Knew this one was coming...
How can anyone make an opinion about the CHL route if there has only been 100 Russians who have tried? That sample size is ridiculously small. What isn't small is the amount of Russians who fail coming to NA. That is very well documented.
As for Panarin, Bob and Kuz, I would bet a large sum of money that they would also be successful if they went the CHL route.
It's not the league, there are successful prospects from both, it's the player and their willingness to adapt.
The way Abramov is starting to adapt to a faster and more physical game, I would say he is starting to figure it out, 2 goals last night.