What were Kucherov's expectations when he joined the NHL in 2013?
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Stephen
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- Feb 28, 2002
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I seem to recall he got a lot of hype among Lightning fans for his work in Syracuse and formed the Triplets line with Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat around 2014 and after during his early NHL career. The skill level was off the charts when you caught little highlight packs but the hype felt exaggerated a little bit.
Here's an article from 2016, where he "broke out" as a 30 goal scorer and started to move in on Stamkos as far as being the primary offensive weapon on Tampa. After this point he just kept stacking the numbers and evolved into that cup winning, 100 point plus beast he is today.
thehockeywriters.com
Here's an article from 2016, where he "broke out" as a 30 goal scorer and started to move in on Stamkos as far as being the primary offensive weapon on Tampa. After this point he just kept stacking the numbers and evolved into that cup winning, 100 point plus beast he is today.
The Breakthrough Year of Nikita Kucherov - The Hockey Writers Tampa Bay Lightning Latest News, Analysis & More
As Nikita Kucherov becomes a star in his own right on the Tampa Bay Lightning, here's a look back at how his NHL career got started.
thehockeywriters.com
Staniowski
Registered User
Kucherov has never changed.
He is (still) the best 16-year-old scorer (in points-per-game) in the history of the main Russian junior league (MHL).
He is (still) the highest scorer in the history of the U18 WJC.
A big scorer in the U20 WJC, the QMJHL, and the AHL.
His teammate Vasilevskiy has said that Kucherov was exactly the same when they played together when they were teenagers.
He is (still) the best 16-year-old scorer (in points-per-game) in the history of the main Russian junior league (MHL).
He is (still) the highest scorer in the history of the U18 WJC.
A big scorer in the U20 WJC, the QMJHL, and the AHL.
His teammate Vasilevskiy has said that Kucherov was exactly the same when they played together when they were teenagers.
BlueBull
Habby Man
I think that me being introduced to the full scope of the NHL through NHL 15 made me kind of underestimate Kucherov until the 2017-18 Season.I seem to recall he got a lot of hype among Lightning fans for his work in Syracuse and formed the Triplets line with Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat around 2014 and after during his early NHL career. The skill level was off the charts when you caught little highlight packs but the hype felt exaggerated a little bit.
Here's an article from 2016, where he "broke out" as a 30 goal scorer and started to move in on Stamkos as far as being the primary offensive weapon on Tampa. After this point he just kept stacking the numbers and evolved into that cup winning, 100 point plus beast he is today.
The Breakthrough Year of Nikita Kucherov - The Hockey Writers Tampa Bay Lightning Latest News, Analysis & More
As Nikita Kucherov becomes a star in his own right on the Tampa Bay Lightning, here's a look back at how his NHL career got started.
Since his rating in that game was based off his decent but not amazing NHL rookie campaign, he had a just ok rating (81 Overall with Low Elite Potential)
Hence, I thought his 2014-15 season was initially a fluke.
At the same time, players like Tyler Bozak were an 87 overall in NHL 15, but I was 12 at the time. I wasn't able to recognize that the listed overall was based only on their previous season.
Caser
Moderator
I remember in Lightning board's prospect poll he was 5th behind Drouin, Vasilevskiy, Connolly and Killorn.
The Macho King
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Most pre-draft expectations had him at multiple 100 point seasons, one or two Art Ross trophies, and first ballot HHoF.
Matsun
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- Aug 15, 2010
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I doubt most had him at that pre-draft. I had him high and could imagine others probably did too, but not most people.
Caser
Moderator
in 2011 indeed there was some hype due to the U18s record combined with the Russian factor stuff. However between that and 2013 he had a meh KHL stint, shoulder surgery and 6 months recovering from that, moving to the Q and Patrick Roy picking Grigorenko and Sorensen over him.
Solid stint in the Q and decent WJCs still held his hype level at the top prospect level, but not at elite level where Drouin and Vasy were, so he was there in the tier with Connolly and Killorn (behind them as he was considered a bit more risky).
Solid stint in the Q and decent WJCs still held his hype level at the top prospect level, but not at elite level where Drouin and Vasy were, so he was there in the tier with Connolly and Killorn (behind them as he was considered a bit more risky).
BLNY
Registered User
"The Russian Rifle"
thehockeywriters.com
Nikita Kucherov – NHL 2011 Draft Prospect Profile
Nikita Kucherov Date of birth: Maikop, RUS Place of birth: June 17, 1993 Ht: 5-10.5 Wt: 171 Shoots: L Position: RW NHL Draft Eligibility: 2011 One-Timer: Kucherov is an…
thehockeywriters.com
EdmFlyersfan
Registered User
I thought Michkov broke those records, but I could be wrong.
"Matvei Michkov was playing in his D-2 in a U20 league. He started the year as a fifteen-year-old player, yet he managed to completely set the MHL on fire. He broke the records that Nikita Kucherov set in his D-2 season while being six and a half months younger."
Breaking Down Matvei Michkov: Russia's Exceptional Talent
Graphic Courtesy of Andrew Armstrong Matvei Michkov had a season full of broken records, highlight-reel plays, and player comparisons to some of the best NHL forwards we’ve ever seen. While I hate comparing Player A to Player B, it isn’t outrageous to start thinking that
dobberprospects.com
It's honestly crazy what a good performer he is on the powerplay. I think he's better on the powerplay than Malkin ever was, and I'm a Pens fan. He's just an unbelievable passer and his shot is devastating on the pp too.
