W Nikita Kucherov (2011, 58th overall, Tampa Bay)

[Henderson19]

You're all going to want to see his goal with Drouin from yesterday

skip 50 seconds into the highlights video

http://video.panthers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=93&id=443431&navid=DL|FLA|home

Brilliant!

 

[Stammer Time*]

Kucherov scored a hat trick in his 2nd career AHL game vs the Rochester Americans.

Kucherov was asked if he was concerned the Amerks would be unhappy with his celebrations: "I don't care."

https://twitter.com/JGHoughtaling/status/389218796579602432

Haha.

 

[Acallabeth]

Haha.

So disrespectful

 

[FreshFruit]

What kind of celebrations?

 

[Wats]

If the Ameriks didn't want to see him celebrate they should stop letting him score.

 

[IdealisticSniper]

What kind of celebrations?

Simple one knee fist pump basically. Nothing crazy like when Yakupov scored and slide himself to center ice lol.

Edit: Saw more of it, guess it was a bit more than I thought haha.

 

[NMF78]

Kucherov scored a hat trick in his 2nd career AHL game vs the Rochester Americans.



https://twitter.com/JGHoughtaling/status/389218796579602432

Haha.

Why is he playing in the AHL?

 

[Stammer Time*]

Why is he playing in the AHL?

The Lightning are both loaded with forward depth and believe in not calling up a player until he is ready to stay up for good. Same reason why Drouin is in Halifax another year.

 

[Bure]

Wow what a release on both shots.

http://www.syracuse.com/crunch/inde...in_over_rochester_in_home_opener_on_satu.html

 

[NMF78]

The Lightning are both loaded with forward depth and believe in not calling up a player until he is ready to stay up for good. Same reason why Drouin is in Halifax another year.

then he should be in the KHL

 

[Garyboy]

You're all going to want to see his goal with Drouin from yesterday

skip 50 seconds into the highlights video

http://video.panthers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=93&id=443431&navid=DL|FLA|home

GORGEOUS! Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[Number 57]

Dig up my posts I said it before. Kucherov is just way too good and should be in the NHL. I started a thread saying Kuch-Drouin-Stamkos would be deadly together.

Kucherov's offensive skills are absolutely ELITE. Like a notch under Crosby/Malkin/Ovechkin. He is a GEM. Produces points everywhere he goes and just has a knack for getting scoring opportunities. He posseses one of the top wrister I have EVER seen and knows where to be to use it. Can also make great passing plays and is a very good skater.

 

[Ace88*]

Dig up my posts I said it before. Kucherov is just way too good and should be in the NHL. I started a thread saying Kuch-Drouin-Stamkos would be deadly together.

Kucherov's offensive skills are absolutely ELITE. Like a notch under Crosby/Malkin/Ovechkin. He is a GEM. Produces points everywhere he goes and just has a knack for getting scoring opportunities. He posseses one of the top wrister I have EVER seen and knows where to be to use it. Can also make great passing plays and is a very good skater.

Do you think hes as good, or better than ovechkin?

 

[Sartorial]

Do you think hes as good, or better than ovechkin?

He's good, but he's nowhere near Ovechkin-good. I see him as an average first liner/excellent second liner. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

 

[malkinfan]

He's got a Semin like shot, the release, the accuracy. That alone will carry him through to the NHL, but he also has passing skills and moves. He'll be in the show sooner rather than later.

 

[XO]

Was so disappointed Red Wings didn't draft him. Looks a great prospect for sure.

We did get Jurco and Sproul though, so happy with that.

 

[Scouter]

Was so disappointed Red Wings didn't draft him. Looks a great prospect for sure.

We did get Jurco and Sproul though, so happy with that.

Well they kinda did, Stevie Y, ex-Wing got him.

 

[Scouter]

The Lightning are both loaded with forward depth and believe in not calling up a player until he is ready to stay up for good. Same reason why Drouin is in Halifax another year.

Well they did bring up Connolly when he wasn't ready.

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

Well they did bring up Connolly when he wasn't ready.

Connolly had issue with his team in chl why they kept him up.

Kucherov needs to work on two way game. He is improving but a year down will only help him.

Drouin was sent down to work on two way play and learn center.

They got harder decisions next year seeing everyone is playing so well in minors and for tampa.

To those saying khl over ahl your crazy. You always want control of your players so can have them work on areas you choose etc... Ahl is better league also.

 

[newham89]

Connolly had issue with his team in chl why they kept him up.

Kucherov needs to work on two way game. He is improving but a year down will only help him.

Drouin was sent down to work on two way play and learn center.

They got harder decisions next year seeing everyone is playing so well in minors and for tampa.

To those saying khl over ahl your crazy. You always want control of your players so can have them work on areas you choose etc... Ahl is better league also.

KHL is the far superior league. However, Kucherov would not be guaranteed first line minutes over there. His KHL rights are held by CSKA I believe and they don't seem to make much of a habit of giving big minutes to younger players.

Along with that you have Kucherov getting acclimated with North American ice and controlling his ice time and development, the AHL is a better option for him at this point.

 

[Ace88*]

He's good, but he's nowhere near Ovechkin-good. I see him as an average first liner/excellent second liner. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

didn't think i needed to include a ...

 

[Sartorial]

didn't think i needed to include a ...

Sorry, I'm not following.

What I think you mean though, is you disagree with my assessment.

If that's true, how do you project him, and why?

 

[drw02]

KHL is the far superior league. However, Kucherov would not be guaranteed first line minutes over there. His KHL rights are held by CSKA I believe and they don't seem to make much of a habit of giving big minutes to younger players.

Along with that you have Kucherov getting acclimated with North American ice and controlling his ice time and development, the AHL is a better option for him at this point.

Far superior? Dunno about that...More top end talent in the KHL but for the most part they are pretty equal competition wise.

 

[Captain Clutch]

For all of Kucherov's skill, he is still very slightly built and this is his 1st season competing against men, so in addition to needing to work on his two way game, he needs to mature physically a little more or he's going to get broken in half by someone. If you saw Alex Edler's check on Tomas Hertl the other day and imagine that happening to Kucherov at 175lbs then you'll know what I mean.

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

kucherov came in at 6'1 listed 184 same as stamkos he will be fine. He is working out now and gonna gain more muscle. He hits and that is what meant on two way play.

He is not small at all he is average. Will agree he has best slap shot besides stamkos I have ever seen. He does it when game is on the line and seems to be that guy bigger the moment the bigger he plays.

Those are rare. I do not believe he was ready for NHL. He really didnt excel in full camp. But in every other area prospect camps russia worlds etc.. he excelled so far.

He needed the ahl to get the speed closer. He will be ready late in year or next year but still might not find a spot cause tampa has guys which are ahead of him and not sure if they move anyone anytime soon.

I do believe and have said this he will develop into a federov when federov was great two way player type of player.

I wouldnt mind him in ahl for a year or two even to become that good and work on those aspects his shot is NHL ready now.