The Burdened]

He may only get a few minutes for now, but every time he's on the ice and touches the puck you notice it and there is a sense something special could happen.
He's gonna be a gamebreaker.

 

[Ippenator]

He may only get a few minutes for now, but every time he's on the ice and touches the puck you notice it and there is a sense something special could happen.
He's gonna be a gamebreaker.

I agree with all this. But at the same time he is still a very young kid, and it is most likely for his own benefit that he is quite carefully sheltered at the moment. He should get a bit easier competition and get gradually accustomed to the NHL play.

I understand that it might be painful for some Svech-fans to watch him play in the 4th line, but honestly I don’t see Rod doing anything wrong at the moment, especially as he has given quite a fair share of minutes to all of his lines.

I have in general a good feeling about Rod as the coach. A good motivator, whom seems to be a fair coach after all. Of course a bit early to say all this, but this is anyway what my opinion is about him so far.

 

[DoubleGold]

He's a special player. It's better to give him time. Chill.

 

[kp61c]

i trust them. they will make a great fourth line grinder out of him

 

[hellstick]

I watched parts of the game last night. Svechnikov had a nice play for his first point in the NHL, but you can tell how tentative he is. It looks like he's definitely figuring out this league. Still, when he gets the puck on his stick, you can tell he has elite skill just waiting to be unleashed.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I like what Brind’Amour is doing with him, putting the responsibility of winning games on the shoulders of the veteran players and letting Svechnikov figure out his game in limited soft minutes.

It won’t last long, maybe till the end of this season at the most. But this soft start will hopefully keep him from hitting that rookie wall when all the pressure and fatigue start to add up. I think RBA’s doing the right thing by Svechnikov for the big picture of his career.

 

[wings5]

I think people forget, didn't Malkin debut at 19/20 in the NHL and Ovechkin at 20 yo? Svechnikov is still very young and it's very untypical for Russians to debut in the NHL as young as he is.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think people forget, didn't Malkin debut at 19/20 in the NHL and Ovechkin at 20 yo? Svechnikov is still very young and it's very untypical for Russians to debut in the NHL as young as he is.

To be fair, both of them were 2004 picks and the lockout prevented them from breaking in earlier.

 

[wings5]

To be fair, both of them were 2004 picks and the lockout prevented them from breaking in earlier.

Yeah they could have broke in at a younger age if not for the lockout, point is they had extra years of pro hockey over Svechnikov so people need to realize to be patient as 18 year old Russians breaking into the NHL are rare these days.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Yeah they could have broke in at a younger age if not for the lockout, point is they had extra years of pro hockey over Svechnikov so people need to realize to be patient as 18 year old Russians breaking into the NHL are rare these days.

Yep, definitely a fair point that those guys never had the awkward 18yo transition phase. I think back to how rough the first seasons were for guys like Thornton and Stamkos, who were stars within a year or two afterward.

 

[93LEAFS]

Yep, definitely a fair point that those guys never had the awkward 18yo transition phase. I think back to how rough the first seasons were for guys like Thornton and Stamkos, who were stars within a year or two afterward.

I think Stamkos was a case of just a completely incompetent coach being brought back to the NHL after 10 years and not knowing how to deal with it.

Thornton was an interesting case, but the NHL seemed a lot harder on 18-year-olds at that point. Looking back, Lecavalier had a similar development curve to Thornton but never took that final step, or injuries ruined the chances of it happening.

I think the year-round skill development and the circles these guys run in better prepare them for the NHL. You look at guys like McDavid and Matthews and they've been training with NHLers in the off-season since they were 16 or 17. Laine was working with noted people in Finnish hockey at a similar age. MacKinnon got off to a blazing start, but somewhat regressed then came back stronger had a similar development path. I don't think the elite kids are as in aw of NHLers as previous generations, and the rule changes of 2004-05 have opened the game up more for youth to take advantage.

Now, Svechnikov has the added dimension of being a Russian player, which doesn't make it a like for like comparison. But, everything I saw in the OHL last year showed a guy who should be able to handle a middle-6 winger role at the least. He's not going to be overpowered, and his game is versatile enough he isn't dependent on any one skill or dimension to succeed. He also isn't really lacking in any dimension.

 

[VictorLustig]

Just scored his 1st goal. Looking good in limited icetime.

 

[13 others]

Damn I changed the channel before he scored.

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[CandyCanes]

He’s averaged right around 12 minutes a game. His linemates are Jordan Martinook & Lucas Wallmark. And he’s got 2 goals, 2 assists, +/- +4 in 4 games so far. He’s yet to be scored on when he’s on the ice.

Can’t wait to see what he can do lined up with some more skill forwards and starts getting 16-20 minutes a night.

 

[tfong]

He’s averaged right around 12 minutes a game. His linemates are Jordan Martinook & Lucas Wallmark. And he’s got 2 goals, 2 assists, +/- +4 in 4 games so far. He’s yet to be scored on when he’s on the ice.

Can’t wait to see what he can do lined up with some more skill forwards and starts getting 16-20 minutes a night.

Good plan to ease him in. Its a long a season. Plus if hes being matched against other 3rd lines then it should help him adjust faster and helps on the scoresheet too

 

[Thebesthockey]

calder

 

[ScottishCanuck]

How's he playing?

The points seem to have dried up a bit after a decent start.

 

[VictorLustig]

How's he playing?

The points seem to have dried up a bit after a decent start.

It's tough to score with his minutes and line mates. Should be playing more.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Looks better tonight than I've seen this season. Strong on the puck, physical behind the net and really engaged.

 

[BlackEye from Xhekaj]

10-11 mins a night with Wallmark and Martinook.. it's hard to be an offensive force. Hopefully RBA is just eating him in to an NHL role, start slow and move his way up as the season goes, this way he doesn't burn out down the stretch. He looks good out there.. just hasn't been put in a role to be super successful.

 

[Atas2000]

Brind'Amour is expectedly a coaching retrograde. That shot generating style and how he puts the lines together.

Not good for Svechnikov. 10 mins with those linemates is pure nonsense.

 

[VictorLustig]

Brind'Amour is expectedly a coaching retrograde. That shot generating style and how he puts the lines together.

Not good for Svechnikov. 10 mins with those linemates is pure nonsense.

Giving Svechnikov proper ice time should be a priority, he's perhaps their most important piece for the future. He looks more than ready to play a bigger role.