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- Oct 12, 2008
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Rumor: Valeri Nichushkin close to a KHL deal
- Thread starter caley
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This guy was the steal of his draft, went 26th overall and would be picked in the top 5 in a re-draft.
Except he was smart and patient and developed more in Russia before jumping over
I cant remember the worry around Nichushkin, but I thought the reason many teams passed on him was he wanted to come over and jump to the NHL right away or he wouldnt come over (or go to the AHL) and Dallas made him that guarantee
If true, Nichushkin was an impatient teenager and it possibly stunted his development
Kuznetsov came over 3 years after he was drafted and he clearly was more ready when he stepped in and in his second full season was nearly PPG
The only way his KHL team would let him out of his contract at the time was if he was in the NHL. They wouldnt release him to come over and play in the AHL.
Troy McClure
Should’ve drafted Makar
Especially when the correct answer to the Horvat vs Nichushkin question is Max Domi.
"A lot of games where he was extremely dominant." That's simply not true. Not by any measurement. He had one game against the Devils (I believe) where he had a goal and an assist and looked pretty good. That was it. It wasn't even extremely dominant. It was a handful of good shifts in one game.
Maybe. The problem is he's going to a big international rink to play against inferior talent. He needs to find a physical game, learn how to win puck battles, and do more with the puck in tight spaces. If he was going to the AHL, I'd expect some growth, but he's returning to the big rink where he can skate away from working on the weakest parts of his game (other than his beer league quality shot on goal).
Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
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I guess I shouldn't have said "a lot"... should have used "there were some games he was dominant and you could see what he can become"
the main game that comes to mind for me was VS Canucks. He was dominant and was on a whole new level.
serp
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- Jan 17, 2016
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Don't really think this is Ruffs fault here though. Nichuskin wasn't artificially put at a disadvantage . Yeah he played all over the lineup but so did anyone not named Benn and Seguin . ( and even those got seperated and switched around a bit last year ) . Most of the time he still played top 6 his most frequent linemate was Spezza.
Eric Sachs
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- Jan 31, 2007
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wanted the Devils to take him when he fell to them in the draft
thankfully the Canucks stepped in and gave us Cory
thankfully the Canucks stepped in and gave us Cory
BruinsBtn
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- Dec 24, 2006
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This guy was the steal of his draft, went 26th overall and would be picked in the top 5 in a re-draft.
He's an RFA next year and one good season doesn't make a great draft pick. He has 34 career goals.
12 players from that draft have scored more points than him as well. He's got a long way to go.
...and even if he does stay in the NHL, he's going to make sure Washington pays up. He just said this: "If I would be in (Kucherov’s) position, I would be signed in the KHL for sure...I would sign and say bye,” Kuznetsov said, according to ESPN’s Craig Custance. “That’s me. I would buy a beach house and a couple Rolls-Royces."
kp61c
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if he doesn't want his career ruined anymore than it already is, he must try himself in the khl. ruff and dallas will bury him alive on the bench, lol
The Kessel Run
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Man, I thought he was going to be a steal for Dallas on draft day. Enjoy your days in the KHL, Nuke.
Maple Leaf
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serp
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Mostly top 6 minutes with Spezza even when he sucked but yeah buried on the bench .
It's probably what's best for him development wise. He was struggling in the NHL by all accounts anyways. He definitely has the tools to be a good NHLer someday. Give him a couple years and he'll be back.
Eric Sachs
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- Jan 31, 2007
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izzy
go
Dr Pepper
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HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
Holy **** I wanted Carolina to draft this guy so badly in 2013.
Doesn't want to play for Lindy Ruff yet the team finished first in the West last season. Sounds like he's got some growing up to do.
Doesn't want to play for Lindy Ruff yet the team finished first in the West last season. Sounds like he's got some growing up to do.
Chez Weber
King of the North
This guy was the steal of his draft, went 26th overall and would be picked in the top 5 in a re-draft.
And so is Tarasenko
jacks*
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- Mar 29, 2013
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Alexander the Gr8
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What really set Nichushkin back is his injury. He missed a full year at the age of 20, an age at which forwards blossom and discover their true potential. He's got a lot of unexploited skill, he's a good reclamation project. He should've stayed longer in the KHL, but perhaps he felt pressured to join the Stars who needed immediate help on the wings.
Where did you find that quote? Seems really out of character, I don't buy it. Also, you judge a playmaker by the number of goals he scored? How about finishing top 10 in scoring while getting very little PP minutes and averaging 17:30 minutes per game? 5th highest P/60 in the league behind only Kane, McDavid, Thornton and Benn. He's an outstanding draft pick and has shown more in a single year than the vast majority of his draft class. He took a pay cut on his bridge deal and he'll be locked up long term in Washington.
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