I think you see it a bit too negativ. You can notice that at the youth level Russia almost every year is getting deeper and deeper. It took a while but now they are not only producing elite wingers, but also goaltenders. You can also notice that in the defense Departement there is progress. You say that there are not good centers. Well, I think a Problem is kuz is not alowed to play. Otherwise it wouldnt be so bad. And if a good center who can kate, with good skill And a little talent has to elite wings, his can creates very good lines if the guys click. So not hing is lost. Russia will surely Start to produce also elite centers.
Olympics: Team Russia 2022
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In a nation of 146 million people where the vast majority of kids can skate outdoors even if they don't have access to an indoor rink, occasional talent will appear of the likes of Michkov and Miroshnischenko, even if little or nothing of a planned and organized manner is done to produce it. For example, Ovechkin and Malkin came along in 2003 and 2005 at a time when little or nothing was being done in Russia to actively develop talent. I hope that the equivalent of a Michkov and Miroshnischenko will emerge every year to broaden the talent base, but only time will tell if that will happen. At present, even though a lot of new rinks have been built in the last 10 years (mostly with Federal or enterprise funding), the local cities and districts have failed to use the rinks to invest in other elements like coaching, youth development and youth competitions, so only a small fraction of kids are actually in a position to advance to the international levels of competition.
Despite the lack of centre depth a well drilled and coached side can do wonders in any team sport. Problem is who is coaching and his assistants. RHF is making yet another balls up. The consolation is that the under age sides are improving with number of players of a certain level being produced.
Problem for me is the base and talent refinement is still not what it should be and that as Yakushev72 says it would be nice to see a Michkov, Svechkov, Gulyayev emerging each year to build a stacked team the way netminders are now emerging season after season.
Problem for me is the base and talent refinement is still not what it should be and that as Yakushev72 says it would be nice to see a Michkov, Svechkov, Gulyayev emerging each year to build a stacked team the way netminders are now emerging season after season.
lilidk
Registered User
- Mar 4, 2008
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Namestnikov between Ovechkin and Svechnikov?
I understand center position is worse of Russian team , but come-on Namestnikov is 3-4 liner even in Detroit
Barbeshev and Tarasenko are very good friends and shows unreal chemistry.Would put both together.
sdf
Registered User
Kuznetsov (byrdman), Kucherov (the drunk guy) and Panarin (Kickingmaniac)...
Two ridiculous defenders is needs, and it will be great "cringe unit"
Two ridiculous defenders is needs, and it will be great "cringe unit"
Zhamnov: "There is a chance that Kuznetsov will play in Beijing"
"We are in contact every day with both the league and the NHL Players' Association. Ilya Kovalchuk is fully engaged in this issue. We will have full information in the near future, by the end of this week. I can honestly say there are chances that Kuznetsov can play in Beijing".
"We are in contact every day with both the league and the NHL Players' Association. Ilya Kovalchuk is fully engaged in this issue. We will have full information in the near future, by the end of this week. I can honestly say there are chances that Kuznetsov can play in Beijing".
Zine
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- Feb 28, 2002
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So they're retroactively testing. He passed tests in 2013, but is ineligible now? Not to mention NHL testing deemed him drug free too.
The witchhunt never ends. So stupid.
The witchhunt never ends. So stupid.
sdf
Registered User
Nichushkin played for Russia at 2014 Sochi games and now can´t participate 2022 games because of doping in 2013. 
Thats just ridiculous....
Thats just ridiculous....Is it not? Romanov surely isn't going to make it, bacause just as I saw it he made the jump to NA too early and wasn't ready at all. Now take off you NA bias glasses. The russian D will be vastly improved comapred to the squads prior. And it is solid. Nobody says it is tops in the World.
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Firsov99
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- Feb 17, 2006
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Yes. Specifically in comparison to the last World Cup. I think it’s pretty obvious.
I guess solid might be the right word.
If they were an NHL defense I’d say they would be average (at best)
Personally think Sergachev is overrated.
I’d say there is a huge cap between them and Canada,USA and Sweden.
If they were an NHL defense I’d say they would be average (at best)
Personally think Sergachev is overrated.
I’d say there is a huge cap between them and Canada,USA and Sweden.
Firsov99
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- Feb 17, 2006
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The way Kuzya is playing now, it would be spectacular news if he is allowed to play.
