Team Russia U-23 / good team?

[Kshahdoo]

Prospects. Zaitsev is in his mid-20s.

I think you guys are forgetting about Paigin, what is happening with him? I've heard some not so good things about Ak Bars Kazan.

Paigin put up good numbers with HK Sochi. Paigin is Edmonton Oiler property, and could one day be playing with Connor McDavid if we get him over, we want him over here. Why did Paigin do so well in Sochi but not so good playing for Ak Bars Kazan? I've heard some rumblings about the coaching.

Zaitsev isn't a prospect, but he's a solid defenseman even by NHL standarts. And considering we're getting more and more young players, we'll probably see one day even better defensemen, than Zaitsev in the KHL. And Paigin is only 21, these kids tend to go into a slump.

Paigin just came out of injury and sent to the VHL to get better conditions. He plays for the team, where the head coach demands to play good defense above all from all defensemen, and Paigin isn't that good defensively so far.

Sochi's coach obviously thought, defensive game didn't matter, when the kid was scoring so many points, but Bill is different. I bet it happens in the NHL as well.

 

[snipes]

Zaitsev isn't a prospect, but he's a solid defenseman even by NHL standarts. And considering we're getting more and more young players, we'll probably see one day even better defensemen, than Zaitsev in the KHL.

Paigin just came out of injury and sent to the VHL to get better conditions. He plays for the team, where the head coach demands to play good defense above all from all defensemen, and Paigin isn't that good defensively so far.

Sochi's coach obviously thought, defensive game didn't matter, when the kid was scoring so many points, but Bill is different. I bet it happens in the NHL as well.

Zaitsev is solid by NHL standards, he's a legit #3/4 Dman right now. Provorov and Sergachev have #1 D potential.

Yes, I'm aware of Paigin's injury. It seems odd for Paigin, he put up the best numbers amongst all Dmen in the KHL during his time with Sochi, then he falls completely off with Ak Bars. Something is going on there.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Zaitsev is solid by NHL standards, he's a legit #3/4 Dman right now. Provorov and Sergachev have #1 D potential.

Yes, I'm aware of Paigin's injury. It seems odd for Paigin, he put up the best numbers amongst all Dmen in the KHL during his time with Sochi, then he falls completely off with Ak Bars. Something is going on there.

Zaitsev isn't at his best right now, he's still getting used to new hockey. He can become even better, than just a solid 3/4 D. And Provorov and especially Sergachev are still projects. Like Paigin, who's just 21. These kids tend to go into a slump.

 

[snipes]

Zaitsev isn't at his best right now, he's still getting used to new hockey. He can become even better, than just a solid 3/4 D. And Provorov and especially Sergachev are still projects. Like Paigin, who's just 21. These kids tend to go into a slump.

Zaitsev is already on the top pairing, but the Leafs have a very weak D core.

Provorov will be a #1. I've seen Provorov live over 20 times the past two years playing in the WHL. He had the best season last year I've seen out of a WHL Dman in the last 10-15 years.

The smaller ice is tough on D men, the forecheck gets on them faster. That's why good Dmen are more important on the smaller ice. You need big, strong skaters who can move the puck quickly.

I hope Paigin is alright. It would be a shame to waste that talent.

 

[Lataba76]

I would not call a gap -abyss.

Russia is weaker than Canada In two things: a defender and coaches. This WCOH and showed this thing.

I think canadian offense is in wide base much better than the russian offense.
Sorry Russia is much weaker than before 10-15 years.
Sweden and USA are better too. And Finland is a big hurdle for Sbornaja(last 4 best to best RUS vs FIN 1:3).

 

[Bear12Good]

I think canadian offense is in wide base much better than the russian offense.
Sorry Russia is much weaker than before 10-15 years.
Sweden and USA are better too. And Finland is a big hurdle for Sbornaja(last 4 best to best RUS vs FIN 1:3).

Finnish defenders maybe better Russian D

But Russian forwards is it better than Finnish forwards ?

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Shalunov

Nice, Shalunov with the sniper instinct .

 

[BlitzSnipe]

I think canadian offense is in wide base much better than the russian offense.
Sorry Russia is much weaker than before 10-15 years.
Sweden and USA are better too. And Finland is a big hurdle for Sbornaja(last 4 best to best RUS vs FIN 1:3).

That's what you always say, then Russia gets to the final, in the least .

 

[moropanov]

Russia was in final last time 18 years ago in legit Men's tournament... Skoda is random tournament(which players participate in it) so its not very good indicator when comparing top 6 countryes to each other. Of course if you play well in skoda win gold medals and other medals its clear that you are top country and belong in top 6 but it doesnt really tell much more. Any top 6 country even Czech could be regularly in finals in skoda if they send almost theyr A teams to it.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I think canadian offense is in wide base much better than the russian offense.
Sorry Russia is much weaker than before 10-15 years.
Sweden and USA are better too. And Finland is a big hurdle for Sbornaja(last 4 best to best RUS vs FIN 1:3).

And I can say, that Russian offense is better, than Canadians. Buchnevich isn't the best on this Russian U23 bunch, and he's 3+4 after 9 games in the NHL... I can invent a lot of arguments, but they will be just words. It's a stupid discussion.