Why was Kaprizov not a higher pick? KHL factor or other reasons?

[WarriorofTime]

It's pretty remarkable Kaprizov was available in the 5th round. Unlike other Russian guys like Panarin who went Undrafted, he was a big deal within the Russian Minor Hockey system seeing as how he went first in the KHL draft and performed well at Under 18 youth events.

Seeing as how it played out with him staying in the KHL a while and then being willing to leave this most recent offseason if he did not get the kind of contract he wanted from the Wild, was it a thing where he had told people that he was content to play his entire career in the KHL? Even still, with his talent, you'd think someone would throw at least a 2nd round pick at him even just to stash his NHL rights incase he changed his mind. Were there any other concerns about him as a Prospect that just lead NHL teams to completely whiff on this guy? This dude is unreal, can't believe the Wild got a player like that so late in the draft.

 

[BigRangy]

Even Kucherov at peak russian factor times still went in the 2nd. I think everyone just didn’t think Kaprizov would be this good.

 

[Joel Ward]

Seems like the most common knocks against him were his size and KHL contract

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He didn't seem to get much attention here prior to and up to the draft. Unless I missed someother thread(s) there were just a mere 6 posts in his thread on the Prospects board prior to him getting drafted.

LW/RW Kirill Kaprizov - CSKA Moscow, KHL (2015, 135th, MIN)

 

[ThatGuy22]

It's pretty remarkable Kaprizov was available in the 5th round. Unlike other Russian guys like Panarin who went Undrafted, he was a big deal within the Russian Minor Hockey system seeing as how he went first in the KHL draft and performed well at Under 18 youth events.

Seeing as how it played out with him staying in the KHL a while and then being willing to leave this most recent offseason if he did not get the kind of contract he wanted from the Wild, was it a thing where he had told people that he was content to play his entire career in the KHL? Even still, with his talent, you'd think someone would throw at least a 2nd round pick at him even just to stash his NHL rights incase he changed his mind. Were there any other concerns about him as a Prospect that just lead NHL teams to completely whiff on this guy? This dude is unreal, can't believe the Wild got a player like that so late in the draft.

I don't know the exact details of it, and someone from Russia can correct me. but KHL draft isn't quite like ours, they have territorial picks where they can protect draft players from their junior system.

Kaprizov going first was more of a function Metalburg finishing last in the KHL than his status as a prospect in Russia at the time.

 

[Firsov99]

There is definitely some risk for a Russian player not join the NHL (or at least not to be readily available). But, I think, for a high pedigree player, this chance is quite small. Poor scouting is at fault. Apparently it's much easier to monitor youngsters playing in the NA leagues then go to Russia (or hire a reputable scout there) to find another gem.

 

[Jayevs]

Pretty sure at the time of the draft it was the Russian factor combined with his size and lack if skating(speed as he’s always had good edge work) if my memory serves me correct

 

[KaprizovSaveUs]

Produced in the KHL in his draft season. Yurov is t even doing that and he’s going to be a top 10 pick. Russian Factor was part of it. The other part is the he’s a small winger that was playing in Siberia. One of our scouts saw him on accident.

 

[Brodeur]

Unrelated, but I didn't know until recently that Minnesota traded back into that draft to take Kaprizov. Hopefully that scout got a raise or a nice steak dinner.

 

[Jacob]

Certainly an oversight. He was already a regular, semi-productive KHLer, nowadays even guys that haven’t yet played beyond the MHL or VHL can go in the 1st or 2nd.

A combination of underrating the strength of the KHL and being overconcerned about his size perhaps.

Brayden Point is a different but similar story. One of the most productive players in his draft year. Scouts, collectively, make a lot of mistakes even still.

 

[Mikeshane]

I can see the size factor being part of it. He's more bold getting into the tough areas and understands how to handle the physicality better than you would expect.