At even strength I'd take prime Malkin over him no question. Prime Malkin was just a horse. And overall I think I would still take prime Malkin over Kucherov.
But god damn what a weapon this guy is on special teams. And at even strength too, but especially the PP.
At even strength I'd take prime Malkin over him no question. Prime Malkin was just a horse. And overall I think I would still take prime Malkin over Kucherov.
But god damn what a weapon this guy is on special teams. And at even strength too, but especially the PP.
The Abusement Park
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Yeah he's one of the best PP players ever imo. Obviously a great player in his own right but special on the PP.
I remember a lot of talk about him being a 30-30 guy. By the time he entered the league we thought closer to 40-40.
The playmaking just kept improving though. I dont think we saw that coming.
The playmaking just kept improving though. I dont think we saw that coming.
Look Up
Rev up your .....batteries?
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Kucherov was a 2nd round pick due to the Russian factor of teams not being able to sign a Russian player once picked.
I remember listening to Lightning post draft coverage where they discussed how Yzerman took a gamble picking him in the 2nd as it could be a wasted pick if he doesn't sign and wants to continue to play in Russia.
Some old articles giving background:
‘What’s with all these Russians?’ Behind the scenes of Lightning’s 2011 NHL Draft
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...front-office-pedigree-in-2011-lightning-draft
I remember listening to Lightning post draft coverage where they discussed how Yzerman took a gamble picking him in the 2nd as it could be a wasted pick if he doesn't sign and wants to continue to play in Russia.
Some old articles giving background:
‘What’s with all these Russians?’ Behind the scenes of Lightning’s 2011 NHL Draft
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...front-office-pedigree-in-2011-lightning-draft
Breakfast of Champs
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This was it for me too. I thought he could be a star, maybe a superstar for a few years - top 10 in pts at his peak.
He blew the lid off of that
Vasilevskiy
The cat will be back
We were expecting him to be a boom or bust type of pick.
After his first season a few of us called him a future 40 goal scorer but main boards were telling us off. I never doubted he was special, you could see it right away from the AHL. I didn't expect him to be this good though
After his first season a few of us called him a future 40 goal scorer but main boards were telling us off. I never doubted he was special, you could see it right away from the AHL. I didn't expect him to be this good though
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Let's see who rewrites history or posts something without proof
The Internet was around so the scouting reports are there
The Internet was around so the scouting reports are there
Kuch tore up international play, he also tore up the Q.
I personally watched his line of himself/Andrighetto/JSD give the MacKinnon/Drouin/Frk line a run for their money. The moose swept them, but 3 of those were 1 goal games (excluding ENG)
Maybe casuals thought nothing or little of a 2nd round pick, but those who watched knew how much skill he had. Now, did anyone expect anything like this? Absolutely not, but there was certainly a subsect of fans who knew he had some unique offensive capabilities.
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
watching Kucherov it was obvious he was going to translate to pro hockey, that line is the only line I saw all year that could match Halifax's juggerneaut.
His IQ and puck skills were unreal, he was like a surgeon out there, he wasn't overpowering he was outsmarting everyone - and his release was so good. Anyone I know who saw those games came away incredibly impressed by everything he did on the ice. He drove that line and almost carried a team that was far inferior to Halifax to a few wins. On paper it was a sweep but in reality those were very close games.
Sky04
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His playmaking was definitely not on the radar until like 2016. He was always thought of as more of a goal scorer.
It's not like you can say he was always making plays like he does now, it just came from the evolution of his hockey sense as he progressed.
Bolt32
Registered User
Personal? I knew he was a franchise player when we drafted him. (Look at my post history if you want verification.)
Team wise? A lot of people thought he had top 6 potential. Was a high reward pick, but many people thought if he hit his ceiling would be a top liner but didn't think it was likely.
Thing is, when you watched him even in world Juniors you could tell his hockey IQ was worlds ahead of his peers. It wasn't a fluke that when paired with two other high IQ individuals, that he became part of the triplet line with Tyler Johnson and Palat. Which honestly felt more like our top line, than our top line did. When he joined them, his production skyrocketed. Eventually he out grew them, was given even more talented line mates, (The best ones we had for him.) then he goes ahead and pots a 128 point season and has been an incredibly productive player for us since.
I thought Michkov broke those records, but I could be wrong.
"Matvei Michkov was playing in his D-2 in a U20 league. He started the year as a fifteen-year-old player, yet he managed to completely set the MHL on fire. He broke the records that Nikita Kucherov set in his D-2 season while being six and a half months younger."
Breaking Down Matvei Michkov: Russia's Exceptional Talent
Graphic Courtesy of Andrew Armstrong Matvei Michkov had a season full of broken records, highlight-reel plays, and player comparisons to some of the best NHL forwards we’ve ever seen. While I hate comparing Player A to Player B, it isn’t outrageous to start thinking thatdobberprospects.com
Overall Michkov had more impressive season for sure. He was younger, scored more points and even had better PPG on SKA 1946. But he played 6 games for Varyagi and scored 3+1 so his combined PPG was lower than Kucherov's.
Silky Johnson
I wish you all the bad things in life.
It was a great draft year. I had him a 5 Art Ross's and therefore consider him a bust.
