- Aug 24, 2011
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Since the lockout there have been plenty of amazing Russian forwards and more than a few excellent Russian goalies. Why are we not seeing any elite or Hall of Fame level defenseman coming out of Russia in general?
Markov, Gonchar, Orlov, Sergachev, Tyutin, Provorov, Kulikov, Zadorov, Zaitsev, and Voynov had his moment before he torched his career. Markov and Gonchar both had very good careers but they retired 8 & 10 years ago respectively. Zubov is the last great Russian Dman and it makes me curious why we haven't seen any Fetisov-level (who I LOVE) talents coming into the league since he himself retired in 98.
Sergachev was looking promising for a short while and Provorov seems to have fizzled out in terms of being a great #1D, both players I considered to have very high potential. Are we expecting Norris level play in the future from Mintyukov in Anaheim or my by Levshunov in Chicago (although he's Belrussian)? Why is Russia so great at developing point producing forwards, mostly wingers at that, and goalies but not defenseman?
Markov, Gonchar, Orlov, Sergachev, Tyutin, Provorov, Kulikov, Zadorov, Zaitsev, and Voynov had his moment before he torched his career. Markov and Gonchar both had very good careers but they retired 8 & 10 years ago respectively. Zubov is the last great Russian Dman and it makes me curious why we haven't seen any Fetisov-level (who I LOVE) talents coming into the league since he himself retired in 98.
Sergachev was looking promising for a short while and Provorov seems to have fizzled out in terms of being a great #1D, both players I considered to have very high potential. Are we expecting Norris level play in the future from Mintyukov in Anaheim or my by Levshunov in Chicago (although he's Belrussian)? Why is Russia so great at developing point producing forwards, mostly wingers at that, and goalies but not defenseman?