Firsov99
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- Feb 17, 2006
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Zub, Gavy, Orlov, Provorov, Voynov, Sergachev are average? Well, they are certainly not superstars, but average? There is definitely a gap between them and the elite defensemen, but it’s not that huge of a gap. In fact, Zub, Gavy, and Voynov are very underrated.
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They might not have bottom pairing guys but they also lack a legitimate #1
A lot of middle pairing guys which is fine.
Still think the D is definitely one of the team’s weaknesses.
IceHockey19
Registered User
About center forward problem
In World Championship 2012 Malkin played in the center with Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. And he was absolutely great. I thought he was free for creative play and attack. May be Popov or Perezhogin did all defensive job? In the semifinal vs Finland Malkin received small damage and line transformed into Popov - Ovechkin - Perezhogin. Yes, Ovi in the center. Ovi scored goal, and team played very well.
So, maybe if players of the wings show good defensive play, we can use strong wingers in the center?
Kaprizov, Radulov, Mikheev, Ovechkin?
Line Kaprizov - Ovechkin - Tarasenko IMHO is good both devensively and offensively. Our face-offs are bad anyway.
In World Championship 2012 Malkin played in the center with Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. And he was absolutely great. I thought he was free for creative play and attack. May be Popov or Perezhogin did all defensive job? In the semifinal vs Finland Malkin received small damage and line transformed into Popov - Ovechkin - Perezhogin. Yes, Ovi in the center. Ovi scored goal, and team played very well.
So, maybe if players of the wings show good defensive play, we can use strong wingers in the center?
Kaprizov, Radulov, Mikheev, Ovechkin?
Line Kaprizov - Ovechkin - Tarasenko IMHO is good both devensively and offensively. Our face-offs are bad anyway.
They just need to be solid and well coached in their patterns and they can hold up equally with anyone. There seems to be a consistent underrating bias towards the defensive corps from certain groups. You see it when higher round NA picks for a NHL side struggle but the lower round Russian draftee makes them look worse. And then still do not get the ice time they deserve. And for the future the defence is looking better and better. The concern surrounds responsible two way centres.
Is that why Bergevin gets slated continually by Canadiens fans then ? Trevor Timmins when he singled out Sergachev said he had all the hallmarks to be a number one defenceman. There are kinks in his game but he still has yet to reach his peak.
People get a little too caught up in "on-paper" talent.
Look, obviously you want the team to have as much talent as possible, but that's not the only variable. Chemistry is also a big factor here. Another underrated factor is having players adjust to different roles then what they are used to in their clubs.
Not every line can play top line minutes staring their shifts mostly in offensive zones and not every player will get PP time.
Some of these star players will need to swallow their prides when they get 60+% d-zone starts (when they usually get 60+% o-zone starts for their clubs), play on PK, no PP time and play half as many even-strength minutes as they are used to.
Oh, and have fans bash them that they letting their country down because they can't duplicate their club production.
Look, obviously you want the team to have as much talent as possible, but that's not the only variable. Chemistry is also a big factor here. Another underrated factor is having players adjust to different roles then what they are used to in their clubs.
Not every line can play top line minutes staring their shifts mostly in offensive zones and not every player will get PP time.
Some of these star players will need to swallow their prides when they get 60+% d-zone starts (when they usually get 60+% o-zone starts for their clubs), play on PK, no PP time and play half as many even-strength minutes as they are used to.
Oh, and have fans bash them that they letting their country down because they can't duplicate their club production.
Caser
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- May 21, 2013
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Malkin wasn't out for too long in that game, less than 10 minutes iirc, so Ovechkin was there just for some shifts, but scored a goal, yes. Not to mention that if I remember correctly in that combo Popov was moved to a center and Ovi stayed on the wing.
Firsov99
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- Feb 17, 2006
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Middle pairing guys? Here are ice times for the middle pairing guys:
Zub 24:06 (2nd on the team and by a good margin)
Provorov 24:32 (1st)
Gavrikov 21:24 (3d)
Orlov 20:03 (4th but 2nd among D)
Sergachev 22:12 (3rd)
Voynov 22:12 (1st)
Also people forget how good Voynov, two-time Stanley Cup champ, is. When he won his second Cup, he iced 22:18 - second on the team only behind Doughty.
Provy and Voynov will play leadership roles on the D.
While it's true that D is a drop off from the goaltending and wingers (because both are elite), I believe that the term weakness in reference to the D is a misnomer. Center position is, indeed, a weakness for team Russia